Diddy To Remain In Jail Until His May Trial After Voluntarily Dismissing His Bail Appeal
By Favour Adegoke on December 14, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST
Sean "Diddy" Combs seems to have given up on getting bail before his sex crimes trial next year.
The rapper recently filed a motion to dismiss his bail appeal after being denied bail on numerous occasions since his arrest in September.
The revelation comes after Sean "Diddy" Combs was slammed with three new lawsuits accusing him of drugging and raping three male victims.
Diddy Withdraws Bail Appeal Voluntarily
After three unsuccessful attempts to secure bail, Diddy has seemingly abandoned the possibility as he recently filed to have his bail appeal dismissed.
Documents obtained by People Magazine revealed that this was a "voluntary" decision made by the rapper, although the exact reasons remain unclear.
The Bad Boy founder was first denied bail in September by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky following his arrest on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution.
At that time, Tarnofsky ruled that there were "no conditions" that could "reasonably assure the appearance in court and the safety of the community."
Later that month, Diddy was again denied bail, this time by Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr., who cited concerns that the rapper could obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses relevant to the case.
In October, Diddy's request for immediate release, pending a decision from a three-judge panel on his motion for bail, was denied by a federal appeals court judge.
The Rapper's Third Bail Attempt Was Denied In November
Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, Diddy was denied bail for the third time by Judge Arun Subramanian, who had replaced Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. after he recused himself from the case.
This denial came despite Diddy's lawyers offering an "extremely substantial, comprehensive bail package," which included a $50 million bond.
"The Court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community," Subramanian wrote in his ruling, per USA Today.
He also mentioned that the federal prosecutors presented "compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence," including the viral footage of the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura in 2016.
From all indications, Diddy will remain in jail until his trial date in May 2025 after withdrawing his bail appeal. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and has vowed to prove his innocence.
Diddy Has Been Given Access To A Laptop Pre-loaded With Discovery Materials
Amid the bail denials, Diddy got a small victory with regard to his case by being granted access to a laptop.
However, access to the laptop is restricted to 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Additionally, the rapper cannot "take or store notes" on the laptop but can only review his lawyers' and federal prosecutors' discovery.
"It is the Court's understanding that the laptop has been pre-loaded with discovery materials but does not allow any functionality beyond reviewing those materials," Judge Subramanian wrote in his ruling, per the Daily Mail.
He added, "If [the] defendant wished for roader access to the Discovery Laptop, his counsel should discuss the issue with the government. If there are further disputes, the Court will consider adjustments to this order."
Three New Civil Lawsuits Were Filed Against The Music Mogul
Recently, three new lawsuits were brought against Diddy, containing claims that the rapper drugged and raped three men between 2019 and 2022, per the Daily Mail.
The lawsuits, filed by attorney Thomas Giuffra, seek an unspecified amount in damages as compensation for the trauma the alleged victims claim to have endured.
In one filing, a victim alleged that Diddy sexually assaulted him during a meeting at a Manhattan hotel and that when he tried to resist, Diddy lewdly told him he was "almost done."
The individual also claimed that he met up with the rapper at the location to discuss a missed payment.
In another lawsuit, a second alleged male victim claimed he was raped by Diddy during a party at the Park Hyatt New York and was given $2,500 the next day by the rapper.
He also stated he never told anyone about the incident due to "fear and humiliation."
Diddy's Reps Claim The New Lawsuits Are 'Full Of Lies'
Diddy's representatives swiftly slammed the new filings and vowed to go after lawyers who have filed unverified claims against the rapper.
"These complaints are full of lies. We will prove them false and seek sanctions against every unethical lawyer who filed fictional claims against him," the representatives told the outlet.
Meanwhile, the lawyer of the alleged victims also called out Diddy, saying the rapper is a "rich, powerful public figure who was able to take advantage by drugging these men."
The lawyer also claimed that the Bad Boy founder "ensured" the alleged victims' "silence by threatening them and relying on their fear of his power."
He added, "This is a long overdue opportunity for the victims to take the power back after carrying the burden of the assaults in silence for several years."