By hannover-web.com Renowned rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious federal charges and was arrested in New York. On October 10, a Manhattan federal court scheduled his trial for sexual assault and trafficking for May 5 of next year. Prosecutors allege that Combs’ defense team is attempting to suppress “damaging evidence” by claiming a governmental leak.
According to the Associated Press, federal prosecutor Emily Johnson refuted the defense’s claims during Combs’ initial court appearance, presided over by Judge Arun Subramanian. During her presentation on the night of the 9th, Johnson contested the defense’s arguments, particularly regarding a video leaked to the media by the Department of Homeland Security, which allegedly shows Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a hotel hallway in Los Angeles in 2016. Combs’ lawyer argued that CNN’s airing of the video in May, accompanied by suspected government leaks, could lead to “destructive, highly prejudicial pre-trial publicity” that would jeopardize Combs’ right to a fair trial.
However, Johnson urged the judge to see through the defense’s tactics, stating that their claims were “baseless” and merely aimed at eliminating key evidence. She emphasized, “None of the so-called leaks originated from the prosecution.” Following this, Judge Subramanian instructed Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, to draft an order mandating both sides to refrain from publicly disclosing information that could influence the jury’s decision.
The 54-year-old Combs has denied allegations of extortion and sex trafficking, which claim he coerced and abused women over the years with the help of partners and employees, using threats of kidnapping, arson, and physical punishment to silence victims. Appearing in court wearing a prison jumpsuit on the 10th, Combs seemed more animated than in previous hearings, greeting each attorney warmly and smiling.
Johnson further noted that during a raid at Combs’ home and a private airport in Florida back in March, investigators seized 96 electronic devices. She also mentioned that four devices were confiscated when Combs was arrested last month, and that among the eight devices recovered in Miami, there’s over 90 terabytes of data, which is certainly “significant.” Since the video aired on CNN, Combs expressed remorse via social media, stating, “I felt disgusted then, and I still feel disgusted now.”
