Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs appears in court for a pre-trial hearing. He pleads not guilty to forced labour charges which are part of an updated indictment. Lawyers also argue over the inclusion of the CNN leaked footage which shows Combs kicking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura in the hallway of a hotel in 2016. It was agreed that jury selection will begin on 5 May, with opening trial statements on 12 May.The BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik was in the courtroom and speaks to Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty.The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need. We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1. Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bad Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige. His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence. His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016. Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims. He is accused of the federal charges of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence. He denies the charges.
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bbc sounds music radio podcasts Hello and welcome back to Diddy on Trial from BBC Sounds with me, Anushka Matandadaosi. This is the place to come to find out everything you need to know about Diddy and his upcoming trial. Don't forget to subscribe and turn on your push notifications so you never miss a thing.
Sean Diddy Combs is charged with sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution and racketeering with conspiracy. He denies all the charges. And we're recording this on Friday straight after Diddy's pre-trial court hearing at the US District Courthouse in New York City. The BBC's New York correspondent, Neda Taufee, was in court. Hi, Neda. Hi.
First of all, talk me through what the environment was like inside the atmosphere.
Well, look, it was a packed courtroom, as it often is with such a high profile case like this. You have in the You know, a courtroom, rich, dark wood paneled courtroom, blue carpet with several rows.
And you had about 60 people or so, four rows of press were there, three rows of members of the public, really people from law students who just wanted to kind of see the hearing to others who just found the case interesting. And obviously, the focus is always on who is going to come from the defense side.
You had several members of Sean Diddy Combs' family, Christian Combs, his son, who looks very much like him, his daughter Chance. His mother was also there wearing large sunglasses.
And then there was an interesting woman alongside them, actually, Mervet Brito, who is a close friend of his, one of his previous PR executives, but someone who clearly wanted to come and show her support as well because she is known to still be close to him. And then alongside the family were two men who, when we asked who they were, they just described themselves as the support system.
for the family. One of them then, when he came outside of court, put on a shirt that had some wording on it saying that the media has it all wrong wording to really show what he feels about this case. And so it was certainly a packed courtroom. And when both the prosecution and the defense were ready to proceed, the court marshals did bring in Sean Diddy Combs, who
And it was really striking to see how he looked at this hearing in particular.
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