Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in court on Friday to formally plead not guilty to the latest charges in his ongoing legal case, which include expanded accusations of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Get this: The new indictment has widened the scope of the alleged offenses, adding two more victims and extending the timeline of the alleged activities.
At the court hearing, prosecutors outlined their case, accusing the music mogul of using threats of physical harm and damage to reputation to coerce employees into working long hours. Additionally, they claim that Combs forced an employee into a sexual encounter with him. Diddy’s legal team, however, strongly contested these allegations, asserting that they were unfounded.
When it came to the fit, the courtroom saw Diddy, wearing an unflattering tan jumpsuit, accompanied by his family—his mother and four children—showing visible support. As the hearing concluded, he gestured affectionately toward them, blowing a two-handed kiss in their direction.
During the new proceedings, legal teams for both sides worked to establish the framework for the upcoming trial, with Judge Arun Subramanian setting the stage for a May 5 start. Part of the hearing focused on scheduling potential juror questionnaires, which will be distributed on April 28. Discussions also centered on the evidence that will be presented in court, including a controversial video that allegedly shows Diddy assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
ICYMI, and we hope you did, because it’s horrible, the footage, which was initially obtained by CNN and shared publicly, was deemed crucial by the prosecution. They argue that it provides strong evidence to support their case. However, Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, claimed the video had been tampered with. “From the defense standpoint, it’s a misleading piece of evidence, a deceptive piece of evidence, a piece of evidence that has been changed,” Agnifilo said.
In response, CNN denied the allegations, stating that the video was not altered. “CNN never altered the video and did not destroy the original copy of the footage, which was retained by the source,” a CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “CNN aired the story about the video several months before Combs was arrested.”
Meanwhile, the trial is scheduled to last around eight weeks, with the prosecution estimating that it will take up to six weeks to present its case. The defense team, on the other hand, believes it will take only two weeks to present its side. In addition, there have been disputes over the handling of evidence, with the prosecution claiming that the defense has not provided any evidence despite numerous discovery requests.
Authorities also outlined the extensive evidence they have seized, including 96 electronic devices from Combs’ properties, in addition to his phone and a hotel room search following his arrest in September. As the trial looms, Diddy remains in detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been since his September arrest.
And onward, we march towards the trial of the century.