Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has requested access to a laptop in his detention centre to assist in his defence.
The rap mogul pleaded not guilty to an indictment that has seen him charged with racketeering and sex trafficking, and his trial in the federal criminal case is set to begin on May 5 next year.
He has been held in a federal jail in Brooklyn since his arrest on September 16, and now his legal team have filed a motion urging the court to compel the detention centre to provide the laptop.
They claim the computer has already been prepared by the government for reviewing case materials, but has not been made available to Combs despite repeated requests.
The defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo wrote: “We write on behalf of Mr. Combs to request that the Court direct the MDC [Metropolitan Detention Centre] to provide Mr. Combs with the laptop prepared for him by the government, and allow him to use that laptop on his unit, consistent with the way other inmates on his unit are permitted to use their laptops.”
“Two months after he was charged and detained, on November 25, 2024, the government provided the MDC with a laptop that Mr. Combs can use to review discovery, take notes related to his case, and otherwise assist in his defense,” Agnifilo added. “In the nine days since then, Mr. Combs has still not been provided with the laptop despite numerous inquiries by defense counsel.”
Combs has been denied bail on multiple occasions, with the first denial coming after he offered a $50million (£38.4million) bond. He was subsequently reportedly placed on suicide watch.
Combs was denied bail for the third time, with the judge declaring that “the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community”.
Another reason for the denial of bail is due to prosecutors claiming that Combs has attempted to misuse jail resources to influence witnesses in his case and coercing at least eight other inmates to use their phones.
Another wave of sexual misconduct lawsuits were filed against him by five more anonymous accusers last month. Three men and two women claim they were drugged and sexually assaulted by the rapper in incidents in New York and Miami dating back to 2001.
Those allegations follow an accusation in late October of Diddy allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in 2005. Before that, it was reported that over 120 people had come forward with new allegations – including 25 minors.
Diddy has – through representatives – denied all allegations against him to date. Should he be found guilty, he could face 15 years to life in prison.
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
The post Diddy requests access to laptop in prison to “assist in his defence” appeared first on NME.
