Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs was allowed to speak with his family on Thursday as he appeared in court, having been held in federal custody for the past three weeks.
The 54-year-old rapper was arrested last month on multiple charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. He has denied all charges against him and pled not guilty in court.
Diddy made his first court appearance at a pre-trial hearing to decide evidence to be used in the case. His attorney Marc Agnifilo spoke to reporters outside the court following the hearing.
When asked if Combs was able to speak to his family, Agnifilo said he was “a little bit”. This special treatment is almost unheard of among criminal defendants, who typically leave the courtroom quickly.
Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs has denied all charges against him (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Diddy was arrested on September 16 in New York and later charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, transportation and engaging in prostitution. He is currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits trial.
The disgraced music mogul was supported by his family in court on Thursday, with his mother and children watching from the public gallery. As they entered the courthouse, Diddy’s family members were booed.
As well as making a decision on evidence, the pre-trial hearing also addressed accusations from Diddy’s defense team that the government had leaked the infamous Cassie Ventura video, which shows Combs assaulting a woman in a hotel before dragging them by their hair. The Daily Mail reports prosecutors dismissing these claims as “baseless” and denied the defense’s claims that the case against Diddy is racially motivated.
Diddy has been denied bail and so will remain in prison until his trial, which is set to begin on May 5, 2025. Prosecutors predict that Diddy’s trial could last approximately three weeks.
Diddy’s attorneys have said ha is struggling to adjust to life behind bars. Agnifilo said outside court: “I think the food’s probably the roughest part of it.”
