Rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight would be more suited to await trial in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where detainees have better living conditions, his attorney claimed Thursday.
While filing an appeal to overturn jail restrictions he described as “outrageous,” Knight’s attorney, Matthew Fletcher, said the conditions at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles are worse than GITMO, the New York Daily News reports.
Fletcher specifically takes issue with restrictions to Knight’s visitor access.
According to the lawyer, the Death Row Records founder, who’s been charged with murder and attempted murder from an incident that took place in Compton, California in January, is being kept “virtually incommunicado,” with no phone privileges and no visits from his family or witnesses vital to his defense.
Fletcher alleges a potential expert witness in the case, a forensic deconstructionist, has not been allowed to visit Knight, which is hurting his chances of proving he’s innocent.
“If experts can’t speak to him, they can’t do their job. We will never be able to present a defense,” Fletcher told the Daily News. “This truly should shock people.”
He continued: “This is the most important time for him to have access to lawyers and experts. He’s supposed to be innocent until proven guilty… They wouldn’t allow this at Guantanamo Bay.”
The Daily News reports Fletcher also complained Knight is currently sleeping on the floor of his cell because his mattress is too small for him.
TheWrap reports Fletcher previously complained Knight had been treated poorly in jail by being denied access to hot water and a blanket. Knight reportedly suffers from diabetes, glaucoma, and a blood clot near one of his lungs and allegedly has not received treatment that is in his best interests.
A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reportedly denied Fletcher’s claims and said Knight is “receiving the appropriate treatment.” That includes multiple blankets, access to hot water, new linens, showers, and medications.
Knight may have also suffered a stroke during his time in custody but has refused an MRI, citing a bullet lodged in his skull.
The bullet has reportedly been in Knight’s head since Sept. 7, 1996, when he was shot in Las Vegas, NV alongside rapper Tupac Shakur, who later died from his wounds.
“They had IVs in both of (Knight’s) arms and were attempting to give him an MRI,” his attorney also said Thursday. “He refused. It could kill him. It’s a powerful magnet that could suck the bullet through your head.”
Investigators claim Knight intentionally ran over Terry Carter and Cle “Bone” Sloan with his truck in a fast food parking lot after an argument. Carter later died.
Knight has pleaded not guilty to the charges and claims the act was done in self-defense.
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