NEW YORK (WQHT) — The Sean “Diddy” Combs trial is slated to begin on May 5, 2025, in Manhattan federal court. The 55-year-old has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after being denied bail multiple times. On Friday, after Combs rejected a plea offer his attorney defended the ‘swinger’ lifestyle, according to Reuters, possibly giving us a first look at the defense strategy.
- Trial Schedule: Jury selection is slated to begin on May 5, with opening statements expected on May 12. The trial is anticipated to last between 8 to 10 weeks .
- Defense Strategy: Combs’ legal team, led by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Brian Steel, plans to argue that his involvement in so-called “Freak Off” parties was part of a consensual “swingers” lifestyle, asserting that no criminal conduct occurred.
- Admissible Evidence: A federal judge has ruled that a 2016 surveillance video showing Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway is admissible in court, according to ABC News. The defense’s claim that the footage was manipulated was rejected by the court.
- Prosecution’s Position: Prosecutors allege that Combs orchestrated a network to coerce women into drug-fueled sexual encounters over two decades, using threats and financial leverage. They intend to present multiple witnesses, including alleged victims and a “propensity witness,” to establish a pattern of behavior.
Combs was arrested in September 2024 following a grand jury indictment. His legal troubles have led to a significant decline in his estimated net worth, dropping from over $1 billion in 2022 to approximately $400 million according to a Reuters.
The trial’s outcome could have profound implications for Combs’ legacy and the broader music industry, as it addresses serious allegations of abuse and misconduct spanning decades.
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