NEW YORK– Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was arrested on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy, has been assigned a May 2025 trial date by a New York judge.
According to the indictment, Combs allegedly abused women over several years, with the help of associates and employees who remained silent or allegedly assisted in covering up the abuse. Victims were reportedly blackmailed or silenced through violence.
At the court appearance on Thursday, the 54-year-old Combs was seen in a wrinkled tan shirt and matching pants, appearing upbeat as he smiled and waved to his mother and children in the gallery. Having pleaded not guilty and denied bail twice, Combs interacted with his legal team, nodding in agreement as his lead attorney spoke during the proceedings.
“He’s making an adjustment,” said Anthony Ricco, a member of Combs’ defense team. “We really want to put an end to all of the clowning that we see on the internet. This is a serious proceeding with serious consequences.”
The newly assigned judge, who replaced a previous judge who recused himself, set the trial date for May 5, 2025. Prosecutors have until December 31 to provide discovery, revealing in court that they seized over 96 electronic devices during searches at an airport, as well as Combs’ residences in Miami and Los Angeles.
Defense Argues Government Leaked 2016 Hotel Assault Video
Combs’ attorneys have filed a motion requesting an evidentiary hearing, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security leaked material, including a 2016 hotel surveillance video in which Combs is seen assaulting his former girlfriend, singer Cassie. The video was aired on CNN.
The defense argues that the video should be excluded from evidence, claiming that the leaks compromised Combs’ ability to receive fair consideration from the grand jury and influenced the jury pool. In response, the prosecution team, composed entirely of women, asserted that there were no leaks from their side, calling the defense’s motion “baseless” and a tactic to exclude “a damning piece of evidence.”
Prosecutors also took issue with comments made by Combs’ lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, who accused the government of racially motivated prosecution, referring to it as a “takedown of a successful Black man.” The judge mentioned the possibility of a reciprocal gag order in response to these public statements.
Outside the courthouse, Agnifilo commented, “I’m not going to say anything that I haven’t said in court and that I haven’t said in my court papers.”
Prosecutors indicated that they might file a superseding indictment.