By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-19 05:31:43 | Updated at 2024-12-19 08:20:37
3 hours ago
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and two of his sons exchanged seemingly heartfelt gestures at one another as they were in court for a hearing ahead of his blockbuster sex trafficking trial.
Combs, 55, remains locked up at a Brooklyn jail and has been charged by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York for sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
He appeared for a hearing that lasted about 45 minutes on Wednesday, largely meant to schedule future court dates and for the prosecution to hand over important documents.
The prosecutors reportedly gathered a very large tranche of information against Combs. The rapper actually wished those gathered outside the courtroom a 'happy holidays' on his way out, according to ABC News.
He then thanked his lawyers before adding: 'I just want to say goodbye.'
Christian and Justin, two of Diddy's children, appeared in court and gestured at their father with their hands folding in prayer.
Combs responded by waving at Christian, 26 and Justin, 30. Neither paid any attention to reporters begging for answers as they left.
The brief reunion apparently could not lift their spirits as DailyMail.com cameras spotted the two men appearing grim-faced upon leaving the courthouse.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and two of his sons exchanged seemingly heartfelt gestures at one another as they were in court for a hearing ahead of his blockbuster sex trafficking trial
Christian and Justin, two of Diddy's children, appeared in court and gestured at their father with their hands folding in prayer. The brief reunion apparently could not lift their spirits as DailyMail.com cameras spotted the two men appearing grim-faced upon leaving the courthouse
Combs himself was described as looking thinner and with gray hair at his most recent public appearance, according to one legal expert who was in the courtroom.
The mogul has been hit with civil lawsuits that alleged he also sexually assaulted minors, but no criminal charges involving teens has been included in his criminal indictment.
The rapper and music producer has denied all the charges against him. His lawyers have also maintained his innocence as Combs faces more than two dozen sexual assault cases in New York and California.
Diddy was arrested and charged on September 16 for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The charge, which details allegations dating back to 2008, accuses him of abusing, threatening and coercing women for years 'to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.'
The rapper is currently being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City.
The prosecution argued that the rapper has a long history of intimidating both accusers and witnesses to his alleged abuse and cited security footage that showed Combs hitting his then-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, in a hotel hallway.
Prosecutors accuse the hip-hop mogul of inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes days-long sexual performances referred to as 'Freak Offs.'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, was arrested and charged on September 16 for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution
Combs responded by waving at Christian, 26 and Justin, 30. Neither paid any attention to reporters begging for answers as they left
In the indictment against Diddy it was claimed that federal raids on his Miami and Los Angeles mansions led to the discovery of over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.
His lawyer Marc Agnifilo explained the alleged reason behind the '1,000 bottles' of baby oil and lubricant: 'I don't think it was 1,000. I think it was a lot. I mean, there is a Costco right down the street. I think Americans buy in bulk, as we know,' he told the New York Post.
Later, Costco chimed in and slammed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying they do not carry baby oil in any of their U.S. retail locations.
Diddy's associates would allegedly ply victims with drugs to keep them compliant and would make threats against anyone refusing to engage, in claims similar to those made in a civil lawsuit brought by Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie last year.
These allegations were central to prosecutors bringing sex trafficking charges against the producer, with observers noting that authorities are increasingly expanding the law to suit their cases against powerful defendants.
Agnifolo - whose wife Karen recently joined the legal team of UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer Luigi Mangione - previously said that the Bad Boy Records founder is 'eager' to testify.
'I don't know that I could keep him off the stand,' he said. 'I think he is very eager to tell his story. And I think he will tell every part of his story.'
If convicted, Diddy could spend the rest of his life behind bars. His trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 5.
