Diddy Fights to Appear Unshackled in Court as Legal Troubles Mount

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Sean "Diddy" Combs has filed a request through his attorney to appear unshackled during court proceedings. The motion, submitted late on Monday, Nov. 18, argues that shackling the music mogul creates risks of juror bias and hampers his ability to communicate with his defense team.
“We write on behalf of our client, Mr. Sean Combs, to respectfully request that the Court direct the United States Marshals Service to unshackle Mr. Combs prior to bringing him into the courtroom for tomorrow's hearing and for all future court appearances,” his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, wrote in court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
This request follows Combs’ Oct. 10 court appearance, during which he remained in leg shackles. Agnifilo stated there was “no justification” for such treatment and highlighted concerns that media coverage of his shackling could influence potential jurors.
“Given the press attention on the pretrial proceedings in this case, there is a substantial risk that potential jurors will learn about the shackling through the media and develop such a bias,” Agnifilo argued.
The motion also claims that shackling interferes with Combs’ ability to effectively communicate with his legal counsel, undermining the respectful treatment of defendants.
### Allegations of Jail Violations
The motion comes amidst allegations from prosecutors that Combs violated jail rules. According to documents filed on Friday, Nov. 15, Combs used a "non-authorized third-party messaging service" to communicate with multiple people while incarcerated in Brooklyn. Prosecutors further allege that he enlisted his children to launch a social media campaign tied to his birthday, potentially influencing jurors.
This follows Combs’ unsuccessful bail motion earlier this month. His attorneys proposed a $50 million bail package, arguing that newly surfaced evidence supports his release. The prosecution, however, pointed to Combs’ history of alleged “freak offs” and referenced a March 2016 video, described in the indictment as evidence of assault.
Combs’ defense pushed back, claiming the video showed a consensual relationship, not coercion. “The video is not evidence of a coerced 'freak off,' but rather a minutes-long glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship between Mr. Combs and Victim 1,” his lawyers stated in the motion.
### Trial Scheduled for May 2025
Facing racketeering and sex trafficking charges, Combs has pleaded not guilty to all allegations. His trial is currently set for May 2025. Meanwhile, the motion to appear unshackled remains a focal point of his defense strategy as the high-profile case continues to draw significant public and media attention.
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