Warning: this article discusses sexual assault and domestic abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial is set to begin today (5 May) in the state of New York, with the record executive facing multiple charges that could land him behind bars for a significant amount of time.
It's been almost eight months since the music producer was arrested, but the Grammy winner is finally set to stand trial after being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
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Diddy has been denied bail several times while in jail, and even turned down an 11th hour plea deal, having been asked by judge Arun Subramanian if he rejected prosecutors' plea deal, Combs replied: "Yes, I do, your honour. Thank you."
Statements from his lawyer have called him an 'innocent man' as he plans to fight for his name in court for what could be an eight to 10-week trial.
Diddy’s arrest and indictment
Combs was arrested on 16 September 2024 in a Manhattan hotel room following a grand jury indictment.
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His lawyer claimed that the Bad Boy Records co-founder had cooperated and relocated to New York in anticipation of these charges, adding: "These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court."
Lawsuits have since been filed which allege a number of incidents and felonies over a 25-year period.
What has Diddy been charged with?
The 55-year-old has been hit with three charges by the Southern District of New York (SDNY) in a 14-page legal indictment.
These are as follows:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion
- Transportation to engage in prostitution
They are to do with sex trafficking, drug possession and firearms offences, with racketeering and sex trafficking carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.
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It is further stated in the indictment that since 2008, Combs 'abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct'.
The indictment also claims that he used his power in the industry to create a 'criminal enterprise' where associates would engage in several other crimes, including forced labour and arson.
It also added that about 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant were seized from Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles when they were raided by authorities, part of the artist's alleged 'freak-off' parties.
A day after his arrest, Combs pleaded not guilty and was denied bail, while lawyer Marc Agnifilo said: "Mr Combs is a fighter. He's going to fight this to the end. He's innocent."
What has Diddy said in response to the charges?
Following his arrest, Diddy's attorney told LADbible: "As Mr. Combs’ legal team has emphasised, he cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus.
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"That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors.
"He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation."
The statement came after Houston attorney Tony Buzbee alleged that more lawsuits would be filed against Diddy from around 120 'victims'.
Combs was even denied bail at $50 million (£37.8 million).
What else has Diddy been accused of in lawsuits?
Numerous allegations have come out following his arrest, with several charges of rape and sexual assault being made against Diddy.
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While it was claimed that his criminal enterprise was disguised as a music empire, the music producer had also previously been sued by former partner Cassandra Ventura, better known as Cassie.
She's set to be a witness in the court case, but the singer had accused Diddy of rape and a decade of physical and emotional abuse, back in 2023.
The case would be settled the following day, before damning footage of Diddy dragging her by her hair was captured by CCTV in a California hotel.
Diddy's team tried to exclude the footage from the trial, but the court ruled it as admissible.
How long could Diddy spend in prison?
Combs is looking at life imprisonment if he's found guilty of the three felony charges.
Racketeer conspiracy, which can be described as illegal activity for profit that is disguised as business dealings, can land you a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion also has a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as a mandatory minimum of 15 years.
Thirdly, transportation for purposes of prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, so the music producer could be looking at numerous life sentences.
Will Diddy’s trial be televised?
Diddy's trial will not be televised as he is facing federal criminal charges, which means that the presence of 'electronic media' is banned in the court room, as set out by a 1946 law.
Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, photographs and broadcasting from the courtroom is prohibited in a federal criminal trial.
Federal civil proceedings have more flexible rules, which you may have seen in the past, as they are at the discretion of the judge.
A jury of 12 people is set to be decided today, while opening statements are expected on 12 May.
Joshua Nair