A federal judge in New York denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request for bail, finding “by clear and convincing evidence” that the hip-hop mogul may be dangerous and that “no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably ensure his safety.” of the community.”
Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that “there is credible evidence of Combs’ propensity for violence,” including video obtained by CNN of the 2016 incident with security guard Cassie Ventura at the Intercontinental Hotel.
Although the defense argued that the footage had been edited and tampered with, the judge said: “The version of the footage sent by Orzacia is also clearly violent.”
Federal prosecutors and Combs’ attorneys on Monday submitted final letters to the music mogul on whether to release him on bail. This is the fourth time he has been denied bail.
Sean “Diddy” Combs Sean “Diddy” Combs completes his $1 million pledge to Howard University during Howard Homecoming’s Yardfest on October 20, 2023 in Washington, Washington.
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
Prosecutors argued that Combs’ attempts to influence witnesses “hinder” his criminal case. In addition, Orrazie made “last-ditch efforts to influence juries” through a social media campaign organized by her children.
Combs’ attorneys said their client’s conduct was protected by free speech in an effort to counter “outrageous claims about Mr. Combs by government agents, plaintiffs’ attorneys and others with dubious motives.”
The judge also mentioned the text messages between Combs and Ventura, from the hours and days after the meeting.
“I have a black eye and a fat lip. You’re sick of thinking it’s okay to do what you did,” one post said. “I still have a crazy bruise,” said another.
Combs proposed confining the house to a three-bedroom Upper East Side apartment with 24/7 private security, restrictions on visitors and restrictions on his communications. However, as the judge said, “considering the nature of the allegations in this case and the information provided by the government, the Court questions the sufficiency of the conditions that place trust in Combs and the people employed by him – as a private security detail -. fulfill those conditions”.
Last Friday, he said the terms proposed by the defense are “much more restrictive” than what Combs is facing in prison.
They included limiting phone calls to attorneys, limiting visitors other than attorneys and specified family members, maintaining a log of visits, and avoiding contact with witnesses or potential witnesses.
However, federal prosecutors said there is no requirement to reduce Combs’ risk of tampering with witnesses or shaping the opinions of potential jurors.
In court last Friday, prosecutors said briefly that Combs “cannot be trusted” to comply with pretrial release rules.
The judge supported the prosecution’s argument.
In his decision, Subramanian cited “evidence supporting a serious risk of witness tampering,” including calls and texts Combs made with witnesses, and violations of prison rules, such as using the phone access codes of other inmates at MDC-Brooklyn.
“(Comb’s) willingness to circumvent BOP rules in a way that would make it more difficult to monitor his communications is strong evidence that the Court cannot reasonably be satisfied that any condition of (d) release is sufficient,” Subramanian. he said
Subramanian is the fourth judge to deny Combs bond after a federal magistrate, the previous district judge assigned to the case and an appeals court judge.
