EXCLUSIVE
Vernon Turner got offed during the epic season finale of "Empire" ... and Malik Yoba just told us how he got the news his character was going to be the one to go.
Malik came on "TMZ Live" and laid out the painful moment Lee Daniels informed him his services would not be needed for Season 2 -- and it's a real kick in the gut. Let's just say he was doing charity work AND promoting the very show ... that was about to dump him.
Malik adds ... the decision to kill off someone was the network's call -- but picking HIS character? Well, watch -- like Mick Jagger said ... he can't get no satisfaction.
