Michael Sanft

“What they are telling you, they're representing it to be a fact when it really is fiction,”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-22

Michael Sanft argued in his opening statement that the prosecution's claims are fiction.

“And it's up to you to determine what the facts are in this case.”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-22

Michael Sanft told the jury that it is their role to determine the facts of the case.

“What facts do you have to support any of what Keffe D said in any of his interviews or the book?”

Michael Sanft · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Defense lawyer Michael Sanft challenged the jury regarding the credibility of Duane Davis' prior statements.

“You have to ask yourself the question: If I just say things, is that going to end up being one of those things where I'm going to be handed up for a murder by just repeating that fiction? I keep repeating that? The answer is no. You have to corroborate everything I say in order for it to be true. Otherwise, it's just that.”

Michael Sanft · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Defense lawyer Michael Sanft argued to the jury that Duane Davis' claims required independent corroboration to be considered true.

“Do you know who it was that was there?”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-18 · reported 2026-08-19

Sanft pressed McDonald about eyewitnesses to the shooting.

“And then you became general manager,”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-18 · reported 2026-08-19

Sanft questioned Reggie Wright Jr about how his role at Death Row Records grew after Suge Knight left the label.

“It’s because they knew he was full of crap,”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-19

Sanft argued to the jury that authorities didn't charge Davis after his 2008 interview because they doubted his account.

“What facts do they have after 30 years?”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-18

Davis's lawyer challenged the strength of the prosecution's case three decades after the shooting.

“We all have a family member who’s like that.”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-17

Sanft responded to a question about disparaging his own client as 'full of crap.'

“That’s just not how it works.”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-17

Sanft spoke outside court at the end of the trial's first day about the passage of time.

“The length of time is going to be a huge problem for people trying to recall things, to remember things,”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-17

Sanft told reporters outside court that the 30 years since the killing would hamper witness recollections.

“What they are telling you, they are representing as fact, when it’s really fiction,”

Michael Sanft · said 2026-08-17 · reported 2026-08-17

Sanft attacked the prosecution's narrative as fiction during the defense opening statement.