LOS ANGELES (AP) - Witnesses can visit Death Row Records head
Marion "Suge" Knight in jail to help him prepare for a court
hearing, a judge ruled Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge William Rea granted the defense request,
although he did wonder "why 10 people have to go in and see the
defendant."
Prosecutors did not oppose the request.
The revocation hearing is scheduled for Monday. Knight was
sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to federal charges of
firearms trafficking in 1994. Federal prosecutors contend he
violated probation by smoking marijuana.
Knight has been jailed since last month, when a judge revoked
his state probation in a 1992 assault case. The 31-year-old Knight
was ordered to remain in jail for a three-month "diagnostic
evaluation" until he is sentenced Feb. 28. He could receive a
nine-year sentence.
Knight had pleaded no contest in 1995 to assaulting two rap
entertainers at a Hollywood recording studio. He was placed on five
years probation and warned to stay off drugs and obey all laws.
The Superior Court judge ruled that Knight violated that order
by taking part in a fight at a Las Vegas hotel on Sept. 7. Hours
later, rap star Tupac Shakur was shot in a drive-by attack as he
rode in Knight's car. Shakur died a few days later. Knight was
slightly wounded in the attack.
December 11, 1996
Judge says Knight can have visitors in jail