Sean “Diddy” Combs has pleaded not responsible to further fees of intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution, which have been added to the indictment in opposition to him earlier in April.
The brand new allegations take the entire variety of felony fees in opposition to the rap mogul to 5 – following the three unique counts, which additionally included racketeering conspiracy, filed in September.
Combs, 55, has already pleaded not responsible to the unique fees and strenuously denied all allegations in opposition to him.
He appeared in court docket on Monday to enter his further plea earlier than US District Decide Arun Subramanian in Manhattan, New York.
Combs sketched at in the present day’s listening to. Pic: Reuters
Combs, with gray hair and a goatee, and carrying tan jail clothes over a white thermal shirt, was extra subdued than in earlier hearings.
As we speak’s listening to additionally noticed Combs’ legal professionals recommend they could request a two-week adjournment for his trial, scheduled for Could, if they don’t obtain sure essential proof from prosecutors.
Combs’ lawyer, Teny Geragos, stated the defence had not been despatched some 200,000 emails between the rapper and one of many alleged victims.
Assistant US lawyer Christie Slavik stated prosecutors oppose any delay and accused Combs’ legal professionals of utilizing “gamesmanship” to delay the trial.
Decide Subramanian admonished the defence, saying: “We’re on a freight practice rushing in the direction of trial, in order for you an adjournment, it’s good to make that software inside the subsequent forty-eight hours.”
Either side might be again in court docket for one more listening to on Friday.
Combs on the Billboard Music Awards in Could 2022. Pic: AP
Addressing the extra fees in an announcement, legal professionals for Combs beforehand stated: “These will not be new allegations or new accusers. These are the identical people… who have been concerned in consensual relationships.”
Prosecutors declare the rapper and producer used his enterprise empire to sexually abuse girls between 2004 and 2024.
He has been accused of organising “freak offs” – allegedly inducing girls and male intercourse staff into drug-fuelled sexual performances.
Combs has denied allegations of wrongdoing, saying all relationships and sexual encounters have been consensual.
His trial is because of begin on 5 Could, with jury choice anticipated to take a few week earlier than the opening statements, that are scheduled to start on 12 Could.
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Combs has been jailed in Brooklyn because the fees have been introduced in September, having been denied bail.
He additionally faces dozens of civil lawsuits by men and women who’ve accused him of sexual abuse.
