Diddy To Stand Trial In May 2025 On Racketeering And Sex Trafficking Charges

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Music mogul and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to face trial in May 2025 on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. A federal judge in New York scheduled the trial for May 5, 2025, during a hearing held on Thursday.

Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, appeared in court wearing a tan button-down shirt and khaki pants, his ankles shackled. He smiled and waved to his family seated in the second row as he was led into the courtroom by a U.S. Marshal.

Prosecutor Emily Johnson stated the prosecution's case could take up to three weeks but mentioned that a superseding indictment might extend the trial, as new charges or defendants could be added. Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, estimated the defense would need about a week to present its case.

Judge Arun Subramanian, who presided over the hearing, issued an order preventing both sides from making public statements about secret grand jury materials and other non-public evidence. He requested that Combs' lawyers draft the proposal for this order.

This decision followed a motion filed by Combs' legal team accusing the government of leaking a 2016 video to CNN, showing Combs allegedly dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The motion did not provide evidence for this accusation. Hours later, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams responded, stating that the government did not possess the video before CNN's report, disputing the claim made by Combs' lawyers. CNN declined to comment.

The surveillance footage, made public by CNN in May 2023, played a significant role in the November 2023 lawsuit filed by Ventura, in which she accused Combs of abuse. Initially, Combs denied the allegations but later issued an apology after the video surfaced. 

Combs' defense team is pushing to exclude the video from the trial, calling it prejudicial. Prosecutor Johnson referred to the motion as a tactic to remove critical evidence. The judge is expected to make a decision after reviewing both sides' legal arguments.

This hearing marks Combs' third court appearance since his arrest, and his first before Judge Subramanian, who was appointed to the case after Judge Andrew Carter recused himself. Combs' attorneys are eager for a swift trial, as their client has been denied bail twice and remains in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Combs’ next court date is set for December 18, 2024.

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