The jury in P Diddy's sex trafficking trial will reportedly get to "hear new evidence".
P Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, is currently awaiting a federal trial after being arrested in September on counts of sex trafficking and racketeering. He was also charged on other offences including conspiracy, transportation and engaging in prostitution - all of which he has strongly denied.
After pleading not guilty at a court hearing last month, movements to start the trial against the star began on Thursday (October 31). The proceedings commenced with the convening of the grand jury, which took place on the first day, a source told the Mirror.
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Speaking to NBC News, attorney and lawyer Ariel Mitchell said that more evidence will be brought before the jury as part of the proceedings. She confirmed that one male individual that has been subpoenaed to testify is one of her clients.
She explained that the male will be testifying before the grand jury in the Southern District of New York City. It comes as the date for the federal trial against P Diddy was confirmed as starting on May 5, 2025.
Sean is currently being held in custody in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in the New York borough of Brooklyn as he awaits his chance to prove his innocence. His lawyers have appealed on two separate occasions for his bail from prison until the court case, which has been denied by two separate judges.
It comes as the number of allegations being lodged against the disgraced rapper continues to grow, thanks to Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee. Filing a number of separate lawsuits against the musician on Monday (October 28), Buzbee alleged that Sean had sexually assaulted two boys, the youngest of whom being 10 years old.
Attorney Buzbee had previously claimed he had contact with 120 different individuals who had sued or were planning to sue the singer. Responding to the claims made by Tony, P Diddy's attorney Erica Wolff said in a statement that her client continues to vehemently deny all allegations made against him.
"We cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," she explained. "That said, Mr Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors."
Erica concluded by saying that Sean was looking forward to "proving his innocence and vindicating himself", adding that the truth will be determined "based on evidence, not speculation." However, in a second statement given to American edition of the Mirror, his lawyers hit out at the claims being made against him.
"The press conference and 1-800 number that preceded today’s barrage of filings were clear attempts to garner publicity," they said. "Mr Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defences, and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone — adult or minor, man or woman."
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