Judge May Put Death Row Records Into Receivership

A judge said Thursday that Death Row Records would be placed in receivership unless label founder Marion “Suge” Knight appeared at a debtor hearing next month.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald M. Sohigian ruled in a lawsuit by an imprisoned drug dealer seeking half of a $107-million award to the inmate’s ex-wife, who said that she helped start the rap record empire and that Knight owed her the money.

Michael “Harrio” Harris, who is serving a 28-year sentence at San Quentin State Prison, is claiming half the award as community property in his divorce from Lydia Harris. He also says he put up $1.5 million from behind bars to help start the record label, a claim that Knight has repeatedly denied.

Lydia Harris received the judgment a year ago, and the parties have been fighting in court since.

In a contentious hearing, attorneys for Michael Harris accused Knight of trying to evade his legal obligations by failing to show up for debtor examinations three times. Knight also was absent from Thursday’s hearing.

Sohigian said the motion for receivership was granted but stayed its effect pending Knight’s April 1 appearance. Sohigian also enjoined Knight from transferring or concealing any assets.