Defense's Diddy Offers 'More Restrictive' Bail Conditions Than MDC
Defense lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs the proposed new bail conditions they say are stricter than prison terms.
Bail conditions for the disgraced man were discussed during a bail hearing on Friday, November 22, in New York City, which was attended Us Weekly. Prosecutors listed their primary concerns as safety, the risk of intimidation and any obstruction, and that Diddy, 55, is a flight risk.
Additionally, for the conditions to be sufficient for Diddy to be granted bail, there needs to be a level of confidence that he will comply with those conditions, but his flight risk and vulnerability to the public are well documented. “In short, the defendant cannot be trusted,” said the prosecutor.
It was also proposed that the communication be limited to lawyers. Regarding trustworthiness, prosecutors noted that Diddy continued to communicate through unauthorized channels authorized by his attorneys.
Prosecutors added that there was no guarantee that a private security company would ensure Diddy's compliance, saying, “This comes down to the defendant trying to pay his way out of custody.”
Diddy's lawyer presented possible conditions for his bail that they say are stricter than those at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), where he is being held.
The first proposal was for Diddy to be locked up in his home on Star Island in Florida, which was quickly rejected by a US District Judge. Arun Subramanian.
Defense attorneys offered another proposal described as “more restrictive than MDC,” in which Diddy would be confined to his three-bedroom apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
His defense proposal includes a 24/7 security detail, with two guards in Diddy's apartment and one downstairs. He would not be able to access the phones or the internet without talking to his lawyers, who would be set up by his bodyguards, and the lawyers would only be his guests. Visits with family will be subject to pre-trial approval and security supervision.
“There is nothing he will be able to do to be angry with the witnesses,” said his defense. Regarding private security, his lawyer said that the company hired will be private, as well as Diddy's lawyer. Marc Agnifilo saying there was a “0% chance” Diddy would be violent with another person while on bail.
Friday's hearing was Diddy's fourth bail request, with the latest bail proposal including a $50 million bond. He has been denied bail three times since his arrest in New York City on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in September. Diddy denied the charges.
“We are disappointed in the decision to pursue what we believe to be an improper prosecution of Mr. Combs by the United States Attorney's Office,” Agnifilo said. Us in a statement at the time. “Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music legend, self-made businessman, loving family man and proven pirate who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, loving his children and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”
On Friday, prosecutors also showed footage of the rapper beating his ex-wife Cassie in 2016 as another reason why he was not granted bail, as it is one of the many evidences that prove that he is a violent and dangerous person.
However, Diddy's defense responded to the claims by saying that Diddy and Cassie's relationship included “reprehensible behavior on both sides” and violence between the two, calling it a “toxic, loving 11-year relationship.” Diddy's team previously tried to keep the video, which was published by CNN, out of court.
Us has reached out to Cassie's attorneys for comment.
A decision on whether 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
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