What to know about Sean 'Diddy' Combs' arraignment:
- Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty Friday to a superseding indictment accusing the embattled hip-hop mogul of forcing employees to work long hours with little sleep and using threats to get them to comply with his demands.
- U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said jury selection for Combs' trial will begin May 5, with the trial tentatively set to start May 12. Combs faces federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
- The recording artist, producer and actor has also vehemently denied allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct detailed in dozens of civil lawsuits filed by various women and men. Combs’ alleged sex trafficking scheme spanned decades, from 2004 to 2024, according to prosecutors.
- Several of Combs' family members, including his mom, were in the courtroom audience Friday. Combs, who is being held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Correctional Center, appeared with gray hair and a gray beard.
Court is adjourned
All parties are exiting the courtroom.
Combs' lawyer says they need expert to evaluate medical records
Marc Agnifilo, one of Combs' lawyers, told the judge that the defense team "recently came into possession of a great deal of medical records." He said the defense team needed "an expert to explain what they mean."
Subramanian told Agnifilo to put that request in a letter so the court has it on the docket.
Next pretrial conference set for April 25
Subramanian set the next pretrial conference for April 25, ahead of jury questionnaires.
He told the lawyers that, if needed, they can schedule another pretrial conference before the trial's opening statements.
Judge tells lawyers to reach compromise on CNN video
Subramanian told the lawyers they need to discuss whether the CNN hotel video can be used during the trial. If they can't reach a compromise, he said, both sides will need to file motions.
Judge and lawyers discuss 2016 hotel video aired by CNN
Subramanian and the lawyers on both sides of the case are now discussing hotel security camera footage showing Combs beating an ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in 2016. The video was obtained and aired by CNN.
Combs' lawyers have alleged that the video aired by CNN was "substantially altered." CNN has forcefully denied that claim, with a spokesperson saying in a statement: "CNN never altered the video and did not destroy the original copy of the footage, which was retained by the source."
Jury selection to start May 5
Judge Arun Subramanian said jury selection will begin May 5, with the trial tentatively slated to start May 12.
Combs pleads not guilty to allegations in superseding indictment
Combs just pleaded not guilty to the allegations described in the superseding indictment at the center of today's hearing.
The superseding indictment accuses the embattled hip-hop mogul of forcing employees to work long hours with little sleep and using threats to get them to comply with his demands.
Combs' family members arrive
Several members of Combs' family, including at least one of his sons and one of his daughters, have arrived outside court in a black SUV.
The prosecution enters
Prosecutors have arrived, too, and they are chatting with the defense team near the jury box.
Alexandra Shapiro, the defense appellate attorney, has joined in the conversation with prosecutors.
Combs' attorneys are here
Combs' attorneys, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, have arrived in the courtroom. They're setting up their documents on the defense table.
There's no sign yet of Combs’ mother and children, who usually arrive by now. We are minutes from the start of the hearing.
