The rap mogul did not give reason for Culpepper's dismissal when he appeared in court yesterday (May 10) to announce the decision. Culpepper was Knight's fifth lawyer. A judge threatened that there would be possible consequences for the attorney after he alleged that the justice system was violating Knight's constitutional rights for cutting off phone and visitation access. The judge said that Culpepper could be held in contempt of court if he continued making those claims, saying the restrictions were for security purposes.
Knight will now be represented by Lessem, Newstat & Tooson in the case, which is centered around a January 2015 hit-and-run. The former head of Death Row Records reportedly ran over three people, killing Terry Carter and seriously injuring Cle "Bone" Sloan. The incident happened after Knight visited the set of the N.W.A biopic, Straight Outta Compton. The new legal team says that its client acted in self-defense.
"We strongly caution anyone from rushing to judgment in this case based on Mr. Knight’s past,” J. Tooson says. “We believe the evidence will show that on the day in question, Mr. Knight was ambushed by several perpetrators armed with firearms. While under attack, Mr. Knight attempted to flee for his life."
The team will appear in court for a pretrial hearing May 23.
Culpepper is still expected to be part of Knight's legal team as co-counselor. He is representing Knight in a separate robbery case where he and Katt Williams reportedly stole a paparazzi member's camera.
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