New York: Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was arrested for sex trafficking, racketeering and conspiracy, was given a May 2025 trial date by a judge in New York.
In a decision filed Friday, Circuit Judge William J. Nardini denied the hip-hop mogul’s immediate release from jail while a three-judge panel weighs his bail request.
Combs’ lawyers appealed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Sept. 30 after two judges rejected his release.
Combs, 54, has been held at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his Sept. 16 arrest on charges that he used his “power and prestige” as a music star to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed “Freak Offs.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges alleging he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
At a bail hearing three weeks ago, a judge rejected the defense’s $50 million bail proposal that would’ve allowed the “I’ll Be Missing You” singer to be placed under house arrest at his Florida mansion with GPS monitoring and strict limits on visitors.
Defense says government leaked 2016 hotel assault video
Combs’ attorneys filed a motion for an evidentiary hearing alleging the government, mostly the Department of Homeland Security, leaked information and material, including the 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking his former girlfriend, singer Cassie, which aired on CNN.
Defense attorneys want the video out of evidence, saying leaks prevented him from “getting fair consideration” by the grand jury and that they tainted the jury pool.
In court, the all-female prosecution team told the judge no leaks came from prosecutors and that they believed “this motion is baseless,” a means for the defense to “try and exclude a damning piece of evidence.”
Prosecutors also took issue with comments Combs’ lead attorney made in the press. They said he accused the government of a racist prosecution, quoting an interview where he called it the “takedown of a successful Black man.”
The judge said a reciprocal gag order could be written up.
“I’m not going to say anything that I haven’t said in court and that I haven’t said in my court papers,” Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lead defense attorney said outside the courthouse.
Prosecutors indicated they could file a superseding indictment.
