The Death Row Records co-founder is being held behind bars on $25 million (£16.7 million) bail as he fights charges of murder and attempted murder stemming from an incident in Los Angeles in January (15) in which he allegedly struck two men with his car, killing Terry Carter and injuring actor Cle 'Bone' Sloan.

Prosecutors have obtained a protective order which prevents Knight, 49, from using the phone or receiving visits from his loved ones while he is in custody, and his lawyer filed an appeal last week (ends05Apr15).

However, officials at the California Court of Appeal have now denied the request and ruled the order can stay in place, according to the New York Daily News.

Knight has pleaded not guilty to the charges is due back in court on 13 April (15).