“Suge” Knight

LOS ANGELES — Marion “Suge” Knight lost another defense lawyer — his 15th — on Friday and the three-year wait for his murder trial to start will grow even longer.

Judge Ronald Coen released attorney Dominique Banos, citing a conflict of interest.

Banos said outside court that she had told the judge she believes she is a target in the witness-tampering investigation that led to the indictment and removal of two of Knight's lawyers. She denied any wrongdoing and said she regretted leaving a case she felt was winnable.

The moment Coen finished announcing the dismissal, Knight launched into an animated, minutes-long monologue denouncing prosecutors and jail officials, saying their investigations and the limitations put on his visitors and phone calls have forced him to blow through attorneys and settle for bad ones.

Coen, who has warned Knight to let his attorneys do the talking in court, finally intervened and said, “You need to take a deep breath, Mr. Knight.”

The judge appointed a 16th attorney, Robert DeBlanc, who Knight reluctantly accepted on an interim basis. Knight said he has already privately hired yet another lawyer, without giving his name.

The Death Row Records co-founder has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder for running over two men outside a Compton burger stand in 2015.

Banos was also released as Knight's attorney in a hearing that immediately followed on an unrelated robbery case where he has also struggled to keep attorneys.

The moment Coen finished announcing the dismissal, Knight launched into an animated, minutes-long monologue denouncing prosecutors and jail officials, saying their investigations and the limitations put on his visitors and phone calls have forced him to blow through attorneys and settle for bad ones.Coen, who has warned Knight to let his attorneys do the talking in court, finally intervened and said, “You need to take a deep breath, Mr. Knight.”The judge appointed a 16th attorney, Robert DeBlanc, who Knight reluctantly accepted on an interim basis. Knight said he has already privately hired yet another lawyer, without giving his name.The Death Row Records co-founder has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder for running over two men outside a Compton burger stand in 2015.Banos was also released as Knight's attorney in a hearing that immediately followed on an unrelated robbery case where he has also struggled to keep attorneys.

<br />LOS ANGELES — A representative for Lorna Luft said the singer has had successful brain surgery after being diagnosed with a tumor.Victoria Varela told The Associated Press on Thursday that Luft had the surgery to remove the tumor on Tuesday at a hospital in Los Angeles and is expected to be released soon.The daughter of Judy Garland and sister of Liza Minnelli collapsed earlier this month backstage after a concert and was diagnosed with a brain tumor.Varela said Luft thanks her fans for their support and also her doctors for taking good care of her. Luft said she plans to reschedule her concerts in England.Luft also is in remission after fighting breast cancer.

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