Hip hop mogul P. Diddy was denied bail yet again by the judge in his sex trafficking case, in the latest legal setback for the music producer.
Judge Arun Subramanian decided "there is compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence," ending his fourth bid for freedom as he awaits trial.
Prosecutors asked the judge to keep Diddy locked up in his Brooklyn jail, citing his history of violence and his efforts to obstruct the prosecution from inside prison.
Diddy has been accused of trying to influence the jury by recruiting his children on social media. Diddy also referenced paying off witnesses and finding "dirt" on victims in handwritten notes that were seized in a sweep of the jail.
While Diddy has offered an eye-watering sum of $50 million, he has been repeatedly denied release. Prosecutors asked judge Subramanian to deny his latest request, citing a litany of violent behavior as proof of his danger to the community.
"Former staff members have described the defendant threatening to kill them, throwing objects at them, and being struck, punched, and shoved by the defendant, and seeing him do the same to others," prosecutors alleged.
"This significant history of violence must be taken into account when viewing the defendant obstructive activity. Taken together, there can be no doubt that the Government has proven the defendant’s dangerousness by clear and convincing evidence."
Agreeing with prosecutors, the judge said "no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community."
The judge cited an infamous video of his assault of ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel.
Diddy's lawyers said the video was edited, but the judge was unmoved, while also citing contemporaneous text messages.
"I have a black eye and a fat lip. You are sick for thinking it's OK to do what you've done," one message said. "I still have crazy bruising."
The judge also pointed to Combs' conduct inside the jail, such as calling and texting witnesses and using the phone access codes of other inmates, as evidence that Combs cannot be safely released under any circumstances.
"[Combs'] willingness to skirt BOP rules in a way that would make it more difficult for his communications to be monitored is strong evidence that the Court cannot be reasonably assure[d] as to the sufficiency of any conditions of release," Subramanian said.
In addition to his criminal trial, the star is also facing a battery of civil lawsuits from dozens of alleged victims, including minors.
