Dundee will remain in prison while the Court of Appeal takes up the bail fight

A federal appeals judge has decided to keep Sean “Diddy” Combs locked up while he makes a third bid for bail in his sex-trafficking case, which is expected to go to trial in May.

In a ruling filed Friday (Oct. 11), Judge William J. Nardini denied the hip-hop mogul's immediate release from prison while a three-judge panel considers his request for release.

Combs' attorneys appealed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Sept. 30 after two judges denied his release.

Combs, 54, has been held in a federal prison in Brooklyn since his Sept. 16 arrest on charges that he used his “power and prestige” as a music star to lure female victims into male-dominated sex acts. workers at events called 'Freak Offs'.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, claiming he coerced and abused women for years with the help of a network of associates and employees, and silenced victims through extortion and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.

At a bail hearing three weeks ago, a judge rejected the defense's $50 million bail proposal that would have allowed the “I'll Be Missing You” singer to be placed under house arrest at his Florida mansion with GPS monitoring and strict restrictions on visitors. .

Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr., who has since recused himself from the case, said prosecutors had presented “clear and convincing evidence” that Combs is a danger to the community. He said “no condition or set of conditions” could protect against the risk of Combs obstructing the investigation or threatening or harming witnesses.

In their appeal, Combs' lawyers argued that the judge had “endorsed the government's exaggerated rhetoric” and ordered Combs' detention for “purely speculative reasons.”

“Indeed, there is virtually no flight risk, he is a 54-year-old father of seven, a US citizen, a highly successful artist, businessman and philanthropist, and one of the most recognizable people on earth,” the lawyers wrote.

Combs' lawyers have not asked the new judge, Arun Subramanian, to consider releasing him on bail. At a hearing Thursday, as Combs sat next to his lawyers in a beige prison jumpsuit, Subramanian suggested he would at least be open to addressing the issue.

After setting a May 5 trial date, Subramanian briefly questioned Cobbs' attorneys about his treatment at the Metropolitan Detention Center, which has been plagued by violence and dysfunction for years.

Combs' attorney, Mark Agnifilo, who had previously requested that he be transferred to a New Jersey prison, told the judge: “We are abolishing MDC. MDC has been very responsive for us.”

Another lawyer for Combs, Anthony Ricco, told reporters outside court later: “She is doing well. It's a difficult time. He makes the best of the situation.”

But Rico said, “No one is okay to stay in jail for now.”