Suge Knight loses bid to overturn 28-year prison sentence

A judge denied Suge Knight’s appeal to overturn his 28-year sentence, ruling he waited too long and lacked merit.

Former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight has failed to overturn his 28-year prison sentence after a Los Angeles County judge denied his appeal request.

Judge Laura F. Priver ruled that Knight waited too long to file his appeal, rejecting claims that improper legal representation caused the delay. “It is clear that the petitioner was not as isolated or as helpless to act as he wishes this court to believe,” Priver stated, noting that Knight had previously filed other legal motions without issue.

Knight’s attorney, David Kenner, strongly disagreed with the ruling, calling it “shocking and unconscionable.” He argued that the court “grossly erred” in its decision and did not follow proper legal procedures.

Knight, 59, is serving a 28-year sentence in San Diego after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2018. The case stemmed from a 2015 hit-and-run incident in which Knight struck and killed businessman Terry Carter. Prosecutors argued Knight intentionally ran over Carter following a dispute linked to Straight Outta Compton, while Knight claimed he was fleeing an attack.

Knight cited challenges such as his prison conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and losing sight in one eye as reasons for his delayed appeal. It remains unclear if he will have another opportunity to challenge his conviction.