Assistant U. Combs' mother flew in from Florida for the proceeding, sitting behind him with his children and other family members in the courtroom gallery. Johnson took issue with the defense lawyers' argument in a submission late Wednesday that the U. Combs of his right to a fair trial. Still, Subramanian told defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo to write a proposed order that he would sign instructing lawyers on both sides to comply with rules prohibiting them from publicly disclosing information that could taint a jury.
Combs, 54, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges alleging he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
Johnson reasserted that the indictment could be updated to add charges or defendants. When he entered the courtroom, he gave a hearty hug to each of his lawyers and smiled as he spoke with them. During the proceeding, he turned to attorney Anthony Ricco and whispered in his ear, as Johnson spoke about electronic materials seized from his residences and from him during his arrest.
Ricco said outside the courthouse afterward that Combs is making the best of a difficult situation. She said another four devices were seized when Combs was arrested last month. The judge said Combs can return to court in December unless lawyers agree that hearing is unnecessary. Responding Wednesday night in a court filing to defense claims that the federal government had leaked the video to CNN, prosecutors told the judge that the government was not in possession of the video before it was aired on CNN.
In Combs' indictment, prosecutors allege he tried to bribe a hotel security staffer to stay mum about the video. He has been held at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his Sept.
