Sean “Diddy” Combs’ longtime rival Suge Knight is currently incarcerated after a 2015 hit-and-run
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Suge Knight has spoken out after his name was mentioned several dozen times during the federal sex trafficking trial of his longtime rival, Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Knight, who co-founded iconic West Coast label Death Row Records, is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence in California after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2018 in connection with a 2015 hit-and-run.
During Combs’ high-profile trial, Knight has been referenced several times, particularly regarding an incident when Combs allegedly went to confront his rival after he was spotted at a Los Angeles diner.
Following the numerous mentions of the west coast mogul’s name, ABC News spoke to Knight and he provided his thoughts on the serious allegations Combs now faces. (The outlet reported that Knight’s name has been mentioned at least 50 times during the trial.)
“If you’re going to make [Combs] answer, make everyone answer,” Knight told ABC, in reference to the allegations that the Bad Boy Records founder leveraged others’ careers in exchange for sexual favors.
Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty.
“I think it’d be a great thing to let Puffy tell his truth,” Knight told ABC. “Tell the real truth, and bring everybody accountable.”
Similarly, Knight told CNN he believes Combs should take the stand at his trial.
“I feel if he does tell his truth, he really would walk,” Knight told CNN. “If [Combs] goes up there and says, ‘Hey, I did all the drugs, I wasn’t in control of my life at the time, or myself’ – he can humanize his old self and the jury might give him a shot.”
In his interview with ABC, Knight also referenced Combs’ alleged mistreatments of his subordinates.
“Don’t get me wrong, he did terrible things, but he just didn’t come up with those stuff and those ideas on his own,” Knight told ABC. “I don’t feel that they should take Puffy and lock him up and throw away the key. I think he can do so much good right now, him telling the truth about the industry.”
Knight also told the outlet that he had sympathy for Combs, who could face up to life in prison if convicted.
“I feel that people in [Combs’] life, going on his journey growing up, they failed him,” Knight said. “Do I think he made some mistakes? I think he repeats what he’s seen. He repeats what he learnt.”
