JUDGE DENIES DIDDY'S REQUEST TO DELAY TRIAL

Read Time:1 Minute, 42 Second

‎

‎The federal judge overseeing the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on sex trafficking and related charges has rejected his request for a two-month trial delay, stating he has had sufficient time to prepare.

‎

‎On Monday, Combs pleaded not guilty to two additional charges recently filed in the criminal racketeering and sex trafficking case—one for sex trafficking and another for transporting individuals for prostitution.

‎

‎Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that the high-profile trial, set to begin on May 5, will proceed as scheduled. The proceedings are expected to last between eight and ten weeks.

‎

‎Combs, 55, has denied all allegations, maintaining that any sexual encounters were consensual. He nodded affirmatively in court on Friday as the judge emphasized the principle of being presumed innocent until proven guilty.

‎

‎“It’s unclear why… There isn’t sufficient time, especially given the now four (law) firms Mr. Combs now has representing him,” the judge said at a pretrial hearing in a Manhattan skyscraper courthouse.

‎

‎Combs’s lead lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, had said an extension was required to examine new evidence.

‎

‎“The new conduct (alleged) is not new,” the judge said in response.

‎

‎On Friday, Combs wore drab prison scrubs, his hair and beard flecked with grey as he rocked from side to side, turning around at one point to blow a kiss to his mother, Janice.

‎

‎Also in court was attorney Brian Steele, fresh from securing a successful plea deal for artist Young Thug, who had faced decades in jail.

‎

‎Steele did not speak.

‎

‎Public allegations have been building against Grammy winner Combs since late 2023, when singer/actor Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged he had subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs, as well as a 2018 rape.

‎

‎Along with the federal criminal case, Combs faces a mountain of civil suits that allege harrowing abuse by the artist with assistance from a loyal network of employees and associates.

‎

‎The rap superstar, incarcerated since September, has started to look noticeably aged.