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
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
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.
Watch: Diddy’s lawyer says his client ‘is a fighter’
Diddy ‘on procedural suicide watch' - reports
More details on Diddy reportedly being placed “on suicide watch” now.
A source told NBC the move was “procedural with high profile clients” and Diddy “remains strong and focused on his defense” as he awaits trial.
His lawyers are hoping to get him out of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn before trial, they said.
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.
In depth: The epic fall from grace of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
More than three decades after Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs named his label Bad Boy Records, he’s been arrested on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, accused of everything from arson to kidnapping.
He has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations against him.
As authorities outline the shocking activities allegedly carried out at Diddy’s direction by his “criminal enterprise,” Sheila Flynn charts the star’s epic fall from grace.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the rise of his ‘criminal enterprise’
More than three decades after Sean Combs named his label Bad Boy Records, he’s been arrested on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, accused of everything from arson to kidnapping. As authorities outline the shocking activities allegedly carried out at Combs’ direction by his “criminal enterprise,” Sheila Flynn charts the star’s epic fall from grace
Footage shows grim conditions inside prison where Diddy is held
Video gives a glimpse of the grim conditions inside the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
The rapper is being held in the prison on pretrial detention.
The footage, obtained by Spectrum News NY1, shows cockroaches in the cereal and mold growing in the showers.
Watch here.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.