Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyers want music mogul's shackles removed for all hearings citing 'juror bias'
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Sean "Diddy" Combs, 55, is seeking permission to appear in court unshackled for his upcoming hearing and future court proceedings.
His attorney filed a late-night motion on Monday, November 18, requesting that the United States Marshals Service allow him to attend court without restraints.
The request comes ahead of Combs’ scheduled court appearance on Tuesday, November 19.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorney Marc Agnifilo argues against shackling him in court
The filing cited concerns about potential juror bias and the interference shackles may cause during legal proceedings.
In the motion obtained by People, attorney Marc Agnifilo stated, “We write on behalf of our client, Mr Sean Combs, to respectfully request that the Court direct the United States Marshals Service to unshackle Mr Combs prior to bringing him into the courtroom for tomorrow's hearing and for all future court appearances.”
He referred to an earlier incident on October 10, where Combs appeared in leg shackles without justification.
The lawyer expressed that presenting the music mogul in shackles during court proceedings creates a "paramount concern" regarding the potential for "juror bias."
"Given the press attention on the pretrial proceedings in this case, there is a substantial risk that potential jurors will learn about the shackling through the media and develop such a bias," Agnifilo wrote.
He also highlighted the impact shackling has on the defendant’s ability to communicate with their legal team and the overall respectful treatment of defendants.
Prosecutors accuse Sean 'Diddy' Combs of breaking jail rules
The latest motion follows a denied request filed on November 8. On November 15, prosecutors accused Sean "Diddy" Combs of using a "non-authorized third-party messaging service" in jail.
They further alleged that he engaged his children in a "social media campaign" around his birthday to sway public opinion and reach potential jurors.
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Prosecutors also claimed Combs made "relentless efforts to contact potential witnesses, including victims of his abuse who could provide powerful testimony against him."
Marc Agnifilo calls cell raid on Sean 'Diddy' Combs a violation of rights
On Monday, November 18, Marc Agnifilo revealed that federal agents raided Sean "Diddy" Combs’ cell on Friday, seizing "privileged material" that allegedly included defense strategies.
“The seizure violated his Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights,” Agnifilo claimed, calling it "outrageous government conduct amounting to a substantive due process violation."
The US Attorney, however, denied these claims, stating that while personal items such as a notebook and address book were photographed, no privileged material was seized.
According to TMZ, the raid was pre-planned before Combs’ arrest and prior to allegations of jury and witness tampering.
