Suge Knight Pleads No Contest to Manslaughter Charges

As originally published by Calum Slingerland on Exclaim!

Former rap kingpin and Death Row Records founder Suge Knight has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter.

The Associated Press reports that Knight entered the plea in Los Angeles Superior Court today, and has agreed to serve 28 years in prison. The plea came days before jury selection was set to begin for the case.

In January 2015, Knight was charged with murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run after fleeing the scene of an altercation in which he hit two men with his vehicle.

While in Compton, CA, on the set of a promotional shoot for the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, Knight was involved in a fistfight with film consultant Cle "Bone" Sloan. Upon trying to leave the scene, Knight clipped Sloan with his vehicle and ran over businessman Terry Carter, who died from his injuries.

Knight will serve 22 years in prison on the voluntary manslaughter count, with an added six years for it being a third strike violation due to prior convictions.

Knight will be formally sentenced on October 4.