Diddy is desperate to get out of jail. But if THIS works?? Oh my…
As Perezcious readers know, Sean Combs has been behind bars since his arrest for sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges on September 16. He’s already tried twice to get out on bail but was denied. Earlier this week, he filed yet another appeal to get the decision overturned, and now he’s trying to get the whole case dismissed!
WHAT?!
According to court docs obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Puff Daddy’s lawyers filed a motion for an evidentiary hearing on Wednesday. In that filing, they accused the federal government of leaking that shocking video of the rapper horrifically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel.
Related: Diddy’s Teen Daughters Visit Him In Jail For First Time Since Arrest!
The attorneys believe the security footage, first published by CNN, was part of a “seven-month campaign” initiated by prosecutors and law enforcement agents to “undermine Mr. Combs’ right to a fair trial” and to “raise public hostility against Mr. Combs in advance of trial.” His team urged:
“The leaks have resulted in damaging and highly prejudicial media coverage, particularly sensationalizing the investigation and the involvement of Mr. Combs’ family.”
Furthermore, the lawyers claimed the feds impacted the musician’s “rights to a fair proceeding” by “a steady stream of false and prejudicial statements made by [Department of Homeland Security] agents to various press outlets over the last seven months.” In addition, they claim the agents engaged in “a particularly brutal and public search of Mr. Combs’ homes,” which involved his “innocent sons.” They argued:
“This was an apparent effort to convey that they had overwhelming evidence against Mr. Combs, justifying the public and brutal treatment of even his children, who were handcuffed and manhandled by federal agents armed with assault rifles.”
So, why is a leak such a big deal??
Well, Diddy’s team is arguing that the Department of Homeland Security leaked the video as part of a plan to secure an indictment from the grand jury and prevent the A-lister from getting a fair trial, such as by turning “the public and potential jurors against Mr. Combs” via these so-called leaks. But if so, this would be a “violation of grand jury secrecy.” A big no-no!
They also don’t think Cassie is the source of the leak considering she’d already secured a “substantial eight-figure settlement” after her lawsuit which kicked this whole ordeal off. Lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos wrote in the docs:
“The videotape was leaked to CNN for one reason alone: to mortally wound the reputation and the prospect of Sean Combs successfully defending himself against these allegations.”
During the Last Night artist’s bail hearing, per THR, the video proved to be a key piece of evidence. It is believed that it will be used to prove the father of seven violated sex trafficking laws — which require proof that “commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion.” His actions in the video would certainly seem to show “force,” that’s for sure.
It’s also a big deal because court rules require that the feds can’t disclose “anything that will reveal what transpired” as part of grand jury proceedings. So, if the hearing is granted, it’ll determine whether or not any shady behavior occurred in the case — and depending on the result, Diddy may try to get off on ALL the charges! The filing stated:
“After the evidentiary hearing, and the extent and nature of the misconduct has been clarified, Mr. Combs will submit requests for any additional appropriate remedies, including disqualification of witnesses, suppression of evidence including the 2016 video, or dismissal of all charges in the indictment.”
Wow!!
After everything we’ve heard, it would be WILD if he just walked away, totally unscathed, all because of an alleged leak like this. Jeez…
In the meantime, Diddy’s lawyers are asking the court to order the discovery of any documents, texts, or emails by government attorneys or agents related to this. They also requested a gag order to block government staff from sharing any material connected to the case with the media and for the “suppression of any evidence leaked by government employees in violation” of these rules. So far, no decision has been made. However, a status meeting is scheduled for today (Thursday), People reported.
FWIW, CNN journalist Elizabeth Wagmeister told The Viall Files podcast back in September that the footage was referenced in a civil suit against the music mogul before her team “independently came across” it, per Us Weekly. Hmm…
Thoughts?? Do you think this might actually work? Sound OFF (below)!
[Image via WENN/Eugene Powers]