A federal judge has denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to delay his upcoming sex trafficking trial, locking in the May 5 start date despite new allegations of kidnapping, forced labor, and a mounting stack of federal charges.
At a Glance
- Judge refuses to delay trial; jury selection begins May 5
- Combs faces charges including sex trafficking, kidnapping, and racketeering
- Defense says over 200,000 new documents hinder prep
- Diddy held without bail; team includes top defense lawyer Brian Steel
- Court will allow docuseries footage as evidence
Trial Date Set Despite Defense Objections
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian rejected Combs’ plea to delay the trial, stating it was unclear “why there isn’t sufficient time to prepare.” The judge sided with the prosecution, which argued that any delays were due to defense-side discovery requests, not the court’s schedule. As reported by Reuters, jury selection will begin May 5, with opening arguments expected by May 12.
The ruling comes as Combs faces escalating federal charges, including new allegations of forced labor. If convicted, some charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. According to Fox News, prosecutors claim Combs used his business empire to commit serial abuse under the guise of industry success.
High-Profile Legal Team Assembled
Diddy’s defense team has enlisted Brian Steel—best known for representing rapper Young Thug in a Georgia RICO case. He joins lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos to take on what many view as a high-stakes battle for the disgraced mogul’s legacy. Combs remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, having been denied bail three times.
As detailed by Deadline, the court has repeatedly rejected Diddy’s bids for release, citing the severity of the allegations and risk of witness tampering.
Watch CNN’s report at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Trial Date Set Amidst New Allegations.
Controversial Evidence and Defense Challenges
One major twist in the case is the court’s decision to allow footage from Warner Bros. Discovery’s docuseries to be introduced as evidence. Despite objections from the media company, the judge ruled the footage—showing alleged victim interviews and behind-the-scenes surveillance—was admissible. According to CBC News, this marks a rare intersection of entertainment and evidentiary law.
Prosecutors have described Combs’ alleged abuse as spanning “more than a decade,” involving what they called “freak-offs”—multi-day, exploitative sex events. They allege Combs coerced victims using threats, financial control, physical violence, and manipulation of their housing, healthcare, and careers.
Meanwhile, the defense has argued that the government is applying “racist” laws and insists the encounters were consensual. They also filed motions to exclude sexually explicit video evidence and to pre-screen jurors for sensitivity to graphic content. As noted by Business Insider, they hope to limit jury bias.
What’s at Stake
The May 5 trial start date places Combs at the center of one of the biggest celebrity criminal cases in recent memory. With explosive charges, high-profile attorneys, and unprecedented media scrutiny, the trial could define not just Combs’ future—but how the legal system handles power, privilege, and consent in entertainment.
The world will be watching as the court prepares to hear opening arguments, and the prosecution unveils what it says is years of orchestrated exploitation hiding behind a hip-hop empire.
