The trial was scheduled by a US judge on Thursday at a federal court hearing in Manhattan. The 54-year-old musician, better known as Puff Daddy and P Diddy, gave his mother and kids hugs as he was being led into court.
On September 17, Combs entered a not guilty plea to a three-count indictment against him. The indictment accused Combs of utilizing his business empire, which included the record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport sex workers—both male and female—across state borders so they could participate in “freak offs,” or recorded sexual performances.
In the event that he is found guilty of the three charges against him—racketeering conspiracy.
During his third court appearance following his September arrest, Combs was informed that his trial would begin on May 5.
The prosecution will present its case in court for at least three weeks, prosecutor Emily Johnson informed the judge.
According to Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo, the defense will take about a week to complete.
Since his arrest, the hip-hop entrepreneur has been housed at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.
On Thursday, he showed up in court wearing a tan prison uniform before US Marshals Service agents took him out a side door.
On Thursday, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan dismissed his plea for an early release from custody while he challenges the decision of a different court to refuse him bail.
