Sean “Diddy” Combs has entered a plea of not guilty to charges against him and is currently being held without bail. The specifics of the charges and the reasons for the no-bail decision have not been detailed, but the situation is ongoing.
Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, is committed to securing the rap mogul’s release from custody. Speaking outside the courthouse in New York City on Tuesday, Agnifilo expressed his determination to “keep fighting” until Combs is free.
After Diddy was denied bail, his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, spoke to the press outside the courthouse, reaffirming their commitment to securing Diddy’s release. Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky addressed the court, stating, “I thank your family members for coming, but I cannot release him.” Diddy’s sons, Christian and Justin, were present in the courtroom during this decision.
Diddy’s attorney is challenging the portrayal of the rap mogul as a brute and a bully, suggesting that the 2016 hotel hallway incident involving Combs and his then-girlfriend, Cassie, may have more context than previously understood.
According to Diddy’s camp, “victim one” allegedly discovered multiple romantic interests on Combs’ phone, leading to a confrontation where she struck him in the head with a cell phone and absconded with his clothing. This explanation aims to clarify why Combs was seen in the hallway in a towel, as depicted in footage that emerged in May.
Diddy’s lawyer asserts that Diddy and the unnamed victim, presumed to be Cassie, were deeply in love until the woman allegedly engaged in a prolonged affair with the trainer Diddy had arranged for her. The lawyer’s comments suggest a complicated backstory behind their relationship issues. Cassie’s representatives have been contacted for a response.
For context, Cassie married physical trainer Alex Fine in 2019, and the couple has two children together.
Diddy’s lawyer has acknowledged that while his client is “not a perfect person” and has been involved in “toxic relationships,” these relationships were reportedly mutual.
In court, it was revealed that Diddy had made a substantial payment to an ex over a period of ten years, though the details regarding the recipient and the purpose of the payment remain unclear.
Prosecutors have presented arguments against granting Diddy bail, citing concerns that he may intimidate witnesses or obstruct justice if released on bond. They have reported that witnesses interviewed have expressed fear, and claimed Diddy made 54 calls to his former artist Kalenna Harper the day before she provided a statement in a lawsuit involving them.
Additionally, the prosecution alleges that Diddy possesses the financial resources and means to evade justice. They also reported finding what appeared to be narcotics in his hotel room at the time of his arrest, including a pink powder that tested positive for Ecstasy along with other drugs.
Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. During his initial appearance in federal court on Tuesday afternoon in Lower Manhattan, he entered the anticipated plea. The immediate concern for Diddy was whether the judge would grant him bail.
Diddy proposed a substantial $50 million bond to secure his release, offering his $48 million Miami mansion and his mother’s home as collateral. He also agreed to wear a GPS monitor and restrict his travel to South Florida and the New York City area. The court hearing is ongoing, and the judge has not yet made a decision regarding bail.
If convicted, Diddy faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a statutory maximum of life in prison. The high stakes of the case underscore the serious legal consequences he is confronting.
