Diddy recap: Rapper seen in prison clothes in new court sketches with his doting mom Janice lurking in the background

A judge has offered Diddy a May 5, 2025 trial date at the request of his high-powered legal team.

His attorneys filed a motion on Wednesday requesting a trial for either April or May.

Prosecutors said they estimate their case will take about three weeks, while Combs’ lawyers say they’ll need about a week to make their case.

Combs will remain behind bars following his latest pretrial hearing on Thursday.

He is facing a life sentence if he is convicted of all charges: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prosecution.

The minimum possible term if convicted of all three offenses is 15 years behind bars, meaning he would be 69 at the time of his release.

In a court filing on Wednesday night, Agnifilo asked Subramanian to impose a ‘gag order’ prohibiting prosecutors and federal agents from disclosing evidence to the media.

Daily Mail’s explosive podcast, The Trial, is back with another series dedicated to the downfall of Diddy.

The podcast explores the historic allegations against rapper Sean Combs, and all of the new claims against him.

Listen for in-depth coverage of the story before and during the explosive May 2025 trial.

Prior to his ‘Freak Offs’ – where a bulk of the allegations against Diddy are said to have occurred – the rapper was famed for his Hamptons ‘White Parties.’

These parties were attended by Hollywood’s elite.

Now, they’re under more scrutiny than ever as commentators comb through Diddy’s past for clues into his alleged offending.

Rapper 50 Cent has made no secret of how much he dislikes Diddy over the years.

Now, in the midst of Diddy’s monumental downfall as he’s charged with a host of sex trafficking and racketeering offenses, 50 Cent has capitalized on their public feud by revealing he’s working on a Netflix docuseries which promises to tell all.

Read all about their long standing feud

Combs is facing a life sentence if he is convicted of all charges: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prosecution.

The minimum possible term if convicted of all three offenses is 15 years behind bars, meaning he would be 69 at the time of his release.

While the rapper’s children were tight lipped outside of court on Thursday, four of them posted a joint statement on Instagram last month.

Christian, 26, twins Jessie, and D’Lila, both 17, and Porter’s eldest son Quincy, 33, who Diddy adopted, defended their father and asked for speculation surrounding their mother’s death to stop.

Porter – who was an American model – passed away of lobar pneumonia after several days of ‘flu-like symptoms’ at the age of 47 in November 2018.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ attorneys said that the worst part of his life in prison on sex trafficking charges is the food.

The rapper, 54, has spent three weeks behind bars after his initial two requests for bail were denied and will remain there after he was scheduled for a May 2025 trail.

When asked what was the toughest adjustment for the music mogul, Marc Agnifilo told People it was the cuisine.

“I think the food’s probably the roughest part of it,” he said.

The Metropolitan Detention Center typically serves hamburgers, baked fish or beef tacos for lunch during the week, with scrambled eggs and biscuits on the weekends.

For dinner, they offer chicken fajitas, pasta and roast beef, as well as healthy and vegeterian meals.

Diddy’s defense in the current criminal case against him will be that the sexual encounters were consensual, sparking questions about how he will pivot if minors are added to the complaint.

Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee is representing 25 people who he believes have legitimate claims against the rapper from when they were minors.

If any of these claimants are added to the criminal case, Diddy’s defense could ask for significantly more time until trial.

Diddy’s high profile relationships have been back in the spotlight amid suggestions his long-term ex, Cassie Ventura, could become a star witness for the prosecution.

In a court filing on Wednesday night, Agnifilo asked Subramanian to impose a ‘gag order’ prohibiting prosecutors and federal agents from disclosing evidence to the media.

Agnifilo cited what he called unlawful leaks that included a videotape showing Combs striking and dragging a woman in 2016.

At the hearing, Johnson called the defense request an attempt to ‘exclude a damning piece of evidence.’

She said prosecutors would have no problem affirming their obligations not to disclose confidential evidence to the press, but said the defense should be bound by that as well.

Johnson also raised concerns about Agnifilo’s statement in a September interview with entertainment news outlet TMZ calling the case a ‘takedown of a successful Black man.’

She said the comment amounted to an accusation that the government was “engaging in a racist prosecution.”

‘Statements of this sort seriously risk a fair trial in this case,’ Johnson said.

Subramanian asked Agnifilo to propose an order that would govern public statements by both sides.

