Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is requesting a two-month postponement of his upcoming federal sex-trafficking trial, claiming that the prosecution has not but offered all the required proof for a good authorized continuing.
Newest replace on trial request
As per Deadline, in a letter submitted on Wednesday, Combs’ authorized workforce, led by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, urged the court docket to adjourn the trial, presently set to start with jury choice on Could 5 and opening statements on Could 12.
They argue that new proof included in a current superseding indictment requires extra time to overview and put together a correct defence.
“The federal government opposes our proposed affordable adjournment request, although it’s nonetheless producing discovery,” the protection wrote in a closely redacted submitting, including, “Underneath these circumstances, with discovery seemingly incomplete on a 15-year necessary minimal depend, we can not, in good conscience, go to trial on the scheduled date,” as quoted by Deadline.
Extra particulars concerning the case
The US Legal professional’s Workplace for the Southern District of New York has not formally commented on the delay request however has beforehand indicated it opposes any adjustments to the trial timeline.
Choose Arun Subramanian acknowledged the defence’s considerations in a observe hooked up to the submitting, stating that the court docket will handle excellent evidentiary issues, together with these associated to a fourth alleged sufferer, at a scheduled listening to on Friday.
“Pending this Friday’s convention, the events ought to proceed on the present schedule,” the decide ordered, whereas additionally inviting Combs’ workforce to refile evidence-related requests that handle authorities objections, as per Deadline.
Combs was arrested in September in a Manhattan resort by NYPD and federal brokers.
He’s going through a number of fees, together with intercourse trafficking, racketeering, and coercion, stemming from a collection of explosive allegations.
As per Deadline, prosecutors declare Combs orchestrated coercive sexual encounters involving medication, threats, and employed escorts, periods dubbed “freak-offs”, and captured the acts on video.
The case additionally attracts from a high-profile civil settlement with singer Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend, who alleged abuse and assault.
Though that case was settled rapidly for USD 30 million, Ventura has indicated she is prepared to testify at trial, in keeping with Deadline.
Combs’ spokesperson, nevertheless, insists the accusations contain “consensual relationships” and denies all felony wrongdoing.
The defence has additionally criticised the federal government’s conduct, claiming racial bias and unconstitutional search practices throughout raids at Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
Earlier this yr, the workforce accused prosecutors of concentrating on “non-conforming sexual exercise” and challenged using sure proof, together with surveillance footage launched by CNN.
As per Deadline, Combs has asserted that the video was edited, a declare CNN denies.
Regardless of getting into not responsible pleas on all fees, Combs’ authorized troubles proceed to mount, with Friday’s convention prone to play a vital function in figuring out whether or not the trial will transfer ahead as deliberate or be pushed to a later date.
(by way of inputs from ANI)
