Sean “Diddy” Combs: No last-minute deal with public prosecutor

Sean “Diddy” Combs rejected a last minute offer from the public prosecutor, which would have earned him a lower prison sentence in the event of a conviction. At a hearing on Thursday before the Federal Supreme Court in New York, the 55-year music mogul personally confirmed his decision. “Yes, I have that,” Combs, when asked by judge Arun Subramanian, replied whether he rejected the offer.

The disgusted hip-hop star appeared in the usual beige-colored prison clothing. According to his lawyer Marc Agnifilo, both had discussed the offer last week and made a decision together. The exact conditions of the offer were not made public.

With Combs’ decision it is now clear that the process begins as planned next week. The jury selection is scheduled to start on Monday, May 5th, the opening plea for May 12th.

Since his arrest in September last year, Combs has been in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. According to the report, he had changed externally at his court date on Thursday – his hair had become recognizably gray and he had carried glasses while he studied legal documents.

The founder of the “Bad Boy Records” label is said to have shown himself relatively relaxed despite its location. He hugged his lawyers and exchanged a smile with his lawyer Teny Geragos. In contrast to previous hearings, no family member was present in the courtroom this time, reports the British newspaper.

For the actual process, judge Subramanian Sean Combs has allowed to wear his own clothes instead of having to appear in prison clothing in front of the jury. However, under certain conditions: The music mogul known for its fashionable appearance may have a maximum of five shirts, five pants, five sweaters and five pairs of socks as well as two pairs of shoes without laces.

Permission to wear your own clothes should be important for the Combs once celebrated as a fashion icon. In 2004 he won the renowned price of the Council of Fashion Designer of America for his own model line “Sean John”. An article in the fashion magazine “Vogue” on his 50th birthday in 2019 emphasized that it was “difficult to overestimate the fashionable influence” that Combs had in the fashion world.

At the hearing there were also discussions about public statements by lawyers who represented alleged victims. Combs’ lawyer team had asked the judge in a letter on Tuesday to give other lawyers a muzzle. They argued that despite an earlier application for confidentiality, several lawyers continued to spread negative publicity through their clients.

The defense specially called Douglas Wigdor, who represents Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, for his statements towards media. “Without a judicial order, we expect the negative publicity not only stop, but escalate as soon as the process begins,” they wrote to Richter Subramanian.

Judge Subramanian expressed a warning to Lisa Bloom, the lawyer of Dawn Richard, one of the accusers of Combs, because of her recent statements about the “BBC”. He explained that all lawyers, including Bloom, “should comply with their obligations in accordance with the rules of professional behavior” and threatened “adequate measures” if someone should violate them.

Combs is accused of sex trade and organized crime. He did not guilty. In the event of a conviction, he faces a long -term prison sentence.