Throughout his pretrial listening to on Could 1, embattled hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs formally rejected a plea deal provided by federal prosecutors that may have lowered his jail time if convicted. The choice comes simply days away from the mogul’s intercourse trafficking trial, which is able to start on Could 5.
Based on USA At the moment, Combs—who will head to trial on Monday to dispute costs of racketeering conspiracy, coercion, intercourse trafficking and prostitution—informed Choose Arun Subramanian, “Sure I do, your honor,” when the court docket official requested him to make clear if he could be rejecting the federal government’s plea supply. Previous to saying his choice, Combs gave the impression to be in good spirits, hugging his legislation group and grinning earlier than the court docket proceeded with the listening to.
Whereas the precise phrases of a possible plea deal weren’t disclosed, Assistant U.S. Lawyer Maurene Comey informed ABC Information Thursday that pleading responsible would have considerably lowered the jail time Sean “Diddy” Combs would possibly face in comparison with being convicted at trial on all costs. If discovered responsible on all counts, Combs may face life sentence.
Jury choice for Combs’ intercourse trafficking trial will start on Monday and final for as much as three days, USA At the moment famous.
Right here’s What Will Occur Throughout Jury Choice
Attorneys plan to display screen as much as 150 potential jurors, with every questionnaire anticipated to take 20 to half-hour. Regardless of the tight schedule, federal prosecutors are assured the method can keep on monitor. They’ve indicated that reaching the total pool of 150 will not be mandatory if they will determine 45 certified jurors early within the course of. Jury choice within the Combs case is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. on Monday. Each side can have till Could 8 and 9 to arrange for opening statements, that are set to start on Could 12.
As beforehand reported, Combs entered a not responsible plea to costs of racketeering, conspiracy, and intercourse trafficking. Prosecutors allege that Combs, with the help of associates, engaged in a sample of coercion and abuse spanning a number of years, utilizing threats, violence, and blackmail to intimidate and silence his victims, allegedly each ladies and men.
Diddy’s authorized group seems to be getting ready a protection primarily based on his alleged diminished psychological capability. Based on court docket paperwork obtained by TMZ, attorneys for the “Final Night time” hitmaker are gearing as much as current knowledgeable testimony from a Columbia College professor claiming that Diddy was affected by a “psychological situation” on the time of the alleged crimes. Whereas the specifics of the situation are redacted, prosecutors observe the protection is tied to Diddy’s alleged historical past of substance abuse, together with drug and alcohol use, that will have impaired his reminiscence or judgment.
