Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs latest: Rapper ‘put on suicide watch’ as he awaits trial behind bars
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has faced a series of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse over the last year
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Sean “Diddy” Combs is “on suicide watch” in prison as he awaits trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, according to reports.
The rapper appeared in court on Wednesday to propose a $50 million bail package to avoid the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, but he was denied by the judge.
According to PEOPLE, Diddy has been placed on suicide watch as a “preventative measure”. On Wednesday Diddy’s lawyers argued he was not a flight risk or dangerous, but they failed to convince the judge.
The prosecution shared alleged text messages from Diddy to his ex, Cassie Ventura, following the attack on her in 2016 to argue he should remain behind bars until trial.
Diddy allegedly said: “Call me, the cops are here. I got six kids. You, please call. I’m surrounded. You gonna abandon me all alone.”
He pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution and maintains he is "an innocent man."
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Federal prosecutors have little faith Combs’ team can control him
“The risk of obstruction in this case is heightened because of the defendant’s power,” the assistant US attorney said. “His influence makes it so difficult for witnesses to share their experiences…and to trust that the government can keep them safe from him”
Prosecutors argue Combs is dangerous
Federal prosecutors are trying to convince a district court judge that Combs poses a danger to the community and should be jailed while awaiting trial, accusing the music mogul of extorting his victims.
They cited examples from victims who allege he filmed “Freaks Offs” and then used them as blackmail.
Prosecutors said the “investigation is ongoing” and therefore they believe Combs should be held in jail while they continue to investigate the allegations. They fear that his associates or witnesses would refuse to speak about the alleged crimes they witnessed.
“Half a dozen escorts is just the tip of the iceberg of the number of escorts that have participated in ‘Freak Offs’," federal prosecutors told the judge.
Combs’ children attend court for bail hearing
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ children, Quincy Brown, Christian “King” Combs and Justin Combs arrived at a New York courthouse on Wednesday afternoon to attend their father’s bail hearing.
Combs’ adult sons attended his first appearance and arraignment on Tuesday afternoon. All three agreed to co-sign their father’s $50 million bail which a judge denied yesterday.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attends bail hearing
Music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attended his bail hearing at the Thurgood Marshall U.S. courthouse in New York City on Wednesday to ask a judge to allow him to remain under house arrested, instead of jailed, as he awaits his sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
Around 3:30 p.m., Combs sat in the courtroom at the defense table. He was wearing a black shirt, according to Inner City Press.
Combs’ lawyers arrive for bail hearing
Diddy’s lawyers describe ‘horrific’ conditions of jail where Combs is being held
Combs’ lawyers highlighted the poor conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center where Combs is currently being held, in their letter asking a judge to let the musician remain under house arrest.
“Numerous Courts in this district have raised concerns with the horrific conditions of detention there,” Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, wrote in the letter.
Agnifilo cited numerous court cases where the jail was described as “dreadful”, “dirty”, “plagued by violence” and “inhuman.”
Lawyers ask federal judge to release Combs from custody in letter
Lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attempted to smother fears that the music mogul poses a flight risk or a danger to others in asking a New York judge to allow the music mogul to remain under house arrest until his trial instead of sitting in jail.
“Sean Combs has never evaded, avoided, eluded or run from a challenge in his life. He will not start now,” Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, said in a letter to District Court Judge Andrew Carter on Wednesday.
Agnifilo addressed several concerns that led a magistrate judge to jail Combs, including that he is unpredictable and dangerous.
“Aside from his actions since the inception of this investigation, Mr. Combs’ character is shown through his demonstrated contributions to society,” Agnifilo said.
He cited examples like donating to charity, raising money for Covid-19 relief, advancing the careers of Black people in music and creating thousands of jobs.
The lawyer also said there were major differences between Combs’ case to other sex trafficking cases like the one involving Jeffrey Epstein because Combs is not accused of trafficking minors and has not flown internationally since last year.
Similarly, Agnifilo said that the difference between Combs’ case and the government’s case against R. Kelly was that Kelly is accused of abusing minors over a prolonged period of time whereas Combs is not.
Judge issues ‘Brady’ order
Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky has issued a Brady order, which requires government prosecutors to disclose evidence and materials that could be used for impeachment.
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