Judge denies Diddy’s defense motion, keeping trial on track

A judge in New York has rejected a request from Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers to push back his upcoming sex trafficking trial, meaning the case will still start as planned in May. The defense team had asked for a two-month delay, saying that prosecutors were too slow in handing over evidence, which made it hard for them to prepare properly.

This request came after new charges were added in an updated indictment filed in early April. However, Judge Arun Subramanian turned down the argument, pointing out that Diddy has a large legal team with four different law firms working for him. The judge did not find the defense’s claim convincing that they did not have enough time to get ready, given how many lawyers represented the hip-hop star.

Diddy is facing five serious federal charges: two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transporting someone for prostitution, and one count of racketeering. As reported by CNN and Reuters, prosecutors claim that Combs used his powerful business network to sexually abuse women between 2004 and 2024. His lawyers argue that any sexual activity was consensual.

Diddy won’t get a delay in his court testimony

The trial will include testimony from several alleged victims, most of whom will stay anonymous for their safety. One exception is singer Cassie Ventura, who used to be in a relationship with Diddy. The judge ruled that two other victims, called “Victim 3” and “Victim 4,” will testify using fake names, while “Victim 2” will only be identified by that number. Their statements will be a key part of the prosecution’s case.

One major piece of disputed evidence is a surveillance video that supposedly shows Diddy attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway. His legal team claims the video was edited, altered, or sped up by CNN, the news network that first released the footage. They also say the original video no longer exists, which they argue makes it unreliable and should keep it from being used as evidence. CNN denies these claims.

Related: Diddy just won’t leave Cassie Ventura alone with subpoena over book & bank statements

Whether the video will be allowed in court is still a big question and will likely be a major topic in hearings before the trial. The incident seen in the video led to a lawsuit filed by Ventura against Diddy, which was settled quickly after it was filed.

Aside from the criminal case, Diddy is involved in multiple civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct. These lawsuits add even more complications to his legal troubles. While these cases are separate from the criminal trial, the number of accusations and the details in them likely increase the pressure on his defense team and highlight how serious the claims against him are. The growing legal challenges and the severity of the charges mean that if Diddy is convicted, he could face life in prison.

The judge’s decision to deny the request to delay the trial has a big impact on the schedule. The trial is set to start on May 5, with jury selection beginning that day and opening statements scheduled for May 12. Keeping the case on this fast track could put a lot of pressure on Diddy’s legal team to prepare their defense in a short amount of time.