Knight case victim’s family files lawsuit
The wife of the man who died after Marion “Suge” Knight allegedly plowed over him in a pickup truck during filming of a commercial for “Straight Outta Compton” has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the former rap impresario and key figures involved in the film, including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
Lillian Carter alleged in a lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court that the Jan. 29 death of her husband, Terry Carter, was a preventable tragedy resulting from negligence on the part of Dre, Ice Cube and Universal Studios — the distributor of “Straight Outta Compton.”
The suit alleged that Universal and others involved in the film knew of long-standing tension between Knight and Dre, who together cofounded Death Row Records, but allowed the film to move forward even after Knight objected to his portrayal in the film.
Universal also is accused of negligently hiring Cle “Bone” Sloan — an advisor to the film who helped smooth over relations with gang members in Compton, allowing the film to be shot there. Universal, Dre and Ice Cube knew that Sloan had been feuding with Knight, the suit alleged.
A quarrel between Knight and Sloan precipitated Carter’s death in the Tam’s Burger parking lot, the complaint says. Sloan, 51, also was struck and injured by the pickup truck.
The lawsuit blames Universal, Dre, Ice Cube and others for allowing production to continue in Compton in areas prone to crime.
“Reckless corporate greed, disguised as the quest for authenticity, led to a foreseeable altercation that re- sulted in the death of a successful businessman named Terry Carter,” according to the complaint, which seeks unspecified damages.
Carl E. Douglas, one of the attorneys representing Lillian Carter and her two adult daughters, said: “They were all aware of Suge’s violent past and his propensity for violence. We allege it was foreseeable that some confrontation would occur.”
The suit also names the owner of the pickup truck driven by Knight, who allegedly lacked a driver’s license at the time of Carter’s death, and faults the owner with negligently entrusting her car to Knight.
Universal Studios and a representative for Ice Cube could not be reached for comment. Howard E. King, a longtime attorney representing Dre, could not be reached for comment.
In response to the suit, Knight’s attorney, Thomas Mesereau, told the Los Angeles Times: “Mr. Knight denies any liability whatsoever. He was defending himself at all times.”
Knight is being held in an L.A. County jail and has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in Carter’s death.