The perfect curiosity of Sean “Diddy” Combs and his protection workforce is to guard his popularity as a regulation abiding citizen who gained’t fold beneath the authorized strain he’s going through. Nevertheless, based mostly on his newest court docket look, Diddy don’t appear to be he’s doing too scorching. Right here’s three issues to notice from his final listening to:
1. Endearing Gesture
The rapper was due in court docket this week for a standing listening to to settle the schedule transferring ahead in his pending federal intercourse trafficking case. The 55-year-old was reported to have walked in donning a khaki jail jumpsuit. ABC Information reported he appeared to mouth “You okay?” to considered one of his sons who was within the viewers. His son responded by nodding and putting his fist over his coronary heart, the report says.
Combs’ kids beforehand shared a press release saying they stood “united” in assist of their father and slammed the general public for judging him on “conspiracy theories and false narratives.”
2. Combs in Regarding Situation
An insider tells PEOPLE regardless of the pending prosecution, Combs is “match, wholesome and totally targeted on his protection.”
“He has been very energetic, stays in good spirits, and, as at all times, he was pleased to see his kids,” the supply stated to the journal.
Nevertheless, Legislation&Crime reporter Elizabeth Millner stated when she attended the listening to, she seen Combs seemed simply the alternative of “match and wholesome.”
“He appeared simply astonishingly thinner, which you’ll count on [being] inside a federal detention middle for a few months now,” Millner stated. “Rather a lot totally different from the posh life-style that he was residing earlier than, however he appeared very noticeably thinner and possibly being locked up in detention is beginning to put on on him.”
Millner additionally added that his hair appeared grayer.
3. A Nicely Want
Whereas exiting the courtroom, Combs was reported to cease and switch to his attorneys and courtroom spectators to say “Comfortable holidays, y’all,” per ABC.
“I simply needed to say goodbye,” he stated, per the report. His attorneys then surrounded him for a hug earlier than marshals escorted him out. This was his final in-person look, assumably, till his subsequent court docket listening to which gained’t be till March 17.
Prosecutors stated they’re on observe to reveal all proof out there to the protection by the tip of the yr.
Combs has been in jail since Monday, Sept. 16, when he was arrested in Manhattan by federal authorities, six months after they raided his two properties in Los Angeles and Miami. His indictment was unsealed the next morning, revealing prices of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking and fascinating in interstate transportation for prostitution. The allegations in opposition to Combs embrace sexual abuse, bodily abuse, bribery and numerous drug offenses.
These allegations have been first introduced forth by ex-girlfriend and Unhealthy Boy Data signee Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a civil go well with that accused him of intercourse trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault, and different allegations. Combs rapidly settled the go well with inside 24 hours, however lawsuits from different associates have rapidly adopted within the months since. Most just lately, Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee introduced he’s representing over 100 plaintiffs who got here ahead with claims of rape, sexual exploitation and sexual assault in opposition to the rapper.
Whereas lots of the fits since 2023 have been civil, this federal case has Combs going through prison prices. He has pleaded not responsible, and was denied bail thrice. His trial is scheduled for Might 2025.