Sean “Diddy” Combs made an appearance in court on Friday for one of the final hearings before his trial begins in May.
During the pretrial conference, he surprised those in attendance with a striking new look. As prosecutors revealed additional claims in their case, Combs, who blew a kiss to his family, drew attention for his drastically changed appearance—his hair now completely white and his beard graying.
Authorities arrested the embattled hip-hop mogul in September on federal charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
The hearing, held in Manhattan federal court, provided a forum for Combs’ legal team and prosecutors to debate various trial-related matters, including jury selection, submitted evidence, and the court timeline.
Additionally, Combs was arraigned on a new indictment that introduced further allegations, asserting that he forced employees to work grueling hours and threatened repercussions for those who refused to aid in his two-decade-long sex-trafficking operation.
The Trial Timeline
Jury selection is set to begin on May 5, marking the official start of the trial—more than a year after Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit alleging rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse.
Her case triggered a wave of additional civil complaints, accusing the Bad Boy Records founder of various sexual assaults spanning his three-decade career.
Combs’ Charges, Explained
The day after Combs’ arrest in September, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment and formally announced federal charges against the music mogul.
He faces accusations of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution—charges to which he has previously pleaded not guilty.
Racketeering refers to participation in an unlawful scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a federal law used to prosecute entities engaged in organized criminal activity.
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege that Combs’ racketeering activities encompassed “multiple acts of kidnapping,” arson, bribery, witness tampering, forced labor, sex trafficking, prostitution-related transport, and narcotics distribution.
Prosecutors claim to possess “dozens” of videos that allegedly document Combs’ so-called “freak offs”—multi-day sex performances involving sex workers and individuals he is accused of coercing through drug use and intimidation. These recordings are said to substantiate witness testimonies.
Earlier this month, a second superseding indictment was filed—building upon an amended January indictment that included three previously unnamed women who allegedly fell victim to Combs’ purported sex-trafficking operation. The latest charges allege that Combs subjected employees to inhumane working conditions and forced labor.
Why Was Diddy Arrested?
Combs was taken into custody on September 16 following the filing of a sealed indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The indictment, a 14-page document unsealed on September 17, revealed details of an extensive and ongoing federal investigation into the hip-hop mogul.
At the time, Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, released a statement saying, “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
Is Diddy in Jail?
Despite multiple attempts to secure bail, Combs has been ordered to remain in custody at the Special Housing Unit of Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center while awaiting trial.
His legal team has appealed this decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He has been in jail since his arrest on September 16.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (Photo: Getty Images)What Happened at Diddy’s Court Hearing?
During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs to enter a plea for the revised indictment.
Standing before the court, Combs spoke briefly. When asked how he was doing, he responded, “Fine,” before formally pleading “not guilty” to the newly added charges.
Ahead of Friday’s pretrial conference, both Combs’ attorneys and federal prosecutors submitted letters to Judge Subramanian outlining key legal matters for review, according to a document. The issues ranged from jury selection to discovery obligations.
Regarding jury selection, prosecutors proposed an April 21 start date to prevent the trial from extending beyond July 4, which they argued could create “unnecessary additional challenges in seating a jury.”
However, Combs’ legal team requested a later, two-part start date on May 5 and 6, contending that an earlier start would “substantially prejudice the defense.”
Judge Subramanian ultimately ruled that 300 potential jurors would be screened daily on April 28 and 29, with the process potentially extending to April 30. Additionally, the judge suggested a sequestered voir dire (jury selection process) on May 5. Opening statements are set to begin on May 12, with both sides agreeing to the timeline.
Discovery Disputes and Final Pretrial Conference
During the discovery process—where both parties exchange relevant documents and evidence—prosecutors have accused Combs and his legal team of failing to produce any materials. They have requested the court to order compliance.
The defense, however, countered by stating they planned to submit case evidence at the pretrial conference. This reportedly includes a subpoena response regarding its publication of hotel surveillance footage depicting Combs and Ventura during a 2016 incident.
After previous disagreements over scheduling, the final pretrial conference is now set for April 25.
Why Were Diddy’s Homes Raided?
On March 25, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents conducted raids at Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami, NBC News, and The Associated Press.
At the time, an HSI spokesperson confirmed that “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation.”
Authorities have since clarified that these searches were linked to the New York-based sex trafficking investigation against Combs.
During the raids, federal agents reportedly uncovered multiple AR-15 rifles, large-capacity magazines, and what officials described as “evidence” of the crimes outlined in the indictment.
Additionally, authorities claim they found over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant allegedly used in “freak off” parties—described as elaborate and choreographed sex performances.
Why Did Cassie Sue Diddy?
Combs’ legal troubles began in November 2023 when his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse. The lawsuit was settled the following day for an undisclosed amount.
Ventura, who started dating Combs at 19 while under contract with his Bad Boy label, alleged that he plied her with drugs and alcohol, controlled aspects of her life—including her healthcare and career—and subjected her to physical abuse.
The lawsuit further alleged that in 2018, Combs raped Ventura and forced her into repeated, unwanted sexual encounters with male prostitutes, whom he hired and secretly recorded.