Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ upcoming sex trafficking trial has officially been scheduled for May 5, 2025, following a critical hearing on Thursday, October 10, in Manhattan federal court.
The date-setting hearing marked the Bad Boy founder’s first appearance before Judge Arun Subramanian, who will oversee the case as it moves forward. Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, and his children were present to show their support during the proceedings.
According to Associated Press, the trial date was set after a contentious discussion about evidence, specifically a leaked video from 2016 showing Diddy allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, in a hotel corridor.
The defense argued that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security unlawfully leaked this footage to the media, causing severe pretrial publicity that could harm Diddy’s right to a fair trial. According to his attorneys, this and other leaks from the government have created an atmosphere of bias that could influence potential jurors.
During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson refuted the defense’s accusations, claiming they were trying to prevent the jury from seeing what she called a crucial piece of evidence. Johnson dismissed the defense’s claims as unfounded, stating that the leaked video was essential to the case.
While Judge Subramanian has not yet ruled on whether the video will be admitted as evidence, he urged both legal teams to submit a proposal instructing lawyers to refrain from publicly releasing any information that could prejudice the jury. The judge expressed his intention to sign such an order, ensuring that both sides adhere to the rules of a fair trial process.
In a further development, prosecutors hinted that additional charges might be brought against Diddy. They are reportedly considering a superseding indictment, which could lead to more defendants or new charges and potentially delay the start of the trial.