Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail for 3rd time ahead of sex trafficking trial

New York: Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail on Wednesday as he awaits his trial in May on charges of sex trafficking. A judge ruled that Combs, 55, poses a “serious risk” of tampering with witnesses and trying to influence his trial, which led to the decision to keep him in custody.

US District Judge Arun Subramanian made the ruling after reviewing arguments presented during a bail hearing last week. Combs’ lawyers had proposed a USD 50 million bail package, arguing it would ensure he would not flee or attempt to intimidate potential witnesses. However, Judge Subramanian disagreed, pointing to evidence that suggested Combs had tried to hide communication with third parties while in jail, which added to the concerns.

Two other judges had already sided with prosecutors, agreeing that Combs posed a danger to the community if released. Subramanian also expressed concerns about the mogul's behavior while in custody, supporting the argument that Combs might attempt to influence his trial. “There is compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence,” Subramanian wrote.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including coercing and abusing women for years with the help of his associates. The indictment also accuses him of using violence, such as kidnapping and arson, to silence victims. Despite his plea, Combs has faced further legal setbacks, with a federal appeals court rejecting his bid for immediate release.

Alleged efforts to influence trial

Prosecutors have raised alarms about Combs’ actions behind bars, claiming he tried to use social media to sway potential jurors and leak information that could help his defense. Authorities also said he used third parties to contact witnesses, further raising concerns about his behavior.

Combs’ lawyers maintain that any sexual encounters described in the indictment were consensual. They argue that new evidence disproves allegations that Combs used his influence to force women into abusive sexual performances. However, Judge Subramanian disagreed with their defense, citing evidence of witness tampering, including deleted messages between Combs and a grand jury witness.

Jailhouse violations and attempts to conceal communications

Judge Subramanian highlighted several violations during Combs’ pretrial detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He allegedly paid other inmates to make calls to people outside his approved contact list and instructed family members and his legal team to use three-way calls to avoid detection. This, according to the judge, demonstrated that Combs was willing to break jail rules to conceal his communications.

Bail proposal deemed insufficient

Despite the defense’s suggestion of strict home confinement as a condition for bail, Subramanian ruled that even such a proposal would not be enough to ensure the public’s safety or prevent Combs from influencing his trial. The judge noted that Combs had recently attempted to use the same phone techniques that had been criticised by prosecutors.

“Given the nature of the allegations in this case and the information provided by the government, the Court doubts the sufficiency of any conditions that place trust in Combs and individuals in his employ — like a private security detail — to follow those conditions,” Subramanian wrote.

Agency