Diddy's lawyers explain why they want his shackles off for pretrial hearing

2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals
2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals / John Shearer/GettyImages
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Diddy's lawyer Marc Agnifilo recently accused prosecutors of taking the mogul's pretrial notes during a jail raid. Diddy has been locked up at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn for two months now, after being arrested for sex trafficking. The jail was raided on October 28.

So, Agnifilo requested a hearing to discuss the allegation. Plus, Diddy's legal team is saying they don't want the Bad Boy founder to be shackled for it. The way they see it, if he is restrained at the hearing, it'll negatively affect jurors. The hearing is scheduled for today, November 19, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

"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," wrote the legal team, per reporter Meghann Cuniff.

"Because there is absolutely no reason to shackle Mr. Combs during court proceedings," their letter continued. "And because such shackling prejudices the potential jury pool, undermines his presumption of innocence, interferes with his ability to communicate with counsel, and offends the dignity and decorum of the proceedings, we respectfully request that the Court direct the U.S. Marshals Service to remove his shackles before bringing him into the courtroom."

The music executive, rapper, and businessman is being accused of transporting prostitutes for sex parties. It's also said he used a combination of drugs, and intimidation to get female party guests to have sex with those male sex workers.

Moreover, prosecutors said when Diddy's cell was raided, his notes revealed that he paid singer Kalenna Harper to defend him after singer Dawn Richard sued him for sexual assault and abuse of power.

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to the charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and hiring the sex workers.