Even Suge Knight's Former Lawyers Need Lawyers After Indictment on Conspiracy Charges

Two attorneys who formerly represented embattled former rap mogul Suge Knight have been indicted on conspiracy charges to bribe potential witnesses in hopes of freeing Knight, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Monday.

According to the DA’s office, Matthew Fletcher and Thaddeus Culpepper have been indicted on one count each of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit subornation of perjury, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact.

Culpepper also faces two additional conspiracy charges while Fletcher has been charged with an additional count of perjury.

Also Read: Suge Knight's Girlfriend Cops Plea in Hit-and-Run Video Case

Fletcher is accused of trying to pay off people who could provide favorable testimony at Knight’s trial, allegedly telling Knight that it would cost $20,000 to $25,000 to secure his freedom.

Knight was arrested after hitting Terry Carter and Cle “Bone” Sloan in his truck in a Compton, California, parking lot in 2015, killing Carter and injuring Sloan. Knight has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder, asserting that acted in self-defense.He is currently awaiting trial.

According to the district attorney’s office, Fletcher told Knight that Sloan should be paid off for his testimony.

Also Read: Tupac Shakur Might Still Be Alive, Suge Knight Says (Video)

The district attorney’s office also said that Culpepper was allegedly told by a confidential informant in 2016 that he would be willing to testify that he saw weapons at the murder scene, even though the informant wasn’t at the scene at the time of the crime. Culpepper and Knight allegedly agreed to use the informant as a defense witness at trial.

Both attorneys face a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in jail if convicted as charged.

In a statement to TheWrap, Fletcher’s representative, attorney Mark Geragos, called the indictment “ill-conceived” and “just wrong.”

“This Indictment both legally and factually is ill-conceived and just wrong. Besides the blatant violation of the Attorney Client privilege the whole process leading up to the Indictment unsealed today is fatally flawed,” Geragos said. “Even more troubling is the chilling effect of the practice of criminal defense work.”

TheWrap has also reached out to Culpepper for comment.

Also Read: Suge Knight Pleads Not Guilty to Threatening 'Straight Outta Compton' Director

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

'Straight Outta Compton' and 9 Other Hip-Hop Movies That Were Ballers at the Box Office (Photos)

"Straight Outta Compton" (2015)
The biopic about the rise and fall of N.W.A blazed into box-office history with a $60.2 million debut, the biggest opening ever for an R-rated film in August.
Universal
"8 Mile" (2002)
The drama, about a struggling young rapper (Eminem), made $116.8 million domestically at the box office. With a budget of $41 million, this hip-hop movie was a big baller for Universal.
Universal
"Notorious" (2009)
Chronicling the life and death of rap icon Notorious B.I.G., the film had a budget of $20 million and made $36.8 million domestically. It starred Jamal Woolard and Derek Luke.
20th Century Fox
"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (2005)
50 Cent starred in this semi-autobiographical drama about a drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue a career in rap. It made $30 million domestically off a $40 million budget.
Paramount Pictures
"Brown Sugar" (2002)
This movie about a magazine editor who falls in love with a hip-hop record exec starred Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan and Mos Def. It made $27.3 million off a budget of $8 million.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Bulworth" (1998)
Warren Beatty directs and stars in this drama about a politician who decides to start speaking the truth and using rap music to get his point across. Isaiah Washington and Halle Berry co-starred in the film, which made $26.5 million at the domestic box office. However, it had a $30 million budget.
20th Century Fox
"Hustle & Flow" (2005)
Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning and Taraji P. Henson star in the Oscar-winning film about a Memphis pimp who strives to become a successful hip-hop MC. It made $22.2 million domestically on a $2.8 million budget.
Paramount Classics
"CB4" (1993)
Chris Rock co-wrote and starred in this "mockumentary" about the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson and Dead Mike, members of the rap group CB4. It grossed $17.9 million at the box office.
Universal
"Beat Street" (1984)
The movie centers around an aspiring DJ from the Bronx who tries to expose people to hip-hop. The film grossed $16.6 million at the domestic box office.
Orion Pictures
"Krush Groove" (1985)
The drama is based on the early days of Def Jam and follows Russell Walker as he manages up-and-coming acts, which included Run-D.M.C. It starred the real members of Run-D.M.C. and and the Fat Boys. It grossed about $11 million at the box office on a $3 million budget.
Warner Bros.