Attorney Tyrone Blackburn, representing Rodney “Lil Rod” Smith, has stirred speculation by suggesting that Diddy will soon face indictment. Speaking to Page Six regarding his client’s prior conviction for reckless homicide in 2003 and subsequent legal entanglements, Blackburn emphasized Smith’s lack of adequate legal representation at the time. Smith, currently pursuing a $30 million lawsuit against Diddy for alleged sexual assault during his involvement with Diddy’s project “The Love Album: Off The Grid” from September 2022 to November 2023, has thrust the spotlight onto the music mogul’s legal woes.

Blackburn cautioned against conflating charges with convictions, asserting that the portrayal of Smith’s past encounters with the law undermines journalistic integrity. He recounted Smith’s 2003 incident, wherein, as a frightened 17-year-old, he fled from a police stop, resulting in a tragic accident that claimed the life of his cousin and best friend. Blackburn emphasized the lasting burden of guilt Smith carries, underscoring the context of systemic issues faced by young Black individuals in encounters with law enforcement.

BLACKBURN’S STATEMENT

“I am sure you know that a charge is not a conviction,” Blackburn, who has faced scrutiny over his litigation tactics in the past, told the media outfit. “So, running this story on behalf of [Diddy’s camp] is problematic and calls into question your integrity as a journalist. Mr. Jones’ July 2003 reckless homicide occurred when he was 17 years old. He was driving a vehicle with his cousin in the passenger seat. The police pulled him over, but he was afraid and drove off. It was pretty typical behavior for a young black boy in Chicago when pulled over by the police. As a result, he totaled the vehicle, and his cousin, who was his best friend, died.”

Blackburn continued: “He has to live with the guilt of the death of his best friend and family member for the rest of his life. But don’t let that stop you from running this story and getting your clicks. [Diddy’s] legal team can do nothing to distract from the fact that he will be indicted soon.”

Addressing the looming possibility of indictment, Blackburn asserted that legal maneuvers from Diddy’s camp cannot obscure the impending legal reckoning. Diddy has steadfastly refuted allegations against him, with his attorney Shawn Holley branding Smith as a fabricator seeking financial gain. Blackburn’s remarks follow recent Homeland Security raids on Diddy’s properties in Los Angeles and Miami, though no charges have yet been filed in connection with the incident.