Judge Denies Diddy’s Request for Delay in Serious Sex-Trafficking Case

Judge Denies Diddy’s Request for Delay in Serious Sex-Trafficking Case

A federal judge has firmly rejected Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request for a two-month postponement in his ongoing sex-trafficking legal battle. This decision, made by Judge Arun Subramanian, maintains the scheduled trial start date, which is now set for May 5, giving Diddy’s legal team only three weeks to prepare a robust defense against serious charges including sex trafficking, forced labor, and kidnapping.

Low Timeframe for Legal Preparation

During a hearing on Friday, Diddy’s son, Justin Combs, and his mother, Janice Combs, were present to lend their support. Janice has consistently shown up at Diddy’s court appearances as he faces daunting allegations.

On Wednesday, Diddy’s defense team submitted a letter to the court seeking a two-month adjournment, arguing that they do not have adequate time to prepare their case following the government’s recent filing of the Third Superseding Indictment. This latest indictment, which adds significant new allegations, was filed against Diddy on April 3, with his arraignment occurring on April 14.

New Charges Intensify Legal Scramble

The defense team highlighted a new charge that could potentially result in a minimum prison sentence of 15 years. However, Diddy’s lawyers assert they received crucial evidence related to these new allegations only after the indictment was filed, further complicating their preparation efforts. Specifically, they claim to still be waiting on 3,500 pieces of evidentiary materials, witness lists, and additional exhibits connected to this severe charge.

“Given these circumstances, with discovery seemingly incomplete on a charge carrying a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence, we cannot, in good conscience, proceed to trial on the scheduled date,” attorney Andrew Agnifilo stated in the letter to the court. He emphasized that the difficulties in gathering the necessary evidence stemmed from the government’s actions, yet the government stands opposed to their request for a delay.

Debate Over Document Requests

During the arraignment, Diddy’s attorneys argued that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has withheld a staggering amount of information from the defense team, claiming it involves over 200,000 documents pertinent to the case. Attorney Teny Geragos acknowledged that her request to obtain witness communications from the government is unusual, yet she insists that vital email and text communications have not been fully disclosed.

Prosecutor Christine Slavik contested the defense’s request for a trial delay, alleging that Diddy’s legal team is engaging in “gamesmanship” by demanding such a large volume of documents shortly before the trial. Slavik noted that the witness’ attorney has already provided relevant documents to Diddy’s defense team but suggested that the judge might require prosecutors to supply complete documents through digital storage if they continue to resist the defense’s requests.

Recent Allegations Against Diddy

The legal troubles for Diddy escalated with the April 3 indictment, wherein federal prosecutors accused him of engaging in sex trafficking involving a female victim as recently as the following year. The case details that Diddy allegedly transferred this woman, identified as “Victim 2,” and other sex workers across state lines to facilitate prostitution from 2021 to 2024.

At a court appearance earlier this month, Diddy pleaded not guilty to a previous version of the indictment, which had graver implications with a longer timeline for his alleged sex trafficking and racketeering activities along with additional victims.

Threats and Coercion Allegations

Moreover, prosecutors have contended that Diddy has coerced his employees into working long hours, employing threats of both physical harm and reputational damage. The indictment also claims that he compelled an employee to engage in sexual encounters against their will.

Ongoing Legal Challenges Ahead

As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of Diddy’s trial could set significant precedents for similar cases in the entertainment industry. With multiple serious allegations now constituting the basis for his defense, how Diddy’s team navigates these challenges will likely impact both his personal and professional life profoundly.

Diddy’s case underscores the growing concern over illicit activities within high-profile entertainment circles, revealing the complexities of defending against such serious accusations. Observers will undoubtedly keep a close eye on developments as the scheduled trial date approaches.

This report incorporates contributions from Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright and Kirill Clark.