Hip-hop producer Marion "Suge" Knight, who is accused of killing a man in a Jan. 29 hit and run, collapsed during a hearing in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The 49-year old Death Row Records founder appeared to lose consciousness shortly after Judge Ronald Coen set his bail at $25 million.
Knight is being charged with murder, attempted murder and two counts of hit-and-run, with an allegation that he committed a violent felony while out on bail in another case.
The prosecution argued that Knight was "incapable of stopping his violent criminal behavior," presenting a near 300-page legal document in support of their claims. The prosecutors said that since Knight's release from prison in 2002, the rap mogul has "continued his life of repugnant crime."
Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Barnes asserted that "$25 million may be financial incentive enough to stop this behavior."
Knight's left shoulder appeared to be twitching through the course of the hearing, and according to his lawyer, Matthew Fletcher, Knight was "sweating like a pig" before passing out. Fletcher also revealed that Knight did not get any breakfast on the morning of the hearing. He alleged that his client, who has diabetes, glaucoma and a blood clot near his lung, was not receiving medication or decent living conditions.
An ambulance took Knight to a prison hospital ward for evaluation.
Knight is accused of running over 55-year-old Terry Carter, who was killed, as well as Cle "Bone" Sloan, 51, who was injured. Knight claims the hit and run was an accident, and he was just trying to get away from an armed assault.
Initially, Knight's bail was $2 million but was revoked in February when the prosecution argued that he was a flight risk with "witness intimidation issues." Knight's lawyer called the $25 million bail "absurd" and "ludicrous" in his arguments and requesting the "more reasonable" $2 million bail instead.
Judge Coen has scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 13.
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