Ice Cube and Dr. Dre Want No Part of Suge Knight's Wrongful Death Suit
As their film Straight Outta Compton continues to top the box office nationwide, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube are actively trying to distance themselves from the incident involving Suge Knight that occurred back in January, leaving one man dead.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dre and Cube have filed court papers demanding they be released from a lawsuit over the incident which occurred in Compton during the movie's filming. Knight, who has been arrested, ran over one of the film's technical advisers, Cle "Bone" Sloan, and Compton businessman, Terry Carter, with his pickup truck. Carter passed away following the incident.
Carter's passing led to a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit by his widow, who filed a complaint in June stating that the "tragic tale of how reckless corporate greed, disguised as a quest for authenticity, lead to a foreseeable altercation that resulted in the death of a successful businessman named Terry Carter, and left his wife of 28 years, and his two daughters asking why his death ever had to occur."
As briefly depicted in the film, Dr. Dre and Suge Knight have been at odds since the super-producer left Death Row Records. Dre has since filed a restraining order against Knight. Their feud was allegedly reignited in January when Knight showed up during a commercial shoot for Straight Outta Compton, complaining about his portrayal and financial participation in the film.
The lawsuit against those involved in the film claims the defendants should have been aware of the bad blood between Dre and Knight and should have, thus, made the necessary precautions and security provisions to ensure a safe environment. The suit also alleges that Dre and Cube are responsible for Sloan's alleged boisterous altercation with Knight.
Dre and Cube stated in a demurrer, filed last week, that they committed no malfeasance, and only made a "specific request" that Sloan direct Knight to the exit. They continued this "did not create undue risks for anyone, let alone Carter."
Meanwhile, Knight's attorney, Thomas Mesereau, recently blasted the film. According to Time, he believes that the movie is not as true-to-life as its producers and actors paint it to be. While Knight is unable to view the film for himself, as he is currently in prison, Mesereau spoke on his behalf, saying his client would not approve. "I'm sure he wouldn't like it because it is exaggerated and silly and ridiculous," he said. "A lot of the media does not realize how many good things he did for people, particularly in his community... He's a good person, and this will come out in due time."
Suge Knight is currently awaiting trial for the murder of Carter and the attempted murder of Sloan. The former N.W.A members remain adamant they have absolutely no connection with the actions leading to Carter's death and argue that public policy and common sense can't demand "tolerating the presence of a dangerous and violent criminal with a grudge."
Watch our interview with the film's director F. Gary Gray below:
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(Photos from left: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
