NEW YORK (AP) — The intercourse trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs will proceed as scheduled in early Might regardless of his lawyer’s claims that they want an additional two months to arrange, a choose stated Friday.
Choose Arun Subramanian stated at a Manhattan federal court docket listening to that the hip-hop mogul’s trial, projected to final from eight to 10 weeks, will begin Might 5.
Legal professionals for the entertainer had requested a two-month delay, citing a necessity for extra time to assemble details about trial witnesses and to deal with late additions to the indictment towards their consumer.
However the choose, noting that Combs has at the least 4 attorneys, stated the protection has enough time to be prepared for trial subsequent month. He stated he wouldn’t grant a delay and permit a “fishing expedition” to hunt extra proof.
Combs, 55, who has been held with out bail since his September arrest, turned towards the courtroom’s spectators after the listening to so he might face his mom. He gave a thumbs-up towards her and two different supporters, together with a person who wore a “Free Puff” sweatshirt. He has pleaded not responsible.
Throughout Friday’s listening to, Subramanian made rulings about proof and the way the trial will proceed.
Amongst his rulings, he stated accusers who’re referred to as as witnesses by the federal government can testify beneath pseudonyms to guard their identities.
He additionally refused a protection request to toss out a number of prices within the indictment returned towards Combs.
Prosecutors say Combs coerced and abused ladies for 20 years, utilizing his “power and prestige” as a music star to silence victims via blackmail and violence, together with kidnapping, arson and bodily beatings.
They are saying the Dangerous Boy Data founder induced feminine victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male intercourse employees in occasions dubbed “Freak Offs.”
Protection attorneys have stated the federal government is mischaracterizing the connection Combs had with former long-term girlfriends to criminalize consensual sexual conduct.
