The legal troubles continue to pile up for former Death Row Records boss Suge Knight.The rap kingpin was in court again this past Tuesday (Oct. 27) to plead not guilty in the robbery case against him and comedian Katt Williams. It was brief but notable when the two appeared in court together and re-submitted their pleas.
Just two weeks ago, Judge Ronald Coen had reached the decision that the two stand trial for the robbery of paparazzi photographer Leslie Redden, according to Billboard. The original crime occurred in September 2014 when Redden attempted to take photographs of the former rap mogul's son in an L.A. nightclub. New video footage also recently surfaced of Knight ordering the robbery, assisted by Williams and two unidentified women.
Coen appears to be throwing the book at Knight and spoke sternly on the incident in court where he lifted a sign for the cameras wishing his son a happy birthday. Billboard reported that the judge said, "If he does it again, I will shackle his hands to a chair," and Knight subsequently made note. The judge's frustration likely stems from just how difficult it has been to actually have Knight appear in court.
The former rap mogul has had mysterious medical afflictions several times in the courtroom, and once fought against leaving his cell when he was due for an appearance. Coen subsequently signed an order compelling authorities to force Knight into court if he presented difficulties. Knight's legal representation asserted that wounds sustained in a nightclub shoot-out he was invovled with were behind the medical difficulties.
Billboard reports that Knight's lawyer Thomas Meserau asserts the threats recorded on camera were understandable, saying, "The only evidence that exists is that he didn't want his son photographed. Any father would have acted as he did."
The video footage direct from Redden captured a verbal confrontation, but there is no recorded evidence that Knight himself stole the camera.
For the time being, Knight will remain in jail with bail set at $10 million. The high amount stems from the murder charges he racked up after running over two men with his car in Compton this past July. One of the men died and an advisor from the film Straight Outta Compton was gravely injured. Knight's lawyers claim that once again it was not his fault and that he was attempting to escape from assailants. As it stands, a hearing early in December (Dec. 11) has been set in order to review the case further.
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