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Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in a federal courthouse Thursday for a status conference hearing. The hip-hop star walked into the courtroom in a jail jumpsuit and immediate locked eyes with his family, smiling toward them, then later blew them kisses. Law&Crime’s Elizabeth Millner breaks down everything that unraveled inside the courtroom.

P Diddy pictured wearing prison jumpsuit for the first time in court sketches as trial date set

Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs has been in federal custody for three weeks following his arrest on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in New York on September 16

P Diddy

Sean “P Diddy” Combs appeared in court this week after being held in federal custody for the past three weeks.

The disgraced rapper was arrested on September 16 on multiple charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. Diddy made his first court appearance in prison clothes on Thursday, a stark contrast to his usual attire.

Courtroom sketch artists depicted the 54-year-old looking downcast in a baggy prison shirt during the pre-trial hearing to decide evidence to be used in the case. Despite the grim situation, Diddy managed a fleeting smile upon seeing his mother and children in the public gallery, who had come to show their support amid allegations from 120 women claiming abuse by the rapper.

As they entered the courthouse, Diddy’s family faced boos and jeers, with some in the crowd shouting to his mother Janice Combs, 84, with the harsh words: “Your son is a predator.”

In this courtroom sketch, Sean "Diddy" Combs
 
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The hearing also addressed accusations from Diddy’s defense team that the government had leaked the infamous Cassie Ventura video, which shows Combs assaulting a woman in a hotel before dragging them by their hair. The Daily Mail reports prosecutors dismissing these claims as “baseless” and denied the defense’s claims that the case against Diddy is racially motivated.

Diddy has consistently denied the allegations against him, maintaining his innocence throughout. However, following the hearing, Diddy was sent back to jail after being refused bail on a $50 million bond.

Having been denied bail, Diddy will stay in prison until his trial begins – which isn’t scheduled until May 5, 2025. Prosecutors predict that Diddy’s trial could last approximately three weeks, with a Manhattan jury determining his fate on numerous charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

In this courtroom sketch, Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, left, addresses the judge while Combs, seated second from right, in prison uniform, watches during a hearing in federal court in New York, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. Combs' new defense attorney, Anthony Ricco is seated far right. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)
 
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This implies he could be released by June next year or potentially spend the remainder of his life in prison. Given the severity of the crimes he’s accused of, if convicted of racketeering, trafficking, and transportation to engage in prosecution, Combs would serve a minimum of 15 years in prison and be released as a 69-year-old man.

Alternatively, if the judge imposes a harsher sentence, he could receive a life sentence. The rapper seems to be facing a tough time in prison, as it’s reported he’s having trouble settling into his new reality at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Diddy’s attorneys have said the music mogul’s most difficult adjustment is the food he’s getting. Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside court: “I think the food’s probably the roughest part of it.”