Celebrity news website TMZ recently obtained and posted graphic surveillance footage of former rap music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight running over two men with his pickup truck, and the Death Row Records co-founder hopes the video will somehow help prove he is not guilty of murder or attempted murder. While Knight’s lawyer believes the footage clearly shows that he was attacked first “without question,” prosecutors believe it provides evidence of the “senseless act of violence” which led to 55-year-old Terry Carter’s death.

In the surveillance video released by TMZ, viewers can see Knight’s truck knocking a man down as it was reversing from a Compton fast food restaurant’s parking lot. Knight’s truck then sped forward, running over the fallen man later identified as Terry Carter, and a second man, film consultant Cle “Bone” Sloan. Knight was reportedly asked to leave the parking lot because a promotional video was being shot nearby for the N.W.A. Authorities biopic Straight Outta Compton, and the footage shows Knight and Sloan arguing about the film before the Death Row Records co-founder started driving and mysterious commotion in the cabin of Knight’s truck. This argument has prompted authorities to accuse the Knight of intentionally killing Carter and seriously injuring Sloan. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges, but he could face up to life in prison if convicted.

Knight’s lawyer Matthew Fletcher told reporters after a Monday court hearing that he was happy the TMZ footage was released, because he thinks it will help his client’s defense.

“I told ‘Suge’: ‘This helps you beyond any stretch of the imagination,'” said Fletcher. “They attacked ‘Suge’ without question.”

Terry Carter’s family’s attorney, Gary Dordick, thinks the film will actually assist the prosecution. Dordick told the Associated Press that it shows “a senseless act of violence” and proves Knight chose to “retaliate using his motor vehicle as a deadly weapon” when he could have simply driven away to a place of safety.

Los Angeles sheriff’s spokeswoman Nicole Nishida confirmed Monday that the video is in possession of sheriff’s detectives, and is being used in the investigation.