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Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is gearing up for a major court battle after officially rejecting a plea deal offered by federal prosecutors. During a May 1 court appearance in Manhattan, the 55-year-old confirmed he turned down the written offer, fully aware that going to trial could mean facing a harsher sentence if convicted.
Diddy arrived at the hearing in a tan jail jumpsuit but appeared in good spirits, chatting with his defense lawyers Teny Geragos and Brian Steel. He has pleaded not guilty to five serious federal charges, including sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering.
The upcoming trial is set to begin with jury selection on May 5. The court has allowed Diddy to dress in business attire during the proceedings, though he must avoid shoelaces for security reasons.
Though the details of the plea offer remain confidential, experts say these deals often reflect expected sentencing and help reduce appeals based on ineffective counsel. By rejecting it, Diddy is clearly choosing to fight the charges head-on.
As the nation watches closely, this trial could have a lasting impact on the legacy of one of music’s most influential figures. Stay tuned as the case unfolds.