Didi's trial when? What to know about his legal troubles

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, one of America's most successful rappers and music moguls, will soon face trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

At a hearing in Mr Coombs' presence on Thursday, a judge ruled that his trial would begin on May 5 next year.

Mr. Combs, wearing a beige prison uniform, sat next to his attorneys as the judge discussed imposing a gag order that would prevent attorneys or prosecutors from discussing the case publicly or with the media.

Members of Mr. Combs' family lined the courtroom. The rapper mouthed “I love you” to the group, which included his three daughters, three sons and his mother. He also repeatedly placed his hand on his heart and made a sign of prayer.

In addition to the criminal case, Mr. Combs is being sued by dozens of people who have accused him of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.

Mr Combs has pleaded not guilty in the criminal trial and the rapper's lawyers have repeatedly maintained his innocence, calling the allegations against him “false and defamatory”.

Here's a breakdown of his legal troubles.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian set the trial date for May and will be held in Manhattan.

Thursday was the rapper's third court appearance since his arrest.

Prosecutor Emily Johnson told the judge it would take three weeks for the government to present its case.

Defense attorney Mark Agnifilo said the rapper's team will have a week to prepare for them.

As the hearing ended, some of Mr. Combs' supporters lingered at the door, hoping to see the rapper on tiptoe as he was ushered away.

The rapper faces criminal charges in federal court. He also faced multiple lawsuits from people who accused him of harming and exploiting them.

In the federal criminal case, Mr. Combs is accused of abducting, drugging and coercing the women into sexual activity, sometimes using firearms or threatening them with violence.

In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies they said were intended for use in the organ known as “freak offs,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil.

Separately, Mr. Combs faces several lawsuits against him alleging rape and assault.

Tony Buzbee, a Texas lawyer handling some of these cases, said more than 100 women and men across the United States have either filed lawsuits or will soon sue the rap mogul.

Some alleged that the attacks took place when they were minors, including as young as nine, Mr Buzby said.

Mr Combs' current legal troubles began when his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, sued him in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her.

The settlement was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after Mr. Combs filed the lawsuit, maintaining his innocence.

In the following weeks, several women filed lawsuits against Mr. Combs alleging sexual assault, the allegations dating back to 1991. One of them alleged that she was “sex trafficked” and “gang-raped” by the rapper and two others when she was 17.

Mr Combs responded to the flurry of lawsuits in a statement on his Instagram page in December, writing: “Enough is enough.”

“I did not do anything horrible as alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and the truth,” he said.

Nine months later, he was arrested and sentenced.

Mr. Combs held Metropolitan Detention Centre Since his arrest on September 16 in Brooklyn, New York.

His lawyers argued for his release pending trial, citing “horrendous” prison conditions.

A federal judge in New York rejected their bail application, arguing that Mr Combs was a “serious flight risk”.

His lawyers on Wednesday asked the court to throw out a video from 2016, which shows Mr. Combs kicking his ex-girlfriend Casey Ventura as she lay on the floor of a hotel hallway.

They argued that the government was responsible for leaking the video to CNN, and that it led to “damaging, highly prejudicial pretrial publicity that could only taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial”.

Government lawyers have denied leaking the video to the media, saying it was not in the government's possession before it aired in May.

When the video first emerged, Mr Combs posted an apology, saying: “I was offended when I did it.”

His lawyers are still fighting to get the rapper out on bail. On Tuesday, they filed an appeal arguing that Mr. Combs had agreed to “restricted conditions” for his possible release from prison that would prevent him from escaping.

“Mr. Combs is presumed innocent. He traveled to New York to surrender because he knew he would be indicted,” his lawyers said in a court filing.

“He took extraordinary steps to demonstrate that he wanted to face and contest the charges, not escape.”

Lawyers have also argued that everyone involved in the so-called “freak off” was a consenting adult.

yes

Mr. Combs faces up to life in prison if convicted of the racketeering charge. He also faces a statutory minimum of 15 years in prison on the sex trafficking charge.

All federal cases in the United States are open to the public, except in rare circumstances when the trial involves sensitive information related to national security.

To date, all of Mr. Combs' court proceedings are open to the media and public.

However, none of his appearances were streamed live. Most federal courts do not allow cameras or electronics in courtrooms.

Sketch artists usually attend these hearings to draw moments from court for the media and public.

It is unclear whether Mr Combs will face further criminal charges.

Prosecutors, however, said the investigation remains “active and ongoing” and encouraged potential victims to reach out to authorities.

BBC correspondent Emma Vardy contributed reporting to this story.