NEW YORK (AP) — Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs returned to federal courtroom in New York Metropolis on Friday, pleading not responsible to the newest model of an indictment charging him with 20 years of intercourse trafficking crimes.
The 55-year-old Combs, his beard noticeably grayer than even weeks in the past, stood together with his fingers folded earlier than him as he informed Decide Arun Subramanian that he had learn the indictment and understood the costs in opposition to him.
Combs, who has been held with out bail since his September arrest, hugged two of his attorneys as he entered the courtroom.
Subramanian informed attorneys that questionnaires shall be distributed to tons of of potential jurors on the finish of April in order that questioning of would-be jurors can start on Might 5, with opening statements anticipated to happen on Might 12.
In line with the indictment, Combs used the “power and prestige” he wielded as a music mogul to intimidate, threaten and lure girls into his orbit, usually beneath the pretense of a romantic relationship.
The indictment mentioned he then used drive, threats and coercion to trigger victims, together with the three girls, to interact in industrial intercourse acts.
It mentioned he subjected his victims to violence, threats of violence, threats of economic and reputational hurt and verbal abuse.
“On multiple occasions, Combs threw both objects and people, as well as hit, dragged, choked and shoved others,” it mentioned. “On one occasion, Combs dangled a victim over an apartment balcony.”
Protection attorneys have argued that prosecutors had been making an attempt to demonize intercourse acts between consenting adults.
A part of the dialogue in courtroom Friday revolved round what shall be allowed on the trial relating to a video that aired on CNN final 12 months that confirmed Combs punching his former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, and throwing her on the ground in a resort hallway.
Assistant U.S. Legal professional Mitzi Steiner mentioned the video was “critical to the case.”
Protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo mentioned the video was “deceptive and not in accordance with the actions that took place.”
He mentioned sure actions had been sped up within the video by as a lot as 50 p.c and others had been taken out of order.
“From the defense standpoint, it’s a misleading piece of evidence, a deceptive piece of evidence, a piece of evidence that has been changed,” he mentioned.
Combs blew kisses and waved to relations within the gallery as he was led out of the courtroom by marshals.
