Sean “Diddy” Combs will not face specific claims at his upcoming criminal trial. According to PEOPLE magazine, the 55-year-old will not be subjected to forced labor allegations, per Judge Arun Subramanian. The judge did, however, rule that the prosecution would be allowed to introduce new sex-trafficking evidence related to the freak-offs.
The decision was made as Combs’ lawyers spoke out against prosecutors and accused them of adding “new theories” and “new evidence.”
“It is impossible for the defense to investigate and respond to those new allegations in the next two weeks,” Combs’ lawyers asserted. “They further alleged that prosecutors have ‘explicitly conceded’ that ‘many’ of the alleged acts ‘were consensual,’ causing the defense to spend its time focusing on the alleged coerced incidents.”
The prosecutors responded, “The defendant’s request is yet another pretextual attempt to exclude powerful evidence against him without a proper legal basis.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City.
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Earlier this month, the Harlem native was subjected to two new charges, one more count each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution related to a second victim. He was previously charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of sex trafficking, and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Victim-1 has been identified as Cassie Ventura, a pop star and former girlfriend of the disgraced mogul, whose November 2023 lawsuit initiated Diddy’s downfall. Ventura is set to testify at the criminal trial, and a disturbing video of Combs assaulting her will be introduced as evidence.
Sean “Diddy” Combs attends TimesTalks Presents: An Evening with Sean “Diddy” Combs at The New School on September 20, 2017 in New York City.
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The Bad Boys Records founder entered a not guilty plea to the two newer charges: one count of sex trafficking and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution of “Victim-2.” He has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“These are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion,” detailed Combs’ team.
Combs rejected a plea deal and will stand trial on May 5, 2025, as scheduled.
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