Diddy’s Sex Trafficking Trial Date Set For May 2025
An official start date for Diddy’s sex trafficking trial was confirmed during a hearing that also introduced new guidelines for handling evidence in the case.
On Thursday (October 10), Judge Arun Subramanian of the Manhattan federal court scheduled the trial to begin on May 5, 2025. According to the Associated Press, Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, and his children attended the hearing, which marked the Bad Boy founder’s first appearance before Judge Subramanian, who will oversee the proceedings.
During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson responded to the defense’s request to exclude footage of Combs’ 2016 assault on ex-girlfriend Cassie from the trial, claiming the U.S. Department of Homeland Security leaked the video to the press.
Diddy’s lawyers argued that the leaks, along with other disclosures by the government, “have led to damaging, highly prejudicial pretrial publicity that can only taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”
In response, Johnson accused the defense of trying “to exclude a damning piece of evidence” through “baseless” accusations.
Although Judge Subramanian did not make a ruling on the video’s admissibility, he directed Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, to draft an order instructing “lawyers on both sides to comply with rules prohibiting them from publicly disclosing information that could taint a jury,” which the judge agreed to sign.
Prosecutors also hinted that Diddy’s legal troubles may deepen, as they are considering a “superseding” indictment during their ongoing investigation. A superseding indictment could introduce additional charges, new defendants, or both, potentially delaying the trial.
On Wednesday (October 9), Diddy’s lawyers filed a motion seeking an evidentiary hearing to investigate what they describe as “strategic” and “unlawful” leaks of evidence by the government to the media, along with “false and prejudicial statements” made by federal agents.
The motion contained several bold accusations from Diddy’s legal team, including claims that the Department of Homeland Security orchestrated the leaks after conducting raids on his properties earlier this year.
Recently, PEOPLE reported that Diddy’s lawyers highlighted his struggle to adjust to prison life, particularly with the food. According to the outlet, lunch is served at 11:00 a.m. on weekdays, followed by dinner after the 4 p.m. headcount. Typical lunch items include hamburgers, baked fish, or beef tacos, while weekends feature scrambled eggs and biscuits.
Dinner options range from chicken fajitas and pasta to roast beef. The prison also offers “heart healthy” meals and vegetarian choices like lentils, tofu, and baked beans.
