There was no decision made today on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ latest request for bail.
Following a heated two-hour hearing in New York City, a federal judge has requested further clarification from both the U.S. Attorney’s office and the defense regarding how Combs has been communicating while incarcerated since his arrest on sex trafficking charges two months ago. Judge Arun Subramanian is seeking detailed information from both parties about the specific forms of communication that the Federal Bureau of Prisons permits Combs to use.
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Both the federal prosecutors and the defense have until November 25 at 12 PM ET to provide the requested information. A ruling from Judge Subramanian could be expected before Thanksgiving. In a potentially significant factor for the judge, Pretrial Services officials have aligned with the prosecutors, advising against Diddy’s substantial bail proposal that includes a team of three private security guards monitoring him around the clock and imposing strict restrictions on outside communications.
Despite this, no additional hearings have been scheduled at this time.
On Friday, Combs appeared unshackled at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse, surrounded by family and friends. The rapper, known for his self-promotional antics, had previously been denied bail twice in quick succession shortly after his arrest two months ago.
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In light of the numerous civil suits being filed almost daily related to his years of celebrity and drug-fueled “freak offs,” Combs faces serious charges from the U.S. Attorney’s office, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. The 55-year-old Grammy winner has pleaded not guilty, and if convicted, he could face a life sentence, with a trial set to begin on May 5.
Today’s courtroom session comes in the wake of Combs’ legal team employing a new strategy to challenge the government’s case using two fresh angles. They are concentrating on evidence gathered during a recent sweep of the Brooklyn jail where Combs is being held, as well as a video that prosecutors have leveraged to strengthen their argument against granting Combs bail ahead of the trial set for next year.
Compounding these concerns, federal officials have repeatedly emphasized that one of their primary worries about Combs being released is the potential for him to intimidate or “blackmail” possible witnesses and Jane Does.
The defense argues that the evidence from the jail is protected attorney-client communication, and they claim that the video presented by prosecutors was misleadingly edited to influence the judge’s decision to deny Combs bail. This evidence was collected by a Bureau of Prisons investigator during a facility-wide search for contraband. Regarding the widely circulated video, prosecutors maintain that their only action was to blur the face of Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in footage from 2016 that shows the singer attacking her.
Combs is proposing to post a $50 million bond, wear an ankle monitor, refrain from using the internet, and reside at one of his homes in either New York City or Miami under the watch of a private security firm. He also plans to have any family contact pre-approved by the government. His defense team has criticized the government as hypocritical, arguing that they are applying different standards of justice by highlighting the $10 million bail package granted in October to another accused sex trafficker, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries. Jeffries faces allegations of soliciting male models and others for sex parties, promising them money and career opportunities, and is currently awaiting a federal criminal trial in Long Island.
