Sean "Diddy" Combs' impending sex trafficking trial has been shaken by internal disputes in his defense team, leading to a key lawyer's departure according to Deadline.
As the trial date looms on May 5, Combs remains detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following his arrest on September 16. He faces severe charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution, any of which could lead to a life sentence.
Anthony Ricco, who had been a prominent figure in Combs' defense, officially requested withdrawal from the case this week.
Despite joining shortly after Combs' arrest on September 22, Ricco cited an unorganized defense strategy and internal team disputes as reasons for his departure.
Upon announcing his intention to leave, Ricco emphasized his inability to provide the required standard of legal service. His withdrawal still awaits the approval of Judge Arun Subramanian, further complicating the defense’s state of readiness. Ricco's declaration highlighted a challenging environment that hindered his performance.
The defense team has faced numerous pre-trial setbacks, including unsuccessful attempts to secure Combs' release on $50 million bail. This prolonged pre-trial detention has only added to the defense's difficulties, manifesting in their legal motions and strategy.
Additionally, the recent dismissal of a civil case against Combs and Jay-Z, which involved accusations of raping a 13-year-old in 2000, has done little to ease the tensions within the legal team.
Matthew Podolsky, the Acting U.S. Attorney, has been vocal about his criticisms of Combs' legal team. He has accused them of employing delay tactics to push the trial date further.
According to a letter he addressed to Judge Subramanian, these tactics included requests for early disclosures of victim and witness identities, which he deemed unnecessary for trial preparation.
“The defendant’s renewed request for a bill of particulars is merely an attempt to relitigate the pretrial schedule,” Podolsky stated, dismissing the defense's claims that such information was crucial for building a strong case.
Indeed, the U.S. Attorney's office had already provided detailed documentation concerning the charges against Combs, aiming to refute any claims by the defense of being underprepared.
In a notable twist, Combs has also taken legal action against external entities, including a $100 million lawsuit filed against NBCUniversal this February. He alleges that a documentary released by them presented misleading information that has influenced public perception and potentially, the case's outcome.
Meanwhile, his defense has pointed fingers at the U.S. legal system itself, labeling the laws under which Combs is being prosecuted as racially biased. This claim of racial prejudice has not been universally accepted and has stirred further debate around the high-profile case.
Comments from both insiders and legal experts paint a grim picture of the defense's current state. A source close to Combs' team denied any disarray, asserting that Ricco’s departure would not impact the overall strategy or readiness of the defense.
Yet, skepticism remains among observers. “It’s become a real sh*tshow, they’re desperate to not go to trial. Look at the filings, they’re throwing everything at the wall and praying something sticks,” commented an attorney familiar with the details of the case.
An insider echoed this sentiment, critiquing the defense's focus. “They should be all over the prosecution and the indictment right now,” the source stated, indicating that the allegations of racism were not a well-advised strategy.