Diddy’s scheduled trial date coincides with New York’s famed Met Gala.

The music mogul used to be a mainstay at fashion’s night of nights, but when next year’s event rolls around, he’ll be fighting for his reputation – and freedom – in the federal court.

Pictured: Diddy at the 2023 Met Gala

Pictured: Diddy and Cassie Ventura at the 2017 Met Gala

There have been concerns and rumors since Diddy’s arrest that more high-profile names could soon be caught up in the scandal.

Diddy had a long list of celebrity friends for decades, most of whom have since attempted to distance themselves from the embattled rapper.

Now, there are concerns a superseding indictment could bring ‘powerful hotel execs and bankers’, among others, undone.

Diddy lit up at the sight of his mother and children in the courtroom on Thursday.

He was seen waving and blowing kisses at them as they left the room, when it became apparent Diddy would remain behind bars.

Sketches from inside the courtroom on Thursday reveal Diddy’s mom Janice left her sunglasses on even throughout the hearing.

She was also wearing the shades as she made her way through the crowd that had gathered outside the courtroom.

Photographers are not allowed inside the federal court room in New York, meaning official sketches offer the wider public the only visual insight into what took place.

Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, has indicated there is a strong chance Diddy’s May 5 trial won’t go ahead as scheduled.

During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecutors indicated there could still be a ‘superseding indictment.’

Such an indictment would effectively overrule and replace the current indictment, adding additional charges, defendents or information.

The revelation indicates more trouble could soon come Diddy’s way, and spells trouble for his plan to have his trial dealt with promptly.

Rahmani told Law&Crime Network that May 5 trial date announced on Thursday would be unlikely in the case of a superseding indictment being filed – especially if it involves minors.

‘Minors present a completely different set of circumstances,’ he said.

‘We know through his lawyers, Combs is arguing that the sexual activity happened, but it was consensual. Of course for sex trafficking you need one of those elements: force, thought or coercion.

‘Obviously, minors cannot consent to any sexual activity, so that would be a very different defense entirely.

‘The defense would have to be the activity didn’t happen at all and that the indivdiauls are lying, so that’s going to be a potential game changer, if we get minors wrapped up in the potential superseding indictment.’

Rahmani referenced civil attorney Tony Buzbee, who has repeatedly said he has 120 clients making claims against Diddy – 25 of whom say they were minors at the time of the alleged offences.

A heckler lashed out at Diddy’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo as he made his way from court on Thursday.

‘Your client is a monster and a predator,’ the man shouted as Agnifilo walked away.

‘We’re gonna keep our foot on his neck. He’s never getting our of prison. Tell him Gilmore said that.’

Prosecutors were incensed by comments made by Diddy’s lawyer which suggested they were engaging in a ‘racist prosecution.’

Inside the courtroom, the prosecution quoted Marc Agnifilo, who recently said the governments’ case is ‘a takedown of a successful black man.’

They said: ‘He baselessly accused the government of engaging in a racist prosecution.’

Combs will remain behind bars following his latest pretrial hearing on Thursday.

The revelation comes just two days after the embattled rapper’s legal team launched a third bid for freedom.

Diddy’s team said in the bail application their client is not a flight risk, despite what prosecutors have previously argued.

They also claimed Diddy has proven he is keen to comply by surrendering his passport, selling his private jet and offering up his $48 million home to secure bail.

Diddy’s appeal will be considered by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and is considered a last-ditch attempt at freedom, unless there are major developments in the case.

A lawyer for the government has slammed ‘baseless’ allegations they leaked the video of Cassie Ventura getting kicked on the ground.

The extraordinary footage was first aired by CNN in May 2024, months after Combs settled a lawsuit with his ex-girlfriend.

In a statement to the judge on Thursday afternoon, the government said: ‘We have concerns about Mr Agnifilo’s statement.

‘He baselessly accused the government of engaging in a racist prosecution.’

The judge has offered Diddy a May 5, 2025 trial date at the request of his high-powered legal team.

His attorneys filed a motion on Wednesday requesting a trial for either April or May.

Prosecutors said they estimate their case will take about three weeks, while Combs’ lawyers say they’ll need about a week to make their case.

Combs appeared in the courtroom for his pre-trial hearing on Thursday wearing distinctive prison clothing.

