(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was back in the courtroom on Thursday (Oct. 10) for a status hearing with Judge Amit Subramanian. His lawyers, prosecutors and the judge discussed the producer’s trial date and evidence exchange.
Inner City Press’ Matthew Russell covered aspects of the hearing on X (formerly Twitter). According to Russell, the judge gave Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, a choice between April and May 2025 for the trial start. Combs is facing sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges. The 14-page indictment, released last month, accuses Diddy of abusive and predatory behavior toward women and others. He pleaded not guilty last month.
“For decades… the defendant abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” the document states. “To do so, COMBS relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled — creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
Ultimately, Attorney Agnifilo opted for May because of “a lot of discovery,” meaning evidence. So, as of Thursday, the trial is set to begin on May 5, 2025.
Additionally, prosecutors reportedly told Judge Subramanian their case will be three weeks long. However, AUSA Emily Johnson added that their investigation into Diddy remains ongoing, which means “there could be a superseding indictment” before the trial begins. More changes or defendants are a possibility.
Meanwhile, Attorney Agnifilo estimated their defense case might be one week long. According to Inner City Press, Attorney Agnifilo also said they’re in communication with the government and have no current disputes.
Also, AUSA Emily Johnson reportedly revealed that they’ve handed over “one terabyte” of evidence. Johnson said they seized 96 devices during the March raids of Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami and after detaining him at a private Florida airport at the time. Eight of those devices reportedly had over 96 terabytes of information, per AP and the AUSA. Additionally, they seized four more devices during his arrest in Sept. Over the next 30 days, the government said they’ll be “extracting material.”
“Current technology doesn’t allow us to quickly extract. The government’s ability to decrypt is constantly evolving. Also sometimes with older tablets we don’t have the forensic tools, so we are looking for solutions. Some devices were damaged,” AUSA Emily Johnson reportedly said.
Diddy is due back in court in December 2024, per the judge, unless lawyers deem it unnecessary.
Inner City Press’ Matthew Russell also reported that Diddy arrived at the courthouse in the tan pants and shirt assigned by Brooklyn’s Metro Detention Center. He was reportedly “smiling” and hugged his lawyers. Combs has been behind bars on pre-trial detention since federal agents arrested him in a New York City hotel on Sept. 16. Two Manhattan judges denied his appeals for bail, including a voluntary offer to surrender his and his family’s passports. His legal team filed another appeal for pre-trial release on Tuesday (Oct. 8), per the Associated Press.
Additionally, his mother, Janice Combs, and children were in the courtroom on Thursday after traveling from Florida, per Attorney Anthony Ricco. Quincy, Justin, and Christian previously attended their dad’s hearings in September. But on Thursday, his daughters Chance, D’Lila and Jessie were also seen on videos holding hands with their brothers. Baby Love or her mother didn’t appear to be present.
Ahead of Thursday’s court hearing, Janice Combs slammed the public’s reactions to her son’s legal woes. In addition to federal charges, Diddy has been sued at least 11 times since Nov. 2023 for sexual assault and other relevant allegations. Additionally, more than 100 more lawsuits are expected to be filed within this month.
