Will Sean “Diddy” Combs be denied his right to a fair trial? At least that’s what the fallen music mogul’s lawyers claim.
The allegations against US rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs (54), who is currently in custody, are serious: he is accused of blackmail, sexual assault, rape and forced prostitution. But Combs now also made accusations. He complains that the other side is denying him a fair trial. This emerges from a court filing by his lawyers, which is said to be available to TMZ.
The alleged argument for this claim: Prejudgment would occur through interviews that alleged witnesses and their lawyers are currently giving in public. As a result, his constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair trial no longer applies. The court is “obliged to avoid the creation of a ‘media hype’,” TMZ quotes from the application. It is also inadmissible for the opposing side’s lawyers to have made statements “related to the character or reputation of the defendant” before the trial began.
Do the victims’ real names have to be revealed?
A few days earlier, Combs had… A federal judge should order the public prosecutor’s office to release the names of the alleged victims so that the defense can actually deal with the allegations. So far, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has refused to release the real names – for reasons of privacy and to prevent the plaintiffs from being put under pressure. The 14-page indictment so far only mentions “Victim 1”, “Victim 2″, Victim 3”, etc.
The rapper has been in custody in a New York prison since September after numerous women and men made massive allegations against him. Several requests from his defense for bail have since been rejected by the responsible court. The trial is expected to start in May 2025. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.