Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and his legal representation have filed for an appeal against a judge’s decision to deny the rapper bail in his ongoing sex crimes case.
Last month, the rap mogul was arrested in New York and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Diddy was then denied bail despite offering a US$50million bond and was reportedly placed on suicide watch as he awaits trial, though his attorney Marc Agnifilo told TMZ that the directive was issued as a routine measure for “new, high-profile inmates”. Other reports suggested that he was not eating in prison out of fear of being poisoned. The bail denial meant that the rapper has been ordered to remain in jail while awaiting trial.
Now, Rolling Stone has reported that Diddy’s team have filed for an appeal against the decision to deny the rapper bail in an attempt to get him released from jail. The report also states that while no documents have been shared yet – they will be filed at appeals court – the rapper has “promised” to undergo weekly drug tests, ban women from entering his home and to not meet anyone who is considered a witness or “co-conspirator” upon release from jail.
The bail appeal – written by Agnifilo – per Rolling Stone will only allow visits from Diddy’s “family, property caretakers and friends who are not considered to be co-conspirators”, and that “no women” besides his mother, and the mothers of his children will be allowed on the premises. Additionally, Diddy’s security team would need “any person who enters the property to sign a visitor log”, which will be handed over to the court every night.
Diddy’s next hearing is scheduled to take place on October 9.
Last week, fresh claims came to light in a separate lawsuit in which a woman alleged that Diddy and his bodyguard drugged, raped her and filmed the incident in 2001 – the bodyguard has not addressed these claims. Diddy has denied criminal wrongdoing, according to BBC. New information about Diddy’s alleged arson attack on Kid Cudi’s car was also recently revealed in a newly unearthed Los Angeles City Fire Department report – Diddy has yet to comment on the arson allegations.
Before this wave of new accusations and lawsuits against the rapper came to light, singer Cassie filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs had raped her and subjected her to countless acts of sexual, physical, emotional and mental abuse. Diddy denied the claims before the pair settled the lawsuit “to mutual satisfaction” a day after it was filed.
Footage of Combs attacking Cassie was later released to the public, and Diddy issued an apology for his actions at the time.
In a new TMZ documentary titled The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment, the rap mogul’s attorney said he was “actually remarkably positive” while in prison and has “come to terms with the fact that this is where he is for now”, and that he’s “focused on his defence”.
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.