Rap Mogul Knight Released from Jail

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Death Row Records founder Marion "Suge" Knight, who was jailed in December for alleged parole violations, won his release on Tuesday from a California prison board but was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, reports Reuters.

The rap mogul, 37, had earlier served five years in prison for assault and weapons violations.

His recent 61-day jail term was factored into his community-service time, says the news service, noting that the state Board of Prison Terms could have kept him behind bars for up to a year. He was charged with associating with known gang members, which was in violation of his parole terms.

"(Knight) and I were both very pleased with the result," defense attorney David Chesnoff told reporters.

"We appreciate the fairness of the proceedings. I'm just sorry he had to be in custody for two months but happy he's going back to work," the lawyer added.

Knight, who denied the parole-violation charges against him, testified during Tuesday's lengthy hearing, which was conducted at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles. It was closed to the press.

The "gangsta" rap mogul, who had been convicted of assault for a 1996 fight in a casino, allegedly violated his parole by failing to alert officials to his having moved to Malibu and hiring drivers and bodyguards who were not approved by state authorities.