Judge Denies Diddy Trial Delay; Video Evidence Disputed

A federal judge in New York, Arun Subramanian, has denied Sean 'Diddy' Combs' request for a two-month delay of his sex trafficking and racketeering trial, keeping jury selection set for May 5. The judge ruled that Combs' legal team had enough time to prepare, despite new charges added earlier in April and the defense's concerns about late evidence. Combs has pleaded not guilty to five federal charges, including sex trafficking and transporting individuals for prostitution, with prosecutors alleging he abused women via his business empire over two decades. Prosecutors claim some victims were drugged and coerced into 'freak offs,' while Combs' lawyers argue all sexual activity was consensual. Key evidence includes a contested surveillance video that allegedly shows Combs assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura; the defense claims the video was altered, which CNN denies. Several alleged victims are expected to testify at trial, some using pseudonyms, and Combs remains in federal custody since his September 2024 arrest.