The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on sex trafficking charges is scheduled to begin with his very first appearance before a new judge.
On September 16, the rapper was arrested on suspicions of racketeering and sex trafficking.
Robyn Tarnofsky, a US magistrate judge, ordered the singer’s detention pending his trial.
Tarnofsky issued his decision after the founder of Bad Boy Records pleaded not guilty to a 14-page federal complaint against him.
In addition, Diddy was accused of sexually abusing 120 other persons, including a 9-year-old boy.
The rapper will be transported from a Brooklyn jail to Manhattan federal court on Thursday in order to appear in person before presiding judge Arun Subramanian in the afternoon.
Diddy’s lawyers hope to begin the trial in April or May of next year, and it is anticipated that the hearing will result in deadlines being set for lawyers on both sides to file their case.
The trial’s potential date has not been specified by the prosecutors.
Following the recusal of another judge due to his prior relationships with the lawyers involved in the case, Subramanian was assigned to the case.
Diddy entered a not guilty plea to the allegations. Since his arrest, his attorneys have attempted to secure his release on bond.
Nevertheless, two judges found that releasing the rapper would put the community at danger.
At a bail hearing three weeks ago, a judge rejected a $50 million bail package, including home detention and electronic monitoring, after concluding that Diddy was a threat to tamper with witnesses and obstruct a continuing investigation.