Diddy’s Defense Offers Bail Conditions ‘More Restrictive’ Than MDC

[ad_1]

Invest Fest 2023 — Sean “Diddy” Combs. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Defense attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs proposed new bail conditions they claim to be more restrictive than jail.

Conditions for the disgraced media mogul’s bail were discussed during his bail hearing on Friday, November 22, in New York City, which was attended by Us Weekly. The prosecution listed its main concerns being security, the risk of threat to others as well as any obstructions, and that Diddy, 55, is a flight risk.

Additionally, for conditions to be sufficient for Diddy to be granted bail, there needs to be a level of trust that he will follow those conditions, but his risk of flight and danger to the community is well-documented. “In short, the defendant cannot be trusted,” the prosecution stated.

It was also proposed that communication be limited to attorneys only. Relating back to trust, prosecutors noted Diddy had continued to communicate through unauthorized channels which his attorneys enabled.

Prosecutors added that there was no guarantee a private security firm could ensure compliance from Diddy, saying, “This comes down to the defendant trying to pay his way out of custody.”

Diddy’s defense presented possible conditions for his bail which they claimed to be more restrictive than the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), where he is currently remanded.

The first proposal was that Diddy be detained in his Star Island home in Florida, which was promptly rejected by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

The defense provided an alternative proposal described as “substantially more restrictive than MDC,” where Diddy would be detained to his three-bedroom Manhattan apartment on the Upper East Side.

His defense’s proposal includes a 24/7 security detail, as well as two security guards in the apartment with Diddy and one downstairs. He would have no access to phones or the internet except to talk to his attorneys, which would be set up through his security, and attorneys would be his only visitors. Visits with family would have pre-trial approval and be monitored by security.

“There’s nothing he’ll be able to do to temper with witnesses,” his defense said. With regards to private security, his defense said the firm hired would be entirely independent, with Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo saying there was “0% chance” Diddy would be violent to someone else while on bail.

Friday’s hearing was Diddy’s fourth request seeking bail, and this latest bail proposal included a $50 million bond. He has been denied bail three times since he was arrested in New York City on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in September. Diddy pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo told Us in a statement at the time. “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”

On Friday, prosecutors also pointed to footage of the rapper physically assaulting his ex Cassie in 2016 as another reason why he should not be granted bail, as it is one of many pieces of evidence proving he is a violent and dangerous individual.

However, Diddy’s defense responded to these claims saying Diddy and Cassie’s relationship included “mutually regrettable conduct that goes in both directions” with violence initiated by both of them, calling it a “toxic, loving 11-year relationship.” Diddy’s team previously tried to keep the footage, originally published by CNN, out of court.

Us has reached out to Cassie’s lawyers for comment.

A decision on whether or not Diddy will be allowed to be released on bail is expected next week. His trial is currently scheduled for May 2025.

With reporting by Molly McGuigan

[ad_2]

Source link