By Ezra Marcus
Suge Knight appears as a character in the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton, which opened over the weekend.
In an interview with TheWrap, Knight’s lawyer Tom Mesereau claims that Knight—currently incarcerated on a murder charge—wouldn’t approve of the film if he could see it.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t like it because a lot of it is exaggerated and silly and ridiculous,” Mesereau explains.
He goes on to list a multitude of positive aspects of his client’s behavior that he believes have been ignored in favor of painting an image of Knight as a criminal.
Related: Suge Knight Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charge
“A lot of the media does not realize how many good things he did for people, particularly in his community,” Mesereau notes. “He financed athletic facilities in schools. He gave money to the homeless, money to people in need. He tried to arrange truces on the streets so people weren’t killed….He funded funerals for families who were devastated by violence. He used to give a dinner every year for single moms in Compton to recognize their courage and their achievement. He’s a good person, and this will come out in due time.”
Related: ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Almost Didn’t Get Made. Ice Cube Explains Why
When asked about the hit-and-run incident which left one dead and another injured, Mesereau claimed Knight was acting in self-defense:
“The only comment I have on these facts was that he was ambushed, he was defending himself at all times and he will be vindicated,” he explained.
