Trigger warning: This article mentions sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution
A federal judge gave Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs a short legal reprieve on Tuesday, Nov. 19, saying he will not consider evidence obtained by prosecutors during a search of the music mogul’s jail cell at his upcoming bail hearing. US District Judge Arun Subramanian directed the prosecution to dispose of copies of 19 pages of notes taken from Diddy’s cell. This came after his lawyers argued in a Monday filing that the seizure violated attorney-client privilege.
Judge Subramaniam ruled that the court would retain the original papers while the prosecutor and Diddy’s lawyers submit briefs on the issue over the next few weeks.
According to various media reports, prosecutors have accused Combs of trying to influence witnesses from behind the bars of Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, where he was transported on September 16 for his involvement in racketeering, sex trafficking and prostitution. Was arrested on the charge.
Combs was arrested this fall and charged with sex-related crimes, which prosecutors allege were enabled by his power in the music industry as a record label founder, CEO and established rapper. . Prosecutors claim he used his influence and public image to exploit and abuse women.
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Combs has denied all charges against him, including the latest allegations by prosecutors of witness tampering from jail. According to NBC News, his legal team hit back at prosecutors on Tuesday, accusing the government of committing a “serious, deliberate and harmful breach of attorney-client privilege” by seizing papers from his prison cell that he had no business dealing with. Of officers.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Combs, 55, appeared without bond per se, but remained in olive jail attire. NBC News reported that the disgraced musician and producer has lost weight. According to both outlets, Diddy smiled and hugged his lawyers as he entered the courtroom, but he turned serious as the hearing progressed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavick said the papers – 11 pages and eight pages of a calendar book – include Combs’s notes about paying witnesses and gathering incriminating information about the victims. Slavick argued, “A witness was paid, and finding dirt on two different victims is not a privilege.”
She informed the judge that, on October 14, Combs allegedly called a family member to coordinate with someone who is not an attorney to obtain information about the accused.
Defense attorney Mark Agnifilo demanded to know how prosecutors obtained the papers and requested surveillance footage showing the actions in Combs’ cell. He argued that this incident could mark a turning point in the case, potentially leading to the dismissal of the indictment or at least the separation of the current prosecution team.
Slavich countered that the alleged evidence was obtained during a search conducted as part of a planned investigation to address contraband and drugs. He said that no member of the prosecution team was aware of or responsible for the seizure, as it was carried out by the Bureau of Prisons.
A Bureau of Prisons investigator testified at Tuesday’s hearing that the search was part of an ongoing court investigation and the material was obtained properly.
Combs’ third bail hearing is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 22.
If you need support or you know someone who is struggling with domestic violence, assault or abuse, please contact your nearest mental health specialist, NGO or talk to someone about it. There are many helplines available for this.
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