Sean “Diddy” Combs remains in custody as his legal team demands unrestricted access to a laptop to prepare his defense against sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, the 55-year-old rapper and music mogul, is battling legal roadblocks while being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Charged with sex trafficking and racketeering in September, Combs has pleaded not guilty, but his defense team now claims that restrictions on his access to a government-issued laptop are jeopardizing his ability to mount an adequate defense.
Combs’ lawyers filed a formal request on Wednesday to District Judge Arun Subramanian, seeking permission for him to use the laptop in his detention unit. They argue that the current arrangement, which limits laptop access to specific times and locations, is not only “untenable” but also inconsistent with the privileges granted to other inmates.
The Legal Battle Intensifies
According to court documents, Combs was first given access to the laptop on November 25 to review discovery materials, take notes, and assist in his defense. However, his legal team alleges that he hasn’t been allowed to use it since that date despite multiple requests.
Government officials reportedly told the defense that Combs could only use the laptop in the video conference room during specific hours or in the legal visiting room between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. These conditions, his lawyers claim, force Combs to choose between using the laptop or meeting with his attorneys, significantly hampering his preparation.
“This is a violation of his rights and his ability to defend himself,” said a statement from Combs’ legal team.
Repeated Bail Denials
The request for laptop access comes on the heels of multiple denied bail applications. Judge Subramanian, who denied the most recent request on November 27, cited the severity of the charges and concerns over community safety.
Combs is accused of operating a criminal enterprise that coerced individuals into participating in sexual acts over several years. Prosecutors have also alleged witness tampering, including Combs initiating contact with a subpoenaed witness before a grand jury hearing.
Subramanian ruled that there were “no conditions of release” that could ensure public safety if Combs were granted bail.
A Complicated Case
The allegations against Combs have captivated public attention, with his legal team now calling out what they perceive as unequal treatment. “These restrictions are not in line with how other inmates in his unit are permitted to use their laptops,” the legal filing states.
As the high-profile case unfolds, the fight over access to defense tools adds another layer of complexity. Whether the court will grant Combs’ latest request remains to be seen, but the battle over his ability to prepare a defense underscores the challenges of navigating a case of this magnitude from behind bars.
