18th July 2025
The last show before the summer recess aired this morning with Michaela Clarke sitting in for Greg Hughes when the big hip-hop case from the USA was discussed at the opening with our contributor Seamus Gunn. He took the view that there was a stark contrast between the Defence team after the verdict was announced and subsequently when the accused Sean (“Diddy”) Combs was refused bail having been convicted of 2 prostitution counts but acquitted on the more serious 3 counts of racketeering, conspiracy and sex trafficking. On enquiring as to the rationale for declining bail for the Defendant, Seamus Gunn was of the opinion that this was as a result of the allegation by the prosecution that he was still a danger and would be at large giving that it was claimed that he had assaulted one of the victims going under the pseudo name of Jane in June 2024, while this investigation was ongoing. His demeanour was referenced by the host, putting forward the view that with the grey hair he was not a person that would be giving to the type of activity of which he was accused, trying to portray him as someone who was aged and not of violent tendencies. Seamus Gunn was of the other view that while it was all optics, that it was the evidence that was before the court that resulted in the convictions of the 2 counts of prostitution but that the Defence of consensual participation by those involved stood up to some degree in the conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. He thought it likely that an appeal would follow and he also referenced a significant number, upwards of 50 civil actions that were in the pipeline. On the sentence our contributor was of the view that 3-5 years may apply while the prosecution would likely be looking for 10 years. He thought that there would be a renewed application for bail as soon as the sentence had been handed down and an appeal lodged. This case would seem to be far from over and is likely to be back in the public domain in the coming months.
A very topical and varied Q&A followed, all of which can be listened to below: