Suge Knight: Prosecutors Air Dirty Laundry to Protect Witnesses

10:25 PM PT -- The judge agreed with prosecutors and just ruled Suge's defense team cannot receive additional info about some of the potential witnesses but they did get several names.

Suge Knight is a very dangerous man whose criminal record stretches almost 30 years ... at least that's the point prosecutors are trying to make in order to protect witnesses from his wrath.

Suge's defense team has asked prosecutors in the murder case for their witness list -- but prosecutors say they're hesitant to release that info given Suge's lengthy criminal past.

In legal docs, obtained by TMZ, prosecutors list numerous run-ins Suge has had with the law over the years -- including an attempted murder charge in '87, assault with a firearm in '95 and ordering a bodyguard to punch a woman. Their list went on and on.

And get this ... prosecutors say Suge's so intimidating, when new rappers come to L.A. or Vegas, they're required to pay a monetary "tax" to stay safe.

The judge will decide if prosecutors have to release the witness names. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.