Prosecutors are being asked to destroy their copies of the handwritten notes “Diddy” took in prison because they are subject to attorney-client privilege.

NEW YORK, United States – A US judge on Tuesday (November 19) ordered prosecutors to destroy their copies of handwritten notes that Sean “Diddy” Combs took in prison, pending a decision on whether they can be used in the of the rapper and producer’s preparation for sex trafficking. trial.

At a hearing in Manhattan federal court, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said prosecutors should not view the notes while he considers the defense’s argument that they were subject to attorney-client privilege. attorney, a legal doctrine that protects confidential communications between lawyers and their clients.

“Get rid of them,” Subramanian ordered prosecutors. Combs, 55, was arrested in September for using his business empire, including the Bad Boy Entertainment label, to transport women and sex workers across state lines to perform in taped shows called ” Freak Offs.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The music mogul is scheduled to go on trial starting May 5 on three counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to prosecute. Combs’ lawyers have said the sexual activity described in the indictment was consensual.

Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan received photographs of notes taken by an investigator during a search of Combs’ cell during a broad search planned Oct. 28 by various federal agencies at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Prosecutors said Combs wrote about paying potential witnesses and digging up information on them. They said this could amount to obstruction of justice, meaning attorney-client privilege should not apply.

“The information in question is not protected,” prosecutor Mary Slavik said during the hearing.

Slavik said prosecutors are still investigating the case and could bring more charges.

Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, said the notes concern defense witnesses and strategies. Agnifilo called the seizure of the tickets a violation of Combs’ right to a fair trial and protection against self-incrimination and unreasonable searches and seizures under the U.S. Constitution.

“This has been a complete institutional failure,” Agnifilo said.

Subramanian said he would keep a copy of the notes until he determines whether prosecutors have the right to use them to build their case. The judge said a separate team within the U.S. Attorney’s Office, tasked with reviewing attorney-client privilege documents, could preserve them.

Separately, Combs is seeking release on a $50 million bond backed by his $48 million Florida mansion and co-signed by several members of his family. He was denied bail three times, with several judges citing the risk that he could tamper with witnesses.

A hearing on the bail request is scheduled for Friday. Prosecutors agreed Tuesday that Subramanian should not consider the contents of Combs’ notes before deciding whether to release him. – Rappler.com