Legendary Rap Label CEO Target of Forgery Print
Written by Robert ID1654   
Sunday, 10 July 2005 23:36

The man accused of forging the name of Death Row Records founder and CEO Marion 'suge'' Knight on a $15,000 check has had charges against him dropped

Dana Lydell Smith, 34, was charged with forgery and theft after cashing the check at a credit card service center in Riverdale.

Police said the loss was suffered by a finance company in California, not by legendary hip-hop and rap mougel Marion ‘Suge’ Knight.

The charges were dismissed after an official from the California bank backed out one day before Smith's trial was to begin in 2nd District Court last month.

Prosecutors had not issued a subpoena because the company had indicated it planned to cooperate in the prosecution.

Trial originally had been scheduled in February, but was postponed when Smith's defense attorney asked for psychological examinations when Smith began demanding he subpoena long-dead musicians such as legendary reggae artist Bob Marley and rocks late Mama Cass.

Smith was eventually found competent to stand trial.

He is now in Idaho, where he is being held on an auto theft charge. He was arrested last fall while awaiting trial in Ogden.

Deputy Weber County Attorney Sandra Corp it is possible the Utah charges could be refiled but it is not likely since Smith likely would do more time on the auto theft charge in Idaho than he would on the forgery charge in Utah.