Sean “Diddy” Combs rejects plea deal as intercourse trafficking, racketeering case set to start
Sean “Diddy” Combs rejected a plea deal provide throughout the ultimate pre-trial listening to in his intercourse trafficking and racketeering case in New York Metropolis on Thursday.
Jury choice is ready to start subsequent week.
What occurred in courtroom
After asking Combs to verify he was of sound thoughts and never on any medicine, District Choose Arun Subramanian requested the rapper and producer if he rejected the prosecution’s provide of a plea deal, to which he replied, “Sure, I do.”
Particulars of the possible plea deal weren’t given.
Combs, 55, entered courtroom waving to numerous folks. He carried a pocket book and placed on glasses to learn at occasions. He was sporting tan jail clothes. Throughout his trial, nevertheless, Combs can be allowed to put on sure authorized road garments. A current courtroom order permits him to put on button-down shirts, pants, sweaters, socks and sneakers with out laces in courtroom.
Jury choice about to start
Potential jurors have already crammed out questionnaires. Beginning Monday, they’re going to be questioned individually and requested whether or not they’ve learn or watched information studies in regards to the case since filling these questionnaires out.
Combs has six protection attorneys, and on Thursday they mentioned they’re going to be including two extra.
In the meantime, the protection introduced up an alleged sufferer’s private lawyer, saying they had been “involved together with her habits right here.” The protection mentioned that lawyer had given an interview to a TV community in an try and bolster her shopper’s credibility. The choose reminded all of the attorneys and witnesses to stick to guidelines {of professional} conduct.
Potential jurors had been requested to reach at courtroom early Monday. The choose is hoping to finish jury choice in just a few days as a way to give attorneys the remainder of the week to give attention to trial prep.
Opening statements are scheduled for Could 12.
Combs has pleaded not responsible to 5 counts, together with transportation to interact in prostitution and intercourse trafficking. He has been held with out bail since his September arrest. He might face a long time in jail if convicted.
