Sean “Diddy” Combs has been refused bail for the third occasion.
Several sites reported that U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian rejected the rapper's request on Wednesday after his court appearance on Friday.
“The Court finds 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,” Subramanian wrote in a five-page order, CNN reported.
Prosecutors contended in court on Friday that Combs, 55, presents an excessive threat to victims if released from incarceration before his sex trafficking and racketeering trial, scheduled to commence on May 5.
They asserted that he would attempt to intimidate witnesses if released from incarceration and that he was already interfering with witnesses through three-way calls while in federal prison at NYC’s Metropolitan Detention Center, where he has been detained since his arrest in September.
Subramanian's judgment allegedly cited evidence that the discredited music entrepreneur had misrepresented his use of the ContactMeASAP program for convicts.
During the two-hour court hearing on Friday, his defense allegedly asserted that he ceased utilizing the service on November 16; nonetheless, evidence indicated his activity on November 24.
To secure approval for his bail plea, Combs' legal team contended that a round-the-clock private security crew would more effectively monitor Combs than federal authorities, proposing that he may dwell in a three-bedroom apartment in Manhattan's prestigious Upper East Side.
His staff's proposal that he remain at his Miami estate, which was raided by Homeland Security alongside his recently listed Los Angeles residence in March, was promptly dismissed, as PageSix reported.
His legal counsel stated he was ready to post a $50 million bond.
The case has ignited fervent public discourse, eliciting a deluge of opinions on social media. Both proponents and opponents have expressed their views on the decision.
"The judge made the right call. Public safety must come first," a netizen said. "Innocent until proven guilty. Denying bail seems excessive for someone who hasn’t been convicted yet," an X user wrote.
"This is about protecting victims and witnesses. The system is doing its job," a third netizen stated. "Sad to see an icon fall this far. He should focus on clearing his name," a fourth source added.
"Misusing communication programs in prison? That’s a clear sign of ongoing interference," another X user penned. "The evidence keeps piling up. It’s hard to argue for his release with these allegations," a sixth netizen claimed.
Business Times has reached out to Sean "Diddy" Combs' camp for comments.
