A mistrial has been declared in the wrongful death lawsuit against former Death Row Records boss Suge Knight.
On Wednesday, Compton Superior Court Judge Thomas Long had to make the decision after jurors failed to secure the nine votes needed to reach a verdict. The jury deadlocked 7-5, with the majority voting in favor of finding Knight liable. The lawsuit stems from a 2015 incident where Knight ran over 55-year-old Terry Carter, killing him. He also injured another man, his security guard, Cle “Bone” Sloan. Knight mowed down the men with his truck after an argument and then sped off.
Knight pleaded no contest in September 2018 to voluntary manslaughter for killing Carter. He was subsequently sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Lillian, Carter’s widow, along with her daughters Crystal and Nekaya, were the plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit that has dragged through the legal system since being filed in June 2015. They were seeking $81 million in damages. Last week, their attorney demanded that the judge force Knight to pay the total amount, despite the jury admitting then that they could not come to common ground.
Carter’s family praised the jury for their hard work and said they are not giving up on justice that easily.
“We look forward to trying the case again to get victory for my dad. To get justice,” Crystal stated. Knight’s attorney, David Kenner, said his client was “relieved” by the mistrial.
