Kaylah Walton
On Friday, November 22, rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will have his third bail hearing. The presiding judge has indicated that evidence gathered from a recent search of his prison cell will not be considered, marking a win for the artist.
Judge Arun Subramanian ordered the prosecution to destroy copies of 19 pages of notes obtained during the cell search. Combs appeared relaxed during a court session on Tuesday, compared to his previous appearances.
This hearing was initiated following allegations made by prosecutors regarding a breach of attorney-client privilege due to the seizure of items from Combs’ prison cell during a Bureau of Prisons operation, which his lawyer labeled as “outrageous government conduct” and a “violation of due process.”
The defense asserts that the items seized included notes from Combs intended for his legal team detailing various strategies employed by the defense.
Attorney Marc Agnifilo stated in court that during jail visits, they discuss various topics, including trial strategies and how to address witness credibility: “Everything in these notebooks covers what we discuss with Mr. Combs.”
Prosecutors countered this by claiming that the items were collected during a routine search, which was not specifically related to Combs and did not violate legal privileges.
Moreover, Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik disclosed that some notes taken from the cell discussed personal matters, birthdays, and “inspirational quotes,” asserting that “the investigation remains active.”
In response to the allegations, prosecutors mentioned that the notes were thoroughly checked by a “filter team” before being submitted to the prosecution team. Additionally, Combs’ lawyers have also requested that he be allowed to appear in court without restraints, as being shackled might create a perception of “jury bias” amid widespread media coverage.
Currently, Combs faces serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and facilitating prostitution through high-end events referred to as “freak offs” where women were allegedly coerced to engage with male sex workers.
Since his arrest in September, Diddy has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He has previously been denied bail twice by different judges, who were concerned about the possibility of witness tampering by the defense.
