News of May 14, 2002
"LAbyrinth": Randall Sullivan's Book Relies on Former Investigator Russell Poole
In spring 2002, Randall Sullivan's "LAbyrinth" appeared. It follows ex-detective Russell Poole's theory that Suge Knight was behind both murders.
A new book levels serious allegations against the Los Angeles Police Department. In LAbyrinth, journalist Randall Sullivan follows former LAPD detective Russell Poole, who had resigned from the force over the investigations into the Biggie case and sued the department. Salon reviewed the roughly 300-page book on May 14, 2002. It originated from an article Sullivan had published in Rolling Stone in June 2001.
Poole’s Theory
According to Poole’s account, Suge Knight was behind the murders of Tupac and Biggie. Tupac reportedly wanted to leave Death Row. Biggie’s murder was allegedly orchestrated through LAPD officer David Mack, who was incarcerated for a bank robbery. Police leadership around Chief Bernard Parks allegedly protected officers with ties to Death Row to avoid a scandal. These are claims by a single investigator, not judicial findings.
Harsh Criticism
Reviewer Eric Boehlert considered the book one-sided. Poole had the first and last word almost everywhere, and independent corroboration was lacking. A former colleague called Poole’s theory a “joke”. The book overlooked the main reason both cases remained unsolved: witnesses who did not want to talk.