Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is facing serious sex trafficking charges, was once again denied bail on Wednesday afternoon, despite his legal team's appeal regarding the "horrific" conditions he is enduring while in jail. This decision follows a Tuesday ruling where the court determined that Combs must remain behind bars as he awaits trial.
Combs was taken into custody Monday night after a grand jury indicted him on three felony charges related to his alleged involvement in the long-term sexual abuse of multiple women, according to federal prosecutors.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Combs' defense team requested the court consider transferring him to a different detention facility in Essex County, New Jersey, citing concerns about the harsh conditions at his current location. The judge asked the defense to file a formal motion regarding the transfer by September 23.
The next hearing in the case is set for October 9. However, Combs' defense team resisted efforts to begin the trial in November, pushing for a later date.
There was an audible sigh in the courtroom when the judge upheld the decision to deny bail, though it was unclear who expressed the frustration.
Combs’ family, including his three sons, showed their support by attending the hearing, sitting in the second row. Before the proceedings began, Combs acknowledged them with a wave, and he glanced back at his family as he was escorted out following the conclusion of the hearing.
Throughout the hearing, Combs largely avoided eye contact with prosecutors, occasionally shaking his head but maintaining a composed and forward-facing demeanor.
His defense team argued that Combs, who voluntarily came to New York to surrender to authorities before his arrest, is not the type of defendant who should be kept in custody before trial. They emphasized his attempt to "self-surrender" as a sign of cooperation that the court should take into account.
They also argued against the conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, pointing to instances of violence, including murders and suicides, that have occurred at the facility in recent years. Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, highlighted that many courts have deemed the conditions at this federal lockup unfit for pre-trial detention.
"Numerous courts in this district have raised concerns about the horrific conditions of detention here," Agnifilo noted in a letter to the court.
However, federal prosecutors pushed back, asserting that Combs poses a significant threat to the community based on the violent acts detailed in the indictment. They also expressed concerns about his potential to flee, given his vast financial resources.
In a court memo filed Wednesday, prosecutors argued, "The defendant's behavior demonstrates that his legal team cannot control him," pointing to Combs' history of drug use and access to firearms as indicators of the danger he poses.
Judge Robyn Tarnofsky, who initially denied Combs bail on Tuesday, reiterated these concerns. She stated that Combs' past substance abuse issues, combined with the violent nature of the allegations, suggest he may not be in full control of his actions, particularly when under the influence.
"Your lawyer asked me to trust you and to trust him, but I’m not convinced you can trust yourself," Tarnofsky told Combs during the hearing.
Prosecutors further argued that Combs is a danger to both victims and the public due to his alleged violent behavior and potential obstruction of justice. They added that he presents a flight risk, and therefore, he "must remain detained."
Combs faces three serious felony charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and using transportation to engage in prostitution, as outlined in the grand jury indictment.