Diddy’s Sex Trafficking Trial Officially Set for May 2025: Legal Challenges and Leaked Evidence at Manhattan Hearing

An official start date for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ highly anticipated sex trafficking trial has been set for May 5, 2025, following a recent hearing in Manhattan federal court on October 10, 2024. The hearing, presided over by Judge Arun Subramanian, also brought new developments, including rules for handling evidence and ongoing legal challenges.

Diddy, the founder of Bad Boy Records, attended the hearing with his mother, Janice Combs, and children in attendance. This marked the mogul’s first appearance before Judge Subramanian, who will oversee the trial moving forward.

Legal Battles Over Leaked Evidence

One of the major points of contention during the hearing involved footage of an alleged 2016 assault by Diddy on his former girlfriend, Cassie. Diddy’s legal team has requested that the video be excluded as evidence, arguing that the footage was leaked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading to “damaging, highly prejudicial” media coverage. This, they claim, could bias the jury and undermine their client’s right to a fair trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson, however, strongly opposed the exclusion, accusing the defense of trying to remove what she referred to as a “damning piece of evidence” with “baseless” claims about the leak. While Judge Subramanian didn’t make a final ruling on whether the footage would be admitted, he instructed Diddy’s defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, to propose an order that would prevent both sides from publicly disclosing information that could influence the jury.

Superseding Indictment Possible

As the case continues to unfold, prosecutors hinted at the possibility of a superseding indictment, which could introduce new charges or defendants, potentially delaying the trial. This comes amid an ongoing investigation that could further complicate Diddy’s legal situation.

Allegations of Strategic Leaks

Diddy’s legal team is also pushing back against what they allege are “strategic” leaks of evidence. On October 9, the day before the hearing, they filed a motion requesting an evidentiary hearing to investigate what they describe as “unlawful” government leaks to the media and false statements made by federal agents.

The motion argues that these leaks were not accidental but were “planned and executed” by the Department of Homeland Security, who had carried out raids on Diddy’s homes earlier in the year. His lawyers pointed to the widely circulated video of the 2016 assault on Cassie, claiming it was leaked to the media specifically to damage Diddy’s reputation and hinder his defense.

“The videotape was leaked to CNN for one reason alone: to mortally wound the reputation and the prospect of Sean Combs successfully defending himself against these allegations,” the motion reads.

What’s Next for Diddy’s Trial?

As the trial date draws nearer, all eyes remain on the legal challenges that could impact the outcome. With additional investigations possibly leading to further charges, and the controversy surrounding the leaked evidence, Diddy’s legal team is gearing up for a tough battle in the months ahead.

The upcoming trial promises to be one of the most closely watched cases in the entertainment world, with Diddy’s legacy and future hanging in the balance.