Knight Abandons Mansion Expansion

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Rap music mogul Marion "Suge'' Knight has abandoned plans to expand his mansion atop a hill in the San Fernando Valley because of neighborhood opposition, officials said.

Knight was planning to build a movie theater, pool and other amenities at the 9,000-square-foot structure. He has since withdrawn his request and wants to complete construction of the unfinished home, said Ana Vidal, an assistant city planner.

Neighbors were worried Knight, who founded Death Row Records, would throw loud parties at the house. Knight never planned to move into the mansion, according to his company, but wants to use it as a "positive'' environment for children.

The construction still needs approval from a design review board. The matter will be discussed on Thursday.

Construction began several years ago but stopped after Knight, 36, went to prison in 1996. He was released in August after serving five years for violating probation by getting into a fight in a Las Vegas hotel.

The altercation occurred hours before rap star Tupac Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting as he rode in Knight's car. Shakur was on the Death Row label.