Sean “Diddy” Combs made another appearance in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, December 18, where Judge Arun Subramanian urged the rap mogul’s defense team to maintain transparency and avoid any unexpected developments as his trial date approaches.
Dressed in a khaki prison jumpsuit, Combs attended the status conference where Subramanian emphasized the need for clear updates in the case’s motion schedule by January 3, 2025. This directive aims to ensure a smooth lead-up to the trial, which is set to begin in May 2025. Combs will return to court on March 17 for further proceedings.
This appearance follows Combs’ previous court session on November 22, when Subramanian denied his bail request, citing potential risks of witness tampering. Despite initially appealing the bail decision, Combs has since withdrawn the appeal and will remain behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn through the holiday season.
The Charges Against Combs
Combs was arrested in September and is facing multiple charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The indictment alleges that Combs orchestrated events dubbed “freak offs,” where male sex workers and women were allegedly coerced or forced into participating in explicit acts.
Legal Developments
During his latest court appearance, Combs was not shackled, a change granted by the court following arguments from his attorneys that restraints could create potential bias among jurors.
Earlier this week, Judge Subramanian also denied an evidentiary hearing into defense claims that prosecutors leaked surveillance footage of an alleged assault involving singer Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
Subramanian ruled that there was no concrete evidence to support the claim that the government leaked the video to the press. In his written decision, he stated:
“Combs argues that ‘the most likely source of the leak is the government,’ but he doesn’t point to any sound basis for this conclusion.”
Preparing for Trial
As Combs prepares for his upcoming trial, Subramanian approved a request for him to access a laptop while in jail. The laptop will allow him to review discovery materials to aid in his defense, though its functionality will be strictly limited to legal preparations.
The high-profile case has drawn significant public attention, with details of the indictment and ongoing developments keeping fans and legal observers captivated.
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