Sean “Diddy” Combs confirmed at a listening to Thursday that he had rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors in his intercourse trafficking case, paving the way in which for his trial to start subsequent week.
“Have you rejected the government’s offer?” U.S. District Choose Arun Subramanian, who’s overseeing his trial in New York, requested him.
“Yes, your honor,” Combs replied.
Combs, carrying olive-colored clothes over a white thermal shirt, carried a black binder with notebooks in it as he entered the courtroom and waved to supporters within the gallery earlier than he hugged and shook arms together with his attorneys.
He has pleaded not responsible to expenses of intercourse trafficking, racketeering and transportation to interact in prostitution.
Protection legal professional Marc Agnifilo mentioned that Combs’ authorized group mentioned the supply with him and that collectively they determined to reject it. Assistant U.S. Lawyer Maurene Comey mentioned the proposal would have given Combs a lighter sentence than he would obtain if he’s discovered responsible at trial on all expenses.
he federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is scheduled to start out Might 5, a decide in New York declared on Thursday.
The listening to was the final earlier than the trial begins with jury choice Monday. Subramanian mentioned voir dire, or the questioning of potential jurors, could be carried out in a strategy to shield jurors’ privateness, together with potential disclosures about experiences with sexual or home abuse.
Subramanian mentioned he needed to seat a jury of 12 and 6 alternates in three days.
The courtroom will name 50 jurors every day to the Twenty sixth-floor courtroom in Manhattan. Every juror will both be excused for trigger or requested to return to the principle courtroom for additional questioning.
The objective is to slender the group to 45 folks, who will every be interviewed individually with two attorneys from either side current. The courtroom had requested 600 potential jurors.
If potential jurors wish to communicate privately, they’ll go into Subramanian’s chambers, the place the media will likely be excluded, he mentioned. The transcript for these components could be sealed.
Agnifilo had expressed concern that the media’s presence would forestall potential jurors from talking candidly.
Given the quantity of consideration the case has acquired, significantly in latest days, Agnifilo requested the courtroom so as to add a query to the juror survey, concerning a questionnaire already despatched to potential jurors: “Have you read anything since completing the questionnaire?” Subramanian agreed to take action.
Comey mentioned she understood the protection group had added two new attorneys and mentioned prosecutors wish to know who they’re. Agnifilo mentioned that the brand new attorneys had been within the courtroom, and that they’d file their appearances by the top of the day. One among them is Xavier Donaldson, who has been current for a number of earlier hearings.
A prosecutor mentioned at a listening to final week that Combs had been provided a plea deal, the main points of which haven’t been made public.
Subramanian requested all events to be in his courtroom at 8 a.m. Monday and reminded them to keep away from making public statements that might prejudice the trial’s consequence.
The reminder got here in response to a courtroom submitting this week, during which Combs’ attorneys requested Subramanian to bar attorneys for witnesses, together with Douglas Wigdor and Lisa Bloom, who symbolize individuals who have filed separate civil fits towards Combs, from talking publicly in regards to the trial till its conclusion.
Combs legal professional Teny Geragos mentioned at Thursday’s listening to that Bloom had appeared on the BBC to attempt to bolster her shopper’s credibility. Bloom informed the BBC that Richard was “absolutely terrified” of Combs.
“It is deeply disturbing to us and could violate the rules of judicial conduct,” Geragos mentioned.
Bloom represents a John Doe and Daybreak Richard, who was a member of two now-defunct teams fashioned by Combs, Danity Kane and a second one referred to as Diddy — Soiled Cash.
“How hypocritical that Mr. Combs and his attorneys, having made public statements many times, now want to silence me,” Bloom mentioned Thursday. “Accusers and their attorneys have each proper to talk out. I’m very proud to symbolize my courageous purchasers, Daybreak Richard and John Doe, in litigation towards Mr. Combs.
“I stay up for attending Mr. Combs’ upcoming legal trial in New York and persevering with to advocate for my purchasers in line with the regulation and the moral guidelines.”
Richard alleged in a go well with filed final yr, every week earlier than Combs was arrested, that he had groped and threatened her and that she had witnessed him assaulting his former longtime girlfriend Cassie, whose full title is Casandra Ventura. Richards’ go well with is pending, together with dozens of others filed by women and men accusing Combs of sexual misconduct, which Combs has vehemently denied.
Wigdor represents Ventura, whose bombshell lawsuit filed in November 2023 preceded the federal raids of his house in March 2024 and legal expenses. Ventura accused Combs of years of bodily and emotional abuse and and alleged that he compelled her to have intercourse with male intercourse staff — encounters she mentioned he referred to as “freak offs” that had been fueled by medicine and alcohol — whereas he masturbated and recorded them. Freak offs are on the middle of the federal government’s case.
Ventura and Combs settled the lawsuit inside a day with out disclosing the phrases and with Combs denying any wrongdoing.
Wigdor pledged to combat Combs’ efforts to forestall him from talking publicly in regards to the case.
“We will vigorously oppose the motion seeking an extraordinary sweeping gag order as it is an obvious attempt at controlling and silencing victims and their counsel in contravention of well-established legal and ethical precedent,” he mentioned in an announcement. “Given this, it should come as no surprise that Combs fails to cite even one case to support his request.”
Combs is alleged in his the five-count indictment to have coerced and threatened ladies to take part in sexual acts and silenced them by means of blackmail and violence. Prosecutors allege he had assist from a community of associates and workers.
