Sean Combs’ legal team will use his “mental condition” as a defense strategy in his upcoming trial in New York on May 5.
The 55-year-old disgraced rap mogul is in a Brooklyn jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy charges. He also faces dozens of lawsuits alleging abuse of men, women, and children.
Combs’ defense team plans to have a doctor and Columbia professor testify on his behalf that he had a “mental condition” according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
The doctor will testify that Combs was not in a clear frame of mind to participate in orgies or alleged abusive activities.
Mental condition bearing on the issue of guilt
The doctor will explain to the jury that Combs had a “mental condition bearing on the issue of guilt” according to court documents obtained by TMZ on Monday.
Prosecutors argued that the doctor’s opinion on whether Combs was “lucid” is invalid. They point out that the doctor never personally examined the rapper in jail. Prosecutors said testimony would be based on the doctor’s experience with other patients.
Last week, it was revealed that Combs rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors in exchange for a minimum of 5 years in prison.
A judge denied Combs’ request to delay the start of his trial for 2 months.
In another legal blow, the judge will allow the jury to view a video that shows Combs beating his ex-Cassie Ventura at a hotel in California in 2016.
