Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is pushing for a trial on s*x trafficking charges by next spring, according to his legal team.
According to APNews, the hip-hop mogul’s attorneys disclosed the preference for an April or May trial in a joint letter to a federal judge, however, the prosecutors have not specified when they would prefer the trial to commence, though they will be available for trial but did not specify when they want it to occur.
Combs, 54, has been in custody since his arrest on September 16, he faces multiple allegations, including claims of physical and sexual abuse against women, but he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The indictment portrays Combs as having coerced and abused women with the help of a network of associates and employees, the allegations include violent acts such as kidnapping, arson, and physical assault. Prosecutors claim these acts were used to intimidate victims and prevent them from coming forward.
In response, Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, has argued that the prosecution is criminalizing consensual acts, and added that Combs remains determined to clear his name and plans to do so through a trial, his lawyer said.
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The letter submitted to Judge Arun Subramanian, who is expected to preside over the trial, contained no mention of continued detention without bail for Combs after two other judges in separate proceedings concluded that no bail conditions could ensure the community would be protected if Combs was released.
Combs’ legal team has since filed an appeal with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn this decision.
Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr., who recently recused himself from the case, had initially denied Combs’ bail after a prolonged hearing. He ruled that there was “clear and convincing evidence” that Combs posed a risk to the community. Carter expressed concerns that the artist could obstruct the ongoing investigation or interfere with witnesses.
However, Combs’ lawyers argue that the decision to deny bail was based on “speculative reasons.” They also highlighted Combs’ status as a father of seven and a prominent public figure. And added that there is little risk of flight, citing Combs’ significant ties to the community as a businessman, artist, and philanthropist.
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“Indeed, hardly a risk of flight, he is a 54-year-old father of seven, a U.S. citizen, an extraordinarily successful artist, businessman, and philanthropist, and one of the most recognizable people on earth,” the lawyers wrote.
They said Carter had “endorsed the government’s exaggerated rhetoric and ordered Mr. Combs detained.”
Diddy judge orders end to bail requests as defense team make third attempt
The Express, also reported that the new judge, Judge Arun Subramanian following Diddy’s legal teams’ third bail attempt which he dismissed has instructed the court to halt the defense’s repeated requests.
“The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate the motions at Dkts. 9 and 13, which were resolved prior to the reassignment of this case to me.”
As mentioned earlier, Document 9 highlighted the original bail package offer, which included a $50 million bond and the surrender of his passport. While document 13 provided a detailed argument from Diddy’s team, addressing both “addresses both risk of flight and danger to the community.”
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In preparation for his Thursday (October 10) trial, prosecutors said they have begun turning over to defense lawyers some of the evidence in the case.
This includes several terabytes of data, such as electronically stored information from Combs and others involved in the case. Among the items turned over are search warrants, reports from two of Combs’ iCloud accounts, and a phone seized earlier in March this year.
Prosecutors told the judge that the government has begun copying over 40 devices and five other iCloud accounts belonging to Combs.
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