A federal judge has denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to postpone his upcoming sex trafficking trial, which is scheduled to commence on May 5, 2025, in New York. Combs’ legal team had sought a two-month delay, citing the need for additional preparation time following new charges and the inclusion of a new victim in the case. However, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that the trial should proceed as planned, emphasizing the adequacy of the time available for preparation. The trial is expected to last between eight to ten weeks.
In a related pretrial development, Judge Subramanian has excluded testimonies from two prior accusers, deeming their uncorroborated allegations potentially prejudicial. However, testimony from a third accuser, known as “Victim 5,” will be permitted under her real name. Combs faces serious charges involving abuse, drug-fueled coercion, and forced sexual acts, all of which he denies, asserting that the acts in question were consensual.
If convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking, Combs faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison.