Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1726838728

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs latest: Rapper ‘put on suicide watch’ as he awaits trial behind bars

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has faced a series of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse over the last year

Ariana Baio,Rhian Lubin
Friday 20 September 2024 14:25
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s lawyer speaks outside of court and says his client is ‘a fighter’ and ‘not afraid of the charges’ against him

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Sean “Diddy” Combs is “on suicide watch” in prison as he awaits trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, according to reports.

The rapper appeared in court on Wednesday to propose a $50 million bail package to avoid the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, but he was denied by the judge.

According to PEOPLE, Diddy has been placed on suicide watch as a “preventative measure”. On Wednesday Diddy’s lawyers argued he was not a flight risk or dangerous, but they failed to convince the judge.

The prosecution shared alleged text messages from Diddy to his ex, Cassie Ventura, following the attack on her in 2016 to argue he should remain behind bars until trial.

Diddy allegedly said: “Call me, the cops are here. I got six kids. You, please call. I’m surrounded. You gonna abandon me all alone.”

He pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution and maintains he is "an innocent man."

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

1726838728

The case against Diddy in numbers

In court this week, the prosecution said there is “a massive amount of evidence” against the defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges again him.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the figures:

  • More than 50 alleged victims and witnesses interviewed
  • 300 grand jury subpoenas served
  • 20 search warrants obtained
  • 100 seized phones, tablets and iCloud accounts
  • 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant seized in the raid on his home earlier this year
A court sketch of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs from this week
A court sketch of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs from this week (REUTERS)
Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 14:25
1726836645

Legal team asked if Diddy could move prisons

Diddy’s legal team have requested whether the judge would consider transferring their client from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to a facility in Essex County, New Jersey.

The defense must file a motion on the question of location by Monday, the judge said, according to NBC.

His legal team had tried to keep the rapper out of the notorious New York facility, but a judge ruled he must stay there until trial.

Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 13:50
1726834845

Diddy’s next court appearance

Diddy’s next court appearance is reportedly scheduled for October 9.

CNN reports his lawyer plans to appeal the ruling to deny bail again. “I’m not going to let him sit in that jail a day longer than he has to,” Agnifilo said.

No trial date has been set for Diddy yet and he could be waiting a while behind bars.

He faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly running a decades-long “criminal enterprise” that forced victims to carry out sex acts. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Agnifilo said he wants the case to go to trial as soon as possible, but his team is considering the next steps following Wednesday’s bail denial.

Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s lawyer, speaks to reports outside court
Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s lawyer, speaks to reports outside court (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 13:20
1726832952

First meal in prison revealed

The music mogul has switched his sprawling multi-million-dollar mansions in LA and Miami for the comfort of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, an infamous facility that has previously counted Ghislaine Maxwell and R Kelly among its inmates.

As he awaits trial in the jail, the disgraced rapper will be served three meals a day which will be delivered to his cell.

The first meal Diddy tucked into behind bars was Swedish meatballs, according to MDC’s menu obtained by The New York Post. He also had the option of a vegetarian black bean burger.

Read the full story here.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s first meal behind bars at notorious New York jail revealed

Inside the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, the disgraced rapper will be served three meals a day and will be required to mop the floor of his own cell

Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 12:49
1726830945

Reminder of why two judges denied bail

Two judges refused to grant Diddy bail this week.

The $50 million proposed bail package his lawyers put forward, including the surrender of his passport, was not enough to convince them to release him from custody until trial.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky voiced concern about Diddy contacting potential witnesses as the government continues to investigate the allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, which he strongly denies.

“The alleged victims are people with whom there is a power imbalance,” Judge Tarnofsky said. She added they are “susceptible to coercion”.

On Wednesday, District Court Judge Andrew Carter issued a similar ruling.

“I’ve heard from the parties, I find that the government has proven the defendant is a danger,” Carter said.

