A civil trial for the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Suge Knight has ended in mistrial. The suit stems from an incident in 2015 on the set of Straight Outta Compton. According to the Los Angeles Times, the jury was split seven to five in favour of the plaintiff and was unable to come to a verdict.
The Suge Knight case stems from an incident on the set of Straight Outta Compton, which involved Knight, Terry Carter and Cle ‘Bone’ Sloan. Carter and Sloan apparently got into a dispute on set. Knight then drove his truck into the two men, killing Carter.
Lillian Carter, Terry Carter’s widow, and his two daughters, Crystal and Nekaya, were present for each day of the trial. Following the mistrial judgement, they told Rolling Stone that they intend to bring the case again. “It’s unfortunate, but the jury worked very hard,” Crystal said. “It feels good to know we were the majority. We look forward to trying the case again to get victory for my dad. To get justice.”
David Kenner, Knight’s lawyer, told Rolling Stone that his client, who is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to the voluntary manslaughter of Carter was “relieved.” Knight was initially charged with murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run. Knight has been handed a 22-year sentence for the voluntary manslaughter of Carter and an additional six years because the offence is a third-strike violation.
Discussing the mistrial verdict, Kenner said: “He finally got to tell his side of the story. He had a viable defence. This case had two sides to it. Of all the history of Suge Knight and Death Row, this was not the case that should have been utilized to shut him down.”
