Dr. Dre & Ice Cube Might Get Last Laugh In Jerry Heller “Straight Outta Compton” War

Former N.W.A. members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube might be off the hook in their publicized legal showdown with late ex-manager Jerry Heller. New reports claim Heller’s Straight Outta Compton lawsuit could be sidelined indefinitely.

According to reports, Heller’s recent death may have Cube and Doc off the hook.

Without a plaintiff, the lawsuit that accuses Straight Outta Compton of defaming former NWA manager Jerry Heller may not proceed, according to a Monday court filing. Although the court has tossed most of the complaint during the course of the proceedings, there is still one claim that survives: that Heller was portrayed as exploiting an unsophisticated young artist by discouraging him from hiring a lawyer during contract negotiations. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Last month, Heller’s attorney Mickey Shapiro promised to pursue legal action over his late client’s Straight Outta Compton movie portrayal.

“I think some of the things that were said about him in that movie literally broke his heart. There are more than one, what we call causes of action, that means claims, one claim of course is for defamation where you just lie about someone and defame them. That case is going to be somewhat altered because future damages can’t be demonstrated because he’s not there but we can still prove the defamation. We’re going to do that – the other parts of the case aren’t affected by his death at all. His lawsuit against Tomica for violating a confidentiality agreement, that’s a fact.” (TMZ)

https://youtu.be/wYv4z_mhYwM

Shapiro also believed Straight Outta Compton jacked published moments from Heller without permission.

“The lawsuit against everyone in the studios for taking material from his book, which he wrote years before, and lifting it out of the book and putting it into the movie and changing it for dramatic impact. The guy was the good guy. They made him out to be a horrible exploiter. … It was like his whole reason for being a manager was just being demonized. They made him a contemporary slaveholder. He wasn’t that. No one cared about that group. No one cared about that group. Jerry Heller cared about that group – every record company turned them down.” (TMZ)

Recent reports claimed medical complications, not the car crash, ultimately took Heller’s life.

TMZ broke the story … Heller slammed into a minivan in Thousand Oaks, CA after suffering a “medical emergency.” TMZ was initially told he was taken to the hospital for injuries, but when you look at the damage to the vehicles, the impact clearly was not that severe. Now we know EMTs administered CPR on scene, and Heller was unconscious. From everything we now know it appears Heller suffered a heart attack, lost consciousness and the car continued on its path until it hit the minivan. (TMZ)