NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers representing Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the prominent hip-hop figure currently in jail, informed a judge on Wednesday that Combs is eager to proceed to trial on sex trafficking charges in the spring, specifically in either April or May.
Combs, 54, has been incarcerated since his arrest on September 16. He faces allegations of having physically and sexually abused women over many years. The charges include serious accusations of coercion and abuse with the support of a network of associates and employees. Prosecutors claim he employed blackmail and resorted to violent actions, such as kidnapping and physical beatings, to prevent his victims from coming forward. Combs has pleaded not guilty to these accusations.
In a joint letter submitted to Judge Arun Subramanian, who will oversee the case, Combs’ defense team and the prosecutors outlined their anticipated discussions for an upcoming hearing scheduled for Thursday in Manhattan federal court. While prosecutors indicated their willingness to go to trial, they did not specify a preferred date.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued that the prosecution is misrepresenting consensual sexual activities as criminal behavior. He emphasized that Combs intends to defend himself vigorously and clear his name during the trial.
Despite the lack of mention in the recent letter, Combs has been denied bail due to concerns from two different judges that his release would pose a threat to community safety. These judges determined that no bail conditions could sufficiently protect the public if he were to be freed.
On Tuesday, Combs’ legal team filed a motion with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, requesting the reversal of the detention orders and seeking his release until the trial begins. They criticized Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. for rejecting a proposed $50 million bail package, which would involve home confinement, describing his reasons as “purely speculative.”
Combs’ lawyers highlighted his low flight risk, noting he is a 54-year-old father of seven, a U.S. citizen, and a highly successful artist and philanthropist, making him one of the most recognizable individuals globally. They contended that Judge Carter had embraced the government’s exaggerated narrative, leading to Combs’ continued detention.
In preparation for the upcoming hearing, prosecutors revealed that they have begun sharing a substantial amount of evidence with Combs’ defense team, including several terabytes of electronically stored information and search warrants related to the case. Items already disclosed include details regarding the seizure of Combs’ phone and reports on two of his iCloud accounts, with plans to provide additional evidence from over 40 devices and five other iCloud accounts linked to him.
