Friday, May 2, 2025 — WafricNews

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has formally rejected a plea deal offered by federal prosecutors, setting the stage for a high-profile trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in New York City.

The decision came Thursday during the final pre-trial hearing, as Judge Arun Subramanian confirmed that Combs, 55, was mentally sound and not under the influence of drugs before asking whether he would accept the deal. “Yes, I do,” Combs responded when asked if he was rejecting the offer. Details of the proposed agreement were not disclosed in court.

Combs, dressed in tan prison garb and carrying a notebook, appeared calm as he entered the courtroom, occasionally using reading glasses. Though he remains in custody without bail since his arrest last September, a recent court order will allow him to wear approved street clothing—including button-down shirts and lace-free shoes—throughout the trial.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday, with prospective jurors to be questioned individually about potential exposure to media coverage surrounding the case. Questionnaires have already been completed, and Judge Subramanian aims to finalize the jury within a few days to allow lawyers to prepare for opening statements on May 12.

Combs’ defense team, currently comprising six attorneys, announced plans to add two more lawyers to their roster as they prepare for trial. Tensions surfaced during the hearing when the defense expressed concern over the conduct of an attorney representing one of the alleged victims, accusing her of media interference. The judge issued a reminder to all legal parties to observe professional conduct during proceedings.

Combs faces five felony counts, including sex trafficking and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, he could face decades in federal prison.

The trial is expected to draw intense media attention, not only for its celebrity defendant but also for its broader implications in the entertainment industry’s ongoing reckoning with abuse and power.


By WafricNews Desk.