By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on February 22, 2025
An Editorial Opinion
Anthony L. Ricco is one of the six attorneys representing Sean “Diddy” Combs in his pending New York criminal case. On Friday, Ricco filed a motion to withdraw from this case.
Diddy is charged with leading a racketeering enterprise that included sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. If convicted, Diddy faces imprisonment for life.
Ricco was hired on September 22, 2024 to represent Diddy in the case. Yesterday, Ricco told the court in an accompanying affidavit that:
“Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs, consistent with the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice.”
Diddy’s remaining defense attorneys are Marc Antony Agnifilo, Teny Rose Geragos, Alexandra A.E. Shapiro, Anna Maria Estevao, and Jason Anthony Driscoll. None of these attorneys has a national reputation for winning complex criminal cases involving high-profile “outcast” defendants, which is Diddy's current status within the criminal justice system.
The Docket Sheet Tells the Real Story
After Ricco filed his motion to withdraw, I retrieved and reviewed the Docket Sheet in Diddy's case to see what is really happening in the case. The Docket Sheet did not reflect the aggressive defensive activity and creative strategies I believe are necessary to win Diddy’s high-profile case, which is schedule for trial in May.
Losing is not an acceptable option in Diddy’s case. Based upon my past trial experience and 217-8 win-loss record in complex criminal cases that were tried to a verdict, I do not see the kind of defensive motion filings on the Docket Sheet that will position Diddy to win his case.
I don't know for sure, but Attorney Anthony Ricco may see it the same way.
Meanwhile, Diddy has been held without bond since September 2024. He has been refused bail in this case on multiple occasions.
Presently, Diddy is jailed in the nasty, filthy, dilapidated Manhattan Detention Center in New York while he awaits trial.
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