Judge tells Diddy’s team his trial will go ahead as planned, with opening statements set for 12 May. That’s despite his lawyers asking for a delay. Judge Subramanian did agree to some of the requests from Diddy’s team, allowing access to outtakes from a documentary and old drafts of an alleged victim’s memoir.Meanwhile, Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing many alleged victims bringing civil claims against Diddy, is now also acting for an anonymous woman who claims to have been raped by former NFL star Shannon Sharpe. He denies all the allegations.Plus, could US President Trump pardon Diddy if he is convicted?Criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent speaks to Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty about all the latest pre-trial news.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: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare FordhamCommissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial MillerSean ‘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.
Full Episode
BBC Sounds. Music, radio, podcasts. Hello and welcome back to Diddy on Trial from BBC Sounds with me, Anushka Matandadauti. Make sure you subscribe and turn your push notifications on so you never miss a thing. How many times have we said the prep and the build-up to this trial all felt a little speedy?
How many times has our resident criminal defense attorney, Sean Kent, told us that the prosecution and the defense are playing a game of adjournment chicken? Sean has been telling us that he thought both sides aren't fully prepared and that they were waiting to see who would blink first. Well, it was the defence. They blinked and they blinked big.
Just a few weeks before opening statements, they asked the judge, Judge Arun Subramaniam, for a two-month delay. And he said, not today. If you're not ready now, get ready. Pratiksha Gildayal is a senior producer for the BBC in New York and she was in court with Didi last week. Hi, Pratiksha. Hi, Anushka. How are you? I'm good, thank you.
I'm interested to see what were the main requests that were being made in that courtroom. What did it kick off with?
Right. So Anushka, we saw Didi in court not once, but twice last week on Monday and on Friday. On Monday, if you remember, he was arraigned on additional superseding charges, which means he was produced in court. He pleaded not guilty to additional charges which have been brought by federal prosecutors, which include charges. trafficking, as well as engaging in prostitution.
Now, these are more recent charges from recent years and involve a new alleged victim, apparently. On Monday is the first time we had heard that they may ask for a delay for an adjournment. And on a couple of days after that, they did file a letter asking for a two-month delay. So when they asked the judge, was it the first thing that they said in court? We want two month delay.
How did that come about? It was basically the judge saying, you know, what are the issues that we need to look at? What are the issues we need to iron out? And that's when the defense said that, you know, we need more time. But then the judge said that, you know, it was a very broad request and they do need to make it more specific and narrow it down.
When he denied the adjournment motion on Friday, he did say that it was too close to the trial. When the judge denied the request for the adjournment, what was the response from Diddy's side of the room? Once the judge has said the motion is denied, they just had to accept that. But then the judge was very clear. He was like, this is not a time for a fishing expedition. And he
Didi does have four attorneys. So between them, they should be able to work it out and be prepared in time for jury selection that starts on May 5th and opening statements which start on May the 12th. How was Diddy in the room? So Diddy appeared wearing, like, sort of light tan prison attire. And he was wearing slip-on shoes. He looked fairly relaxed, if a bit solemn.
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