Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs loses bid to delay trial
Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs has been unsuccessful in his bid to delay his trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, which is set to start next month.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Combs and his team, led by Marc Agnifilo, have asked for the trial to be rescheduled so they can confront the new charges. In a letter to the judge, Arun Subramanian, filed on April 16th, Combs’ team said they cannot proceed with a May trial “in good conscience.”
However, the US District Judge has denied the request because it was made too close to the beginning of the trial. Combs was looking to postpone the trial by two months.
The major reason for Combs wanting a delay was the indictment he faced earlier this month, which saw the prosecution add additional charges. The fresh charges included new counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and an extra count of transportation to engage in prostitution, which Combs denies.
Combs’ lead attorneys, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, said the delay would provide them with “the necessary time to prepare his defence.”
His legal representatives also alleged that the charges on the superseding indictment were imposed by the government and are not borne out by any evidence, claiming, “This is a problem that the government has created, yet it opposes our reasonable request.”
Agnifilo previously sought a two-week delay to the trial during a court hearing on April 14th before extending the period to two months.
Following the decision by Subramanian, the hip-hop mogul’s trial date remains May 5th. He is currently imprisoned at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, which he denies. Opening statements are scheduled for May 12th, and the trial is expected to last for eight weeks.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.