5 Key Facts About Suge Knight’s Release Date: The Shocking Truth Behind His 28-Year Sentence

The question of when Marion "Suge" Knight will walk free remains one of the most compelling and frequently searched topics in hip-hop history, given his monumental role as the co-founder of Death Row Records. As of late 2025, the former music mogul is currently serving a lengthy sentence, and the most recent updates confirm that his path to freedom is still nearly a decade away, despite recent legal attempts to overturn his conviction.

The latest legal and correctional records confirm that Suge Knight is incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California. He is serving a 28-year prison sentence, a term that stems from a 2015 fatal hit-and-run incident. This article provides a deep dive into his current status, the details of his conviction, and the definitive date when the hip-hop legend will be eligible to face a parole board.

Marion "Suge" Knight Jr. Biography and Profile

Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. is one of the most polarizing and influential figures in modern music history. His career trajectory from a promising football player to the CEO of a multi-million dollar record label, and finally to a prison inmate, is a dramatic tale that defined the gangsta rap era of the 1990s.

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• Full Name: Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr.
• Born: April 19, 1965 (Compton, California)
• Career Highlight: Co-Founder and former CEO of Death Row Records (1991–1996).
• Key Artists Signed: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur.
• Peak Net Worth: Estimated to be around $100 million to $200 million in the mid-1990s.
• Current Net Worth: Estimated to be around $200,000, a massive decline due to legal fees, lawsuits, and bankruptcy.
• Current Incarceration: Serving a 28-year sentence.
• Location: Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego, California.

The Rise and Fall of Death Row Records

Knight's genius lay in co-founding Death Row Records in 1991 with Dr. Dre and others. The label quickly became a powerhouse, dominating the West Coast rap scene with seminal albums like Dr. Dre's The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle.

The label’s success was inextricably linked to Knight's intimidating presence and business tactics, which often bordered on the criminal. His association with the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, who was riding in Knight’s car when he was shot, further cemented his controversial reputation.

A series of legal troubles, including probation violations for a 1996 assault, led to Knight’s first major prison stint. By the early 2000s, the label was in severe decline, eventually declaring bankruptcy and losing its legendary catalog.

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The Definitive Suge Knight Release Date and Parole Eligibility

The most critical and up-to-date information regarding Suge Knight's incarceration centers on his parole eligibility. Based on his 28-year sentence, there is a clear timeline for his potential freedom, which is still years away.

Fact 1: The Earliest Parole Eligibility is October 2034

Suge Knight will not be eligible for parole until October 2034. This date is based on the 28-year sentence he received in 2018 for the 2015 fatal hit-and-run. At the time of his eligibility, Knight will be 69 years old.

The 28-year sentence is composed of 20 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge, plus an additional eight years due to a "three strikes" law violation because of his lengthy history of prior violent felonies.

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Fact 2: The Manslaughter Conviction is Final After Recent Appeal Denial

In September 2018, Knight pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of businessman Terry Carter. He had been charged with murder, attempted murder, and hit-and-run. The no-contest plea was part of a deal that allowed him to avoid a potential life sentence without parole.

In a major update in March 2025, a Los Angeles County judge denied Knight's attempt to appeal and overturn his 28-year conviction. This denial solidified his sentence and confirmed that the 2034 parole date remains the earliest possible opportunity for release, eliminating any immediate hopes for freedom based on a successful appeal.

Fact 3: The Tragic Details of the Terry Carter Incident

The incident that led to Knight’s current incarceration occurred on January 29, 2015, in Compton, California. Knight was involved in a confrontation with two men, Cle "Bone" Sloan and Terry Carter, outside a burger stand used as a set for the movie Straight Outta Compton.

Knight subsequently ran over both men with his truck. Terry Carter, a 55-year-old businessman and co-founder of Heavyweight Records, was killed in the incident. Cle "Bone" Sloan suffered serious injuries. Knight's defense team repeatedly claimed the act was one of self-defense, arguing he was fleeing a threat, but the plea deal ultimately resulted in the voluntary manslaughter conviction.

The Reality of Suge Knight's Life Behind Bars

While the music world continues to debate his legacy, Suge Knight’s reality is the harsh environment of the California prison system. His time in prison has been marked by health issues and legal battles.

Fact 4: Ongoing Health Concerns in Incarceration

Since his arrest and subsequent transfer to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, Knight has faced several documented health issues. During his trial phase, he was hospitalized multiple times for various ailments, with his legal team frequently citing his poor health as a factor.

Recent photos and reports have sparked public speculation about his current health status, with some noting a significant change in his physical appearance. While the official details of his medical care are private, it is clear that the former music executive is dealing with the physical toll of his long-term incarceration.

Fact 5: The Financial Collapse and Loss of Legacy

The contrast between Suge Knight's peak wealth and his current financial status is staggering. At the height of Death Row’s success, his net worth was in the nine-figure range, making him one of the wealthiest figures in the hip-hop industry.

Today, his net worth is estimated to be only a fraction of that, largely due to massive legal fees, numerous lawsuits, and the eventual bankruptcy of Death Row Records. The label's catalog, which he once controlled, has changed hands multiple times, most recently to Snoop Dogg, one of his former star artists. This final loss of control over the empire he built is a significant part of his downfall, leaving his current financial status a stark reminder of his changed fortunes.

In summary, while the name Suge Knight remains synonymous with a golden era of hip-hop, the facts are indisputable: his earliest potential release date is October 2034. Until then, the former mogul remains behind bars, serving a 28-year sentence for a crime that ended a life and his own freedom.