Sean “Diddy” Combs is headed to trial after rejecting a plea deal offered by federal prosecutors. The details of his trial were revealed during a court hearing in Manhattan on Friday morning. Rather than accepting the plea deal, Combs, through his legal team, made it clear that they would be fighting the charges head-on.
Combs faces multiple serious charges, including two counts of sex trafficking and one count of racketeering. While the exact terms of the proposed plea deal were not disclosed, the confirmation ends months of speculation that such an offer had been quietly extended.
Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, took a bold stance in court, indicating that the defence will argue Combs’s behaviour falls under the realm of consensual adult activity, particularly a swinger lifestyle, but nothing illegal. Agnifilo added that such behaviour is “so common” that Combs likely did not see it as unusual or unlawful.
Prosecutors, however, pushed back against the idea that this defence could be used to normalise alleged criminal behaviour. They specifically asked the judge to prohibit comparisons to other public figures or mention of others allegedly hiring sex workers. Agnifilo agreed not to bring up unrelated cases but insisted he must be allowed to show that some of the acts cited in the charges were consistent with a consensual lifestyle.
The hearing also surfaced new allegations that have stunned many. According to TMZ, prosecutors claim Combs may have pressured one of the alleged victims into getting a medical procedure. The procedure reportedly ties directly into the sex trafficking charges. While the nature of the procedure wasn’t specified in court, it adds a disturbing layer to the ongoing case.
Additionally, despite Comb’s legal team’s efforts to have the footage of him assaulting his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, dismissed from the trial, the court will permit prosecutors to show surveillance footage. The video was reportedly filmed on an iPhone 6 by a witness who will also testify. Ventura and three anonymous individuals who are allegedly victims of the rapper will take the stand during the trial, which begins on May 5.