When is Diddy’s trial? What you need to know about his legal troubles

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, America’s most successful rapper and music mogul, will soon stand trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

At a hearing attended by Combs on Thursday, the judge ruled that his trial will begin on May 5 next year.

Wearing a wrinkled beige prison uniform, Combs stood by his lawyer as the judge debated the imposition of a gag order that would prohibit lawyers and prosecutors from discussing the case in public or in the media. I was sitting next to him.

Combs’ family members lined up in the courtroom. “I love you,” the rapper said to the group, which included his three daughters, three sons and his mother. He also placed his hands on his heart many times as a sign for prayer.

In addition to the criminal case, Combs has been accused by dozens of people of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.

Combs has pleaded not guilty in the criminal trial, and the rapper’s lawyers have repeatedly maintained his innocence and called the charges against him “false and defamatory.”

Here’s a breakdown of his legal troubles:

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian decided that the trial would be held in Manhattan next May.

Thursday was the rapper’s third court appearance since his arrest.

Prosecutor Emily Johnson told the judge the government would have three weeks to file its case.

Defense attorney Mark Agnifilo said the rapper’s team needs one week.

After the hearing ended, some of Combs’ supporters lingered at the door, tiptoeing to catch a glimpse of him being escorted away.

The rapper will face criminal charges in federal court. He also faces multiple lawsuits from individuals accusing him of harming and exploiting them.

In the federal criminal case, Combs is accused of kidnapping women, drugging them and coercing them into sexual acts, sometimes using firearms or threatening violence.

During a search of his Los Angeles mansion, police found drugs, more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and other materials intended for use in the orgy known as the “Freak Off.”

Separately, Combs faces numerous lawsuits accusing him of rape and assault.

Tony Buzbee, a Texas lawyer who is handling some of these lawsuits, said more than 100 men and women from across the country have filed or plan to file lawsuits against the rap mogul soon.

Buzbee said some claimed the assaults occurred when they were minors, including when they were 9 years old.

Mr Combs’ current legal troubles began in late 2023 when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura (also known as Kathy). She accused Combs of violent abuse and rape.

The lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed for an undisclosed amount, with Combs pleading not guilty.

The following week, multiple women filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of sexual assault, with allegations dating back to 1991. One of them claimed to have been “sex trafficked” and “gang raped” by Mr. Combs and two others when he was 17 years old.

Combs released a statement on his Instagram page in December, writing that “enough is enough” in response to the spate of lawsuits.

“I have not done anything as terrible as is being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and the truth,” he said.

Nine months later, he was arrested and charged.

Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York since his arrest on September 16th.

His lawyers are arguing for his release pending trial, citing “horrific” prison conditions.

A New York federal judge denied Combs’ bail request, saying he posed a “significant flight risk.”

Combs’ lawyers on Wednesday petitioned the court to throw out a 2016 video showing Combs kicking his ex-girlfriend, Kathy Ventura, as she lay on the floor in a hotel hallway.

They blamed the government for leaking the video to CNN, saying it amounted to “harmful and highly prejudicial pretrial publicity that only tainted the jury pool and deprived Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.” “We’re connected,” he claimed.

Government lawyers denied leaking the video to the media, saying the government did not have possession of the video until it was broadcast in May.

When the video was first published, Combs posted an apology, saying he was “disgusted when he did it.”

His lawyer is still fighting to get the rapper released on bail. On Tuesday, they filed an appeal, arguing Combs had agreed to “restrictive conditions” on his possible release from prison that would prevent him from escaping.

“Mr. Combs is presumed innocent. He knew he would be indicted and traveled to New York to turn himself in,” his attorney said in a court filing.

“He took the unusual step of demonstrating that he intended to face and fight the charges rather than flee.”

Lawyers also argued that everyone involved in the so-called “freak-off” had consenting adults.

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Combs could face life in prison if convicted of racketeering charges. He faces an additional statutory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for sex trafficking charges.

All federal cases in the United States are open to the public, except in rare circumstances when trials involve sensitive national security information.

So far, all of Combs’ court proceedings have been open to the media and public.

However, none of his appearances were livestreamed. Most federal courts do not allow cameras or electronic devices in the courtroom.

Sketch artists typically attend these hearings to depict courtroom moments for the media and public.

It is unclear whether Combs will face further criminal charges.

But prosecutors say the investigation remains “active and ongoing” and encourage potential victims to contact authorities.

BBC correspondent Emma Vardy contributed to this story.