Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Denied Bail as Judge Rules Hip-Hop Mogul Poses Grave Danger

NEW YORK — A federal judge in New York denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to be released on bail, finding “by clear and convincing evidence” that the hip-hop mogul is potentially dangerous and “that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably ensure safety.” of the community.”

Judge Arun Subramanian decided that “there is compelling evidence of Combs’ propensity for violence,” including a video obtained by CNN of the 2016 Intercontinental Hotel incident with his protégé Cassie Ventura.

While the defense argued that the images were edited and manipulated, the judge said: “There is clearly violence even in the version of the images presented by Combs.”

Both federal prosecutors and Combs’ lawyers presented their final letters on whether the music mogul should be released on bail on Monday. This is the fourth time he has been denied bail.

Prosecutors argued that Combs’ attempt to influence witnesses while in prison “constitutes obstruction” of his criminal case. They also denounced Combs’ “recent efforts to influence the jury” through a social media campaign organized by his children.

Combs’ attorneys said their client’s conduct protected free speech, intended to combat “outrageous claims about Mr. Combs” by “government agents, plaintiffs’ attorneys and others with questionable motives.”

The judge also cited text messages between Combs and Ventura from the hours and days after the encounter.

“I have a black eye and a fat lip. You are sick for thinking it is okay to do what you have done,” one message read. “I still have crazy bruises,” said another.

Combs proposed home confinement in a three-bedroom apartment on the Upper East Side with 24/7 private security, limits on visitation and restrictions on his communications. Still, the judge said: “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 confidence in Combs and the people in his service, such as a detachment of private security, to follow those conditions.”

Last Friday, the defense called the proposed conditions “far more restrictive” than those Combs faces in prison.

They included limiting phone calls to attorneys, restricting visits other than to specific attorneys and family members, keeping a log of visits, and avoiding contact with witnesses or potential witnesses.

However, federal prosecutors have said there are no conditions that would reduce Combs’ risk of tampering with witnesses or shaping the opinions of potential jurors.

In court last Friday, prosecutors summarily said that Combs “cannot be trusted” to follow the rules of a pretrial release.

The judge sided with the prosecution’s argument.

In his decision, Subramanian cited “evidence supporting a serious risk of witness tampering,” including Combs’ calls and text messages with witnesses, and his failure to follow jail rules, such as the use of passcodes. phone calls from other inmates at MDC-Brooklyn.

“(Combs’) willingness to circumvent BOP rules in a way that would make his communications more difficult to track is compelling evidence that the Court cannot reasonably be assured of the sufficiency of his release conditions,” Subramanian said. .

Subramanian is the fourth judge to deny Combs bail after a federal magistrate, the previous district court judge assigned to the case and an appeals court judge.