Sean “Diddy” Combs to Appear Before Judge in Sex Trafficking Trial Hearing
Sean “Diddy” Combs is gearing up for his first appearance before the judge who will preside over his upcoming trial on sex trafficking charges. The hip-hop mogul will be brought from a Brooklyn jail to Manhattan federal court for a Thursday afternoon hearing before Judge Arun Subramanian.
During the hearing, deadlines are expected to be set for both the prosecution and defense to submit arguments that will shape the parameters of the trial. Combs’ legal team is pushing for a trial to begin in April or May, while prosecutors have not yet indicated a preference for timing.
The case was reassigned to Judge Subramanian after another judge recused himself due to past associations with lawyers involved in the case. Combs, 54, has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking dating back to 2008.
The indictment alleges that Combs used a network of associates and employees to coerce and abuse women over the years, silencing victims through blackmail and violent acts such as kidnapping, arson, and physical beatings. Despite multiple attempts by his lawyers to secure bail, two judges have deemed Combs a danger to the community and a flight risk.
In an appeal to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Combs’ legal team argued that a proposed $50 million bail package, including home detention and electronic monitoring, would prevent him from posing any danger or contacting witnesses. They criticized the lower-court judge for endorsing the government’s claims and ordering Combs’ detention, urging the appeals court to overturn the decision. The high-profile case continues to unfold as Combs prepares to face the legal battle ahead.