Reporters inside the room said the rapper ‘came in through a side holding cell door, he’s wearing jail pants, he’s wearing a t-shirt.

‘He was seen smiling, hugging his lawyers.’

The embattled rapper saw his family inside the courtroom waiting for him, and waved in their direction.

Jessie James and D’Lila Star made their way into the courthouse just minutes before the hearing was due to begin.

The girls kept silent as they were asked whether they had ‘any comment’ about their father’s hearing.

While hecklers targeted their grandmother, Jessie and D’Lila were met with warmth as the crowds warned their guardian to ‘take care of those girls’ and told the duo to ‘stick together.’

Pictured: Justin Combs, Chance Combs, Jessie James Combs, D’Lila Star Combs [Credit: Curtis Means for DailyMail.com]

Pictured: Justin Combs, Chance Combs, Jessie James Combs, D’Lila Star Combs and King Combs [Credit: Curtis Means for DailyMail.com]

Los Angeles-based attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing some of Combs’ accusers, arrived at the courthouse on Thursday telling reporters ‘this is the path for justice.’

‘For any victim knowing the person they allege abused them… to know he is rich and powerful and famous, that he is the one recognizable by the world and could use his celebrity power in some way, they worry,’ she said.

Barricades have been put in place to keep crowds at bay as onlookers gather out the front of the courthouse on Thursday.

Police are also lining the entrance of the court and are positioned around the barricade.

Janice Combs was heckled as she arrived in court to support her son on Thursday afternoon.

The 84-year-old looked somber in oversized sunglasses, clutching onto a supporter’s arm as she made her way into the courthouse from a tinted black car about 1pm.

‘Janice, your son is a predator,’ a man shouted.

‘Your son is a predator and he deserves to be locked up.’

Her car was swarmed by reporters who were eager to know how both she and her son are holding up amid the ongoing allegations.

Janice kept her head down as she pushed through the crowd. While she remained tight-lipped on Thursday, the Combs matriarch broke her silence about the allegations just days ago when she slammed the ‘public lynching’ of her son.

‘These lies thrown at him are motivated by those seeking a financial gain, and not justice,’ Janice said.

‘These individuals saw how quickly my son’s civil legal team settled his ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit, so they believe they can receive a quick payday by falsely accusing my son.’

‘It is important to recognize that none of us, regardless of our status, are immune to fear or mistakes. Not being entirely straightforward about one issue does not mean my son is guilty of the repulsive allegations and the grave charges leveled against him.

‘The worst part of this ordeal is watching my beloved son be stripped of his dignity, not for what he did, but for what people choose to believe about him,’ she said.

Janice said that ‘like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.’

An interview from 1999 came back to haunt Diddy after his arrest.

In the resurfaced footage, the music mogul boasted: ‘You’re gonna hear about my parties.’

‘They’re gonna be shutting them down. They’re gonna probably be arresting me, doing all types of crazy things just ’cause we wanna have a good time.’

In her own words, Janice Combs, 84, reveals what she wants the public to know about her embattled son.

‘I come to you today as a mother that is devastated and profoundly saddened by the allegations made against my son, Sean Combs.

‘It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies.

‘To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words.

‘Sometimes, the truth and a lie become so closely intertwined that it becomes terrifying to admit one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or is too complicated to be believed.

‘This is why I believe my son’s civil legal team opted to settle the ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit instead of contesting it until the end, resulting in a ricochet effect as the federal government used this decision against my son by interpreting it as an admission of guilt.

‘The worst part of this ordeal is watching my beloved son be stripped of his dignity, not for what he did, but for what people choose to believe about him.’

Diddy’s legal woes began on November 16, 2023, when Cassie filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing Combs of plying her with drdugs, forcing her to have sex with other men and ultimately raping her when she attempted to end their relationship in 2018.

The rapper issued a swift denial, but just one day later, the duo reached a settlement.

By November 23, two more women have come forward to accuse Combs of abuse.

As the months dragged on, more allegations came out, culminating in a March 2024 raid on two of Diddy’s homes – one in Los Angeles and another in Miami.

A source has revealed Diddy’s reputation continues to evoke fear among many in the industry, reflecting the enduring reach of his influence.