Diddy pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 12:15
1726829145

Cassie spotted for the first time since Diddy arrest

Cassie Ventura has been spotted for the first time since her ex was arrested.

She was seen having fun with friends out for dinner in New York City two days after Diddy was arrested, PEOPLE reports.

Text messages Diddy allegedly sent the singer following his brutal attack on her in 2016 were read out in court.

While Ventura was not mentioned by name, prosecutors referred to the footage of the incident, which was made public by CNN earlier this year.

Diddy allegedly said: “Call me, the cops are here. I got six kids. You, please call. I’m surrounded. You gonna abandon me all alone.”

Ventura replied: “I have a black eye and a fat lip. You are sick for thinking it’s okay to do what you’ve done. I still have crazy bruising.”

Cassie has been seen out in New York with friends this week
Cassie has been seen out in New York with friends this week (Getty Images/Instagram @diddy)
Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 11:45
1726827345

What’s in the indictment?

A reminder of the charges and allegations detailed in the indictment against the rapper.

Diddy, who has been accused of rape and sexual abuse in at least nine civil lawsuits this past year, was arrested in New York on Monday night and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

On Tuesday morning, Diddy appeared in a Manhattan federal court to plead not guilty to the charges.

“For decades, Sean Combs… abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” federal prosecutors said in the indictment.

In the 14-page indictment, prosecutors allege Diddy coerced and drugged women to participate in recorded “highly orchestrated performances” of sexual activity – which he called “Freak Offs” – that would sometimes last days and often included male commercial sex workers.

His lawyers maintain he is “an innocent man”.

Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 11:15
1726825545

‘Diddy ruined my life’ - former rapper Shyne caught up in 1999 nightclub shooting speaks out

Former rapper Shyne has described how Diddy “destroyed” his life following a New York nightclub shooting in 1999.

Shyne, now known as Moses Barrow, signed to Diddy’s label Bad Boy Records in 1998.

The following year, Diddy and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were with Barrow at a Manhattan nightclub called Club New York.

Witnesses said there was a heated argument between Diddy and another man, Matthew “Scar” Allen. A scuffle broke out, guns were drawn and three bystanders were injured.

At the resulting trial, Barrow was convicted of assault and reckless endangerment while Diddy was acquitted of all charges. Barrow spent nine years in maximum security prison.

Kevin E.G Perry reports.

Former Bad Boy rapper Shyne says Diddy ‘destroyed my life’ over nightclub shooting

Shyne was in prison for nearly a decade after the 1999 shooting involving Diddy and then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez

Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 10:45
1726823753

Diddy ‘put on suicide watch’ according to reports

Diddy has been put “on suicide watch” at the Metropolitan Detention Center as he awaits trial, according to reports.

According to PEOPLE, the rapper has been placed on suicide watch as a “preventative measure”.

In their motion to grant Diddy bail, his lawyers cited the conditions inside the prison. “Several courts in this District have recognized that the conditions at Metropolitan Detention Center are not fit for pre-trial detention,” they wrote.

The judge sided with the prosecution and sent Diddy back to pre-trial detention.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 10:15
1726821928

Diddy flew to New York 12 days before arrest

One of Diddy’s attorneys revealed the rapper flew to New York 12 days before his arrest in anticipation of the charges coming against him.

Teny Geragos told NewsNation’s CUOMO show: “12 days ago, when we thought there’s an indictment that may be coming, he flew to New York the very next day, he got on a plane and he came here.

“And that’s an extraordinary move for a defendant who’s been under investigation that he’s been aware of for at least six months.

“He came to the very jurisdiction that is investigating him, and he said, ‘I’m here. I want to surrender. Let me surrender.’”

One of Diddy’s attorneys, Teny Geragos, speaks to host Chris Cuomo
One of Diddy’s attorneys, Teny Geragos, speaks to host Chris Cuomo (NewsNation)
Rhian Lubin20 September 2024 09:45

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in