Sean “Diddy” Combs will reportedly reject a plea deal in his federal indictment for sex crimes and racketeering if prosecutors offer him one.
The embattled rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said that the “Bad Boy For Life” rapper “believes he’s innocent” and would seek to prove his case in court.
Authorities have already contacted more than 50 witnesses and served 300 warrants as they attempt to go after others linked to Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Article continues below advertisement
Diddy Would Reject A Plea Deal, Lawyer Claims
Amid his stay at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, Diddy’s attorney, Agnifilo, disclosed that the embattled music mogul would likely not accept a plea deal from the government as he remains firm on proving his innocence.
Agnifilo made the remarks in TMZ’s “The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment,” where he noted that Diddy’s acceptance of a plea deal was not up to him.
“It’s up to Mr. Combs, and I don’t see it happening because he believes he’s innocent,” the attorney said. “And what’s more, he believes that he needs to stand up not just for himself — for his family and for everybody who’s been targeted by the federal government.”
Article continues below advertisement
“He feels an obligation to those people to say, ‘You know what, maybe I can break the model. Maybe I can show the world that a Black man can win in federal court,'” Agnifilo added. “And I think he probably is the only person I know of who might be able to actually accomplish that goal.”
Article continues below advertisement
Diddy Has Been Taken Off Suicide Watch
The “Finna Get Loose” rapper was denied bail twice, even after offering a $50 million bail proposal package.
Authorities deemed him a flight risk and stated that he could coerce witnesses on the case to do his bidding.
Days after his arrest in New York, the father-of-seven was placed under suicide watch as a “preventative measure” because he was reportedly “in shock” and his mental state was “unclear” at the time.
However, According to People Magazine, law enforcement sources have confirmed that Diddy is no longer on suicide watch and is being allowed visits from his loved ones.
“He is focused and very strong,” a lawyer for Combs told the news outlet. “He is concentrating on his defense and preparing for his trial.
Article continues below advertisement
Diddy Remains ‘Positive’ About His Chances
Despite the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center being tagged as one of the most dangerous and poorly run correctional facilities in the country, Diddy has seemingly managed to keep his head cool.
Agnifilo, in a recent episode of TMZ’s “The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment,” opened up about how his client is holding up in jail.
“His state of mind is actually remarkably positive,” Diddy’s attorney told the news outlet after he was when reminded that his client could spend more than a year behind bars before even reaching trial.
Article continues below advertisement
“I spend several hours with him every day. His resolve is strong, he’s engaged, he’s focused on his defense,” Agnifilo explained. “He is so focused on trying to right his wrong that it’s actually giving him a form of strength and a form of confidence that I think is going to get him through a difficult time.”
The Rapper Has Been Warned Not To Testify
While a trial date has yet to be set, experts have warned in advance that Diddy might make the wrong move if he chooses to testify.
“There is a reason that attorneys typically advise their clients not to take the stand in their own trial; testifying in one’s own trial opens up the defendant to cross-examination from the prosecution,” legal expert Meesha Moulton told Page Six.
She added, “If Diddy becomes flustered or frustrated, taking the stand will do more harm for him than good. This level of scrutiny is very emotionally taxing, and if he struggles to maintain composure under pressure, it can negatively influence the jury’s perception of him.”
Article continues below advertisement
A ‘High Profile’ Names Rumored To Be Indicted
As prosecutors continue to work around the clock ahead of the trial, a lawyer for one of Diddy’s accusers has disclosed that they got their hands on a tape that features a “high-profile” person in an X-rated act, filmed at the rapper’s home.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ariel Mitchell-Kidd disclosed that she was contacted about the “sale of one of the Diddy tapes,” which are reportedly from one of his “freak offs” sex sessions.
“There already have been tapes leaking around Hollywood being shopped around … but one particular person contacted me to shop a particular video they were in possession of and to contact the person who was in the video to see if they were interested in purchasing the video before it became public knowledge,” Mitchell-Kidd said on NewsNation’sBanfield.
She continued, “I can tell the video was pornographic in nature. … This was in his Atlanta home, and it does seem the person isn’t looking into the video. To me, it doesn’t seem like that person knows they’re being videotaped.”