Knight says he tried to break up MGM fight

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Knight took the stand Monday during a hearing to determine whether his role in the Sept. 6 fight at the MGM Grand was grounds for revoking his parole for a 1995 assault conviction.

Knight faces up to nine years in prison if his probation is revoked.

The 31-year-old former UNLV football player testified that he became worried when Shakur darted from his side to join in a fight with a reputed Compton, Calif., gang member.

"He was a little brother to me. He was always my concern," Knight said of Shakur.

Knight apologized to Superior Court Judge J. Stephen Czueleger before repeating the "cuss words" he used in trying to break up the fight.

"I said, 'Cut that sh-- out, stupid mother f-----' sh--,"' Knight said.

Earlier in the day, Czuleger ruled that the defense cannot use a videotaped re-enactment of the fight.

"What's the difference between this and a made-for-TV movie?" asked Czueleger after viewing the video featuring actors at a martial arts studio.

The hearing began last week and was expected to last through this week, shortened because of Thanksgiving. The defense planned to call three more witnesses.

The martial arts instructor and producer of the re-enactment testified Monday that all of Knight's actions captured by a hotel surveillance camera show the rap music mogul was a neutral participant in the fight.

"There's no evidence in my observation of the tape that shows Mr. Knight (making) any punch or kick," said Kent Moyer, the martial arts instructor.

Moyer said Friday that a frame-by-frame breakdown of Knight's movements on Orlando Anderson shows that Knight's hands were not up and ready for action.

"He's trying to stop the activity from going any further," Moyer testified.

Just hours after the assault on Anderson, Shakur was shot in a drive-by shooting on East Flamingo Road and died six days later. Knight, who was driving, suffered minor injuries from a bullet that grazed his head.

Police have not identified any suspects in the shooting.