Diddy Chooses to Stay in Jail Ahead of Trial, Drops Bail Appeal

Our reporter

Sean "Diddy" Combs has voluntarily chosen to drop his appeal for bail and will remain in custody until his criminal trial begins in May. The decision comes after Combs’ legal team filed a motion to dismiss the appeal, signaling that the hip-hop mogul will not seek release ahead of his trial.

The motion, filed by his attorneys, stated that Combs no longer intends to challenge the district court's ruling, which had earlier denied his request for bail. The filing confirmed that the music mogul will stay at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn until the trial commences in May 2024.

The ruling to keep Combs in jail follows concerns raised by Manhattan federal authorities about his potential risk to the case. In a previous hearing, the judge cited "compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence" and suggested that his release would pose a "serious risk of witness tampering."

Combs’ legal team had proposed a $50 million bond along with strict house arrest conditions, but prosecutors argued that the rapper, even from jail, had attempted to influence witnesses and interfere with the investigation. Among the allegations, prosecutors highlighted that Combs had made contact with a key witness ahead of the grand jury's proceedings, violating jail protocols in the process.

The charges against Combs stem from accusations that he orchestrated a criminal enterprise, allegedly engaging in a series of violent and exploitative acts in pursuit of "sexual gratification." Court documents suggest that the music mogul organised so-called "freak off" parties, where drugs were used to coerce victims into sex acts.

As Combs’ legal team shifts focus to the trial, all eyes will be on the high-profile case when proceedings begin in early May.