‘He’s so powerful. Everyone was afraid to cross him,’ the insider claimed. ‘Even though he’s behind bars now, he’s still so powerful. We all knew it even back then.’

The source added: ‘He’s incredibly smart, he knows a lot of people, and he’s helped a lot of people — so a lot of people owe him. He knows that.’

The rapper, 54, has ‘asserted his right to a speedy trial’ in a filing seen by DailyMail.com to the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday.

He intends to request a trial date for April or May 2025, the filing states.

Prosecutors told Judge Arun Subramanian they’d be prepared and available for a trial whenever the court chooses to set a date.

Diddy has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest.

The area reportedly has the capacity for 18 to 20 inmates and is generally reserved for high profile people or those cooperating with authorities.

Bankman-Fried was found guilty of fraud in late 2023 and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Diddy will appear in court on Thursday. He will be transferred from the Brooklyn detention center across to the courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

A rapper who once worked with Diddy told DailyMail.com that the music mogul may have bought the silence of his A-list friends by handing them back the lucrative rights to their music records in exchange for NDAs.

A month before Diddy was hit with a scathing lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend Cassie that ultimately resulted in criminal charges, Diddy surprised the music industry by giving back publishing rights under his Bad Boy label to a host of artists under his control.

While the decision was praised at the time, rapper Mark Curry suspects Diddy’s generosity hid an ulterior motive.

Tony Buzbee revealed major celebrities are scrambling amid concerns they could soon face serious allegations themselves.

‘We want to make sure if we name individuals beyond Mr Combs that we have done our homework because it is going to create a firestorm, and we understand that,’ he said.

‘If you were there in the room, participated, watched it happen and didn’t say anything or helped cover it up, in my view, you have a problem.’

Buzbee has vowed to pursue the cases against any offender ‘aggressively’, and said the scope was broad.

Diddy has already twice requested – and twice been denied – his freedom.

Thursday afternoon will mark his third attempt to be granted bail.

His legal team insist their client is not a flight risk, despite prosecutors’ concerns.

Read more about what surety Diddy is offering in an effort to be granted bail on Thursday.

One of Diddy’s victims said the rapper was fueled by drugs from his ‘medicine bag’ during his infamous parties and described him as ‘animalistic’ when he was using.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, the victim revealed Diddy would binge drugs from a stash known as his ‘medicine bag’ during parties.

‘There was one time when he came down from his room and I was shocked because he looked animalistic. Didn’t even recognize him,’ the victim said.

‘His veins were popping and his body was contorting in a way that was frightening. It just scared me.’

A resurfaced video of Diddy, 54, and Justin Bieber, now 30, hugging has sparked speculation that Diddy was checking to see if the pop star was wearing a wire.

In the clip, believed to be filmed in 2021 when Justin was 27, the pair are seen hugging with Diddy giving Justin multiple pats on the back and chest.

The video was shared on X by a user who wrote: ‘Diddy appears to be checking Justin Bieber to see if he is wearing a wire in this video.’

Diddy’s lawyers have filed a motion for an evidentiary hearing, accusing the government of leaking sensitive information from the case.

Concerns have been raised about how surveillance footage of Diddy beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel was made public.

Diddy’s attorney said: ‘A series of unlawful government leaks, which have led to damaging, highly prejudicial pre-trial publicity that can only taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.’

Cassie could still be called to testify as a star witness during the upcoming trial, despite allegedly signing a non disclosure agreement.

The singer settled a suit with Diddy back in November 2023, but her bravery in coming forward is widely considered a catalyst in further investigations into Diddy’s behavior.

In her lawsuit, Cassie claimed that Diddy brutally beat and sexually abused her for over a decade throughout their tumultuous relationship.

Diddy is seeking access to a mountain of data the prosecution has seized since they raided his Miami and Los Angeles homes in March 2024.

In all, prosecutors are copying more than 40 electronic devices belonging to the star.

‘Discovery in this case is voluminous, totaling several terabytes of electronic material,’ the government argued in the latest filing.

There are 1,000 gigabytes per terabyte of data, meaning the government is currently sifting through thousands of gigabytes worth of potentially crucial information.

This includes cellphones, laptops, tablets, hard drives, cloud accounts from both Diddy and third parties.

Additionally, prosecutors are scouring business records from financial institutions, phone companies, hotels and airlines as they build their case.