Don King’s involuntary manslaughter charges were revisited in the latest SNL Cold Open, as Kenan Thompson stepped into the boxing promoter’s shoes.
The latest Saturday Night Live (SNL) Cold Open centered on the indictment of former US President Donald Trump. Spoofing the J6 Prison Choir – whose charity single is raising legal funds for those charged in relation to the January 6 Capitol attack – the Cold Open conjured up a fictional album fronted by Trump and the choir.
Donald Trump impersonator James Austin Johnson introduces Thompson’s Don King as one of his album collaborators.
“So funny with the big hair,” Johnson starts. “Murdered a guy, can you believe it?” This prompted some viewers to revisit the involuntary manslaughter charge King faced in real life.
Don King faced manslaughter charge after 1967 death
In 1967, Don King was found guilty of second-degree murder for killing a gambling associate who owed him money. The associate reportedly owed King $600, although King claims it was $900.
King was sentenced to 15 years in prison, however his charge was later reduced from second-degree murder to manslaughter, and his sentence reflected the change.
The boxing promoter, who was connected to the likes of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, served just three years and 11 months in Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio. King was released in September 1971 and later pardoned by the governor of Ohio in 1983.
Who did Don King kill?
Don King was charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Sam Garrett, who was reported to be both a gambling associate and an employee. Garrett died five days after succumbing to injuries inflicted by King.
Thirteen years before King was charged with the death of Garrett, he shot and killed Hillary Brown. In 1954, Hillary Brown attempted to rob King on the street. In response, King shot Brown. This was ruled as a justifiable homicide by the courts considering Brown had attempted to rob King. Famed boxing promoter Don King received no sentence for the death of Hillary Brown.
Don King and Donald Trump link goes beyond SNL Cold Open
The SNL writing team didn’t just pick Don King to feature in the latest Cold Open out of thin air. King has long been associated with former president Donald Trump, endorsing him in years past. He even accompanied Trump for some of his 2016 campaign trail.
However, their link goes beyond political alignment. The two businessmen have been working together for decades. They even collaborated to host a series of Mike Tyson fights at Trump’s Atlantic City casinos.
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