Judge warns Sean 'Diddy' Combs in court, says he doesn't want “surprises”

Music and entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared again in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, December 18, in a case that has captured public and media attention. Dressed in a khaki prison jumpsuit, Combs appeared before Judge Arun Subramanian for a status conference in his case, in which he faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation for prostitution.

With the trial scheduled for May of next year, Judge Subramanian urged Combs’ defense team to keep the motions agenda up to date before Jan. 3, emphasizing the importance of avoiding “last-minute surprises.” This hearing marked Combs’ first appearance since his Nov. 22 bail hearing, in which he was denied bail due to concerns about possible witness tampering.

Combs has since withdrawn his bail appeal and will remain incarcerated at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center through the holiday season. His next appearance is scheduled for March 17, as preparations for the trial continue.

The case against Combs centers on so-called “freak offs,” which prosecutors describe as elaborate sexual performances in which male and female sex workers allegedly participated under duress. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Since his arrest in September, the allegations have sparked intense scrutiny of the Bad Boy Records founder.

A controversial aspect of the case has been the allegation that prosecutors leaked evidence to the media. In a recent decision, Judge Subramanian denied an evidentiary hearing on these claims. Specifically, Combs’ defense had argued that the government leaked surveillance video related to an alleged assault on singer Cassie Ventura in 2016. However, the judge ruled that Combs did not provide sufficient evidence to support these allegations.

Subramanian also allowed Combs to access a laptop in jail to review discovery materials as he prepares for trial. Additionally, he was allowed to appear in court without shackles, following arguments from his lawyers that this could negatively influence the jury’s perception.

With the trial on the horizon and new revelations possible in the coming weeks, the case of Sean “Diddy” Combs remains one of the most followed legal stories in the United States. Meanwhile, the judge’s decision to maintain a rigorous focus on the timeline underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the complexity of the judicial process ahead.