A decision on whether Sean “Diddy” Combs will be released on bail has been postponed until next week by the judge overseeing his sex trafficking case.
At a hearing Friday in Manhattan federal court, U.S. District Judge Alan Subramanian asked Combs’ lawyers and prosecutors to submit documents by Monday outlining the specific terms of his release.
Combs, who looked thinner, waved and blew kisses to mothers and children seated in the second row of the gallery.
Prosecutor Kristi Slavik argued during the hearing that it was dangerous to grant the music mogul’s request.
“He has paid to be released from custody and continues to flout the rules. He is a flight risk, a danger to the community and has attempted to disrupt these proceedings and destroy their integrity. “There are,” Slavik said.
Defense attorney Mark Agnifilo said that if Combs is released, he will stay in a three-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. He will be guarded by the private company Patriot Security and will only be allowed to call his lawyer. Only lawyers and family members can meet.
Mr. Subramanian is concerned about the safety and the families of the victims and witnesses whom Mr. Combs is paying for and who he is contacting on behalf of the victims and witnesses, and is concerned about how Mr. Combs will communicate and what kind of communications he will receive. He said he would like more clarity on whether the use of such methods would be permitted.
Combs, 55, is being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting trial scheduled for May 5th, where he has pleaded not guilty. He is charged with extortion, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Agnifilo was released on bail by other high-profile defendants charged with similar crimes in court, including Mike Jeffries, the former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch, who was indicted by New York prosecutors last month on sex trafficking charges. He argued that his client should be released on bail because he was allowed to do so.
But prosecutors argued Combs witnessed the wrongdoing from behind bars.
In recent filings, prosecutors say Combs continues to attempt to “evade law enforcement oversight, unduly influence witness testimony, and further attack the integrity of these proceedings.” said.
Mr. Combs’ bail hearing comes two days after Mr. Subramanian ordered prosecutors to destroy 19 pages of notes taken from his cell during a recent sweep because they were protected by attorney-client privilege. .
The scrutiny of Combs began last year when Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura (also known as Kathy), accused Combs of raping and beating her in fits of “uncontrollable anger” and “putting a tight hold on her life.” It started with a lawsuit.
The complaint also alleges that he forced her to engage in sexual acts he called “freak-offs” with other men while he watched. The other men were often sex workers who were paid to travel with them, according to the complaint.
Ventura settled with Combs the day after the lawsuit became public, and Combs denied all allegations. However, in 2016, surveillance video surfaced showing Combs punching Kathy in a hotel hallway.
NBC News’ Alicia Victoria Lozano contributed.
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