Janice Combs, mother to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, made quite the entrance at her son’s legal showdown on Thursday.
Dressed in a statement tiger-print fur coat paired with a chic white mini dress, the 84-year-old former model and teaching assistant grabbed attention during a New York court hearing ahead of Diddy’s sex-trafficking trial.
With oversized jeweled sunglasses covering her eyes, Diddy’s mom ignored jeers from the crowd as she strutted into the courthouse.
Upon her arrival at the lower Manhattan courthouse, a heckler blasted: “Janice, your son is a predator and deserves to be locked up.”
Yet, despite the vocal criticism, Janice, who has staunchly defended her son, walked in with poise, seemingly undisturbed by the chaos. The hip-hop mogul’s family showed up in support as well; his twin daughters Jessie James and D’Lila Star, 17, were spotted alongside their brothers Quincy, 33, Justin, 30, and Christian, 26, before the proceedings commenced.
( Image: AP)
Arrested and charged with sex trafficking and racketeering on September 16, Diddy was seen publicly in his prison garb for the first time during the court session on Thursday. Courtroom sketches captured the music icon clad in a poorly-fitted, dull prison uniform as he attended the pre-trial hearing, which determined what evidence would be presented against him, reports the Mirror.
Facing the severe accusations of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and inciting prostitution, the 54 year old artist was stationed next to his legal team in court. A fleeting smile crossed Diddy’s face as he caught sight of his mother and siblings among the courtroom observers this, following the allegations put forth by 120 women claiming mistreatment at the hands of the celebrity.
Combs has vehemently denied the allegations against him, maintaining his innocence throughout. Following the hearing, Diddy was sent back to prison after two unsuccessful attempts at securing bail on a $50 million bond.
His legal team is now appealing for bail for the third time, with the case currently under review by the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
The legal representatives of Combs have consistently argued that their client poses no flight risk and is prepared to surrender his passport, sell his private jet, and use his $48 million home as collateral. However, these proposals have been rejected each time by the judges.
He will continue to be held in custody until his trial commences – which isn’t scheduled until May 2025.
Janice recently released a statement expressing her distress “as a mother” over the accusations leveled against her son. She stated: “I come to you today as a mother that is devastated and profoundly saddened by the allegations made against my son, Sean Combs. It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies.”
“To bear witness to what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words. Like every human being, my son deserves to have this day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.”
Janice noted her son’s prior missteps, referring to a 2016 CNN video where he seemed to attack his then-partner Cassie in an LA hotel. She stated: “Not being entirely straightforward about one issue does not mean my son is guilty of the repulsive allegations and the grave charges levelled against him.”
