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

Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of the most successful rappers and music moguls in the US, will soon go on trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

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

In addition to the criminal case, Mr. Combs is being sued by dozens of people who have accused him of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.

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

Here’s a look at his legal troubles.

When will Diddy’s trial take place?

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian set the trial for next May, which will take place in Manhattan.

On Thursday, the rapper appeared for the third time since his arrest.

Prosecutor Emily Johnson told the judge the government will need three weeks to present its case.

Lawyer Marc Agnifilo said the rapper’s team needs a week for theirs.

Mr. Combs wore a rumpled beige prison uniform as his family — including his three daughters, three sons and his mother — and friends occupied two of the public benches in the courtroom.

He was seen telling his family, “I love you,” repeatedly placing his hand over his heart and then making a prayer sign.

As the hearing ended, some of the rapper’s supporters stood on tiptoe at the door to watch him as he was led away.

What is Diddy accused of?

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

In the federal criminal case, Mr. Combs is accused of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activity, sometimes by using a firearm or threatening them with violence.

In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies they say were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil.

In addition, Mr. Combs is facing a number of lawsuits accusing him of rape and sexual assault.

Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney handling some of these cases, has said that more than 100 women and men from across the U.S. have filed or will soon file lawsuits against the rap mogul.

Some have claimed the attacks happened when they were minors, including when they were as young as nine years old, Buzbee said.

Mr. Combs’ current legal troubles began when he was sued in late 2023 by his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, also known as Cassie. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her.

That lawsuit was settled a day after it was filed for an undisclosed amount, with Mr. Combs maintaining his innocence.

In the following weeks, several women filed lawsuits accusing Mr. Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. One claimed she was “sex trafficked” and “gang raped” by the rapper and two others when she was 17 .

Mr. Combs responded to the deluge of lawsuits in a statement on his Instagram page in December, writing, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”

“I have not done any of the terrible things that are being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth,” he said.

Nine months later he was arrested and brought to trial.

Where is Diddy now?

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

His lawyers have argued for his release pending trial, citing “horrific” conditions in the prison.

A federal judge in New York denied their request for bail, arguing that Mr. Combs posed a “serious flight risk.”

What’s the next step in Diddy’s criminal case?

His attorneys petitioned the court Wednesday to throw out a 2016 video showing Combs kicking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura as she lay on the floor of a hotel hallway.

They argued that the government was responsible for leaking the video to CNN, and that this “has resulted in damaging, highly prejudicial pre-trial publicity that cannot but taint the jury pool and Mr. Combs’ right to a fair trial can take away.”

Government lawyers deny the video was leaked to the media and say the government had no possession of it before it was broadcast in May.

When the video first surfaced, Mr. Combs posted an apology, saying, “I was disgusted when I did it.”

His lawyers are still fighting to get the rapper released on bail. On Tuesday, they filed an appeal, arguing that Mr. Combs had agreed to “restrictive conditions” for a possible release from prison that would prevent him from fleeing.

“Mr. Combs is presumed innocent. He traveled to New York to surrender because he knew he would be charged,” his lawyers said in a court filing.

“He took extraordinary steps to demonstrate that he intended to face and fight the charges, not flee.”

The lawyers have also argued that all those involved in the so-called “freak offs” were consenting adults.

If he were guilty, could Diddy get jail time?

Yes.

Mr. Combs faces up to life in prison if convicted of racketeering. He still faces a statutory minimum of 15 years on the sex trafficking charge.

Will Diddy’s trial be public?

All federal cases in the US are open to the public, except in rare circumstances where trials involve sensitive information related to national security.

To date, all of Mr. Combs’ legal proceedings have been open to the media and the public.

However, none of his performances have been live streamed. Most federal courts do not allow cameras or electronics in the courtroom.

Sketch artists will typically attend these hearings to highlight moments from the court for the media and public.

Could Diddy face more charges?

It is unclear whether Combs will face any further criminal charges.

However, prosecutors have said the investigation remains “active and ongoing” and have encouraged potential victims to contact authorities.

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