Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has formally rejected a plea deal from U.S. prosecutors that would have spared him a prolonged prison sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, setting the stage for a highly anticipated trafficking trial set to begin next week.
Appearing in court on Thursday in a beige prison uniform and glasses, the 55-year-old Bad Boy Records founder appeared composed and even waved to spectators in the gallery.
When asked by Judge Arun Subramanian whether he was rejecting the plea deal, Combs replied, “Yes, I do, your honour. Thank you.”
Combs faces serious federal charges of sex trafficking and prostitution, with prosecutors alleging he coerced women into prolonged sexual orgies he reportedly referred to as “freak-offs.” He has denied all charges, insisting his lifestyle, while unconventional, was consensual and not criminal.
His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, hinted at the defence strategy during a previous hearing, describing Combs as a “swinger” who engaged in a lifestyle some might find inappropriate but not illegal.
“That lifestyle, while offensive to some, is not a crime,” Agnifilo stated.
If convicted, Combs could face life imprisonment. His trial coincides with the Met Gala on May 6, a glittering celebrity event he once regularly attended, highlighting the dramatic shift from red carpets to courtroom battles in the rapper’s public image.
Jury selection begins
Jury selection for the high-profile trial began earlier this week, with a pool of up to 150 potential jurors receiving questionnaires designed to assess their familiarity with the case and filter out any biases. Opening arguments are scheduled for May 12, and the trial is expected to span at least eight weeks.
Among the key witnesses expected to testify is Combs’ former partner, Cassandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie. The R&B singer filed a bombshell lawsuit in November 2023 accusing Combs of rape and repeated physical abuse during their 10-year relationship. The case was quickly settled out of court, but it triggered renewed scrutiny into Combs’ past conduct.
CNN later aired surveillance footage showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel. Though his legal team attempted to have the video dismissed, arguing it was altered and shown out of sequence, Judge Subramanian ruled last week that the footage is admissible in court. Notably, the defence has not denied that the assault took place.
From luxury to lockup
Since his arrest in September, Combs has been held at a detention centre in Brooklyn, far removed from his former lifestyle in lavish Miami and L.A. estates. The once flamboyant star has appeared noticeably aged, with grey hair and beard due to prison restrictions on grooming products such as hair dye.
However, in a nod to the importance of jury perception, the court has approved a request allowing Combs to wear civilian clothing during the trial. According to a court order, he will be allowed to wear up to five button-down shirts, five pairs of pants, sweaters, socks, and two pairs of shoes (without laces).
Such allowances are common in high-stakes criminal trials, as prison uniforms are believed to subconsciously influence jurors and portray the defendant in a prejudicial light.
