Diddy scored a key legal win ahead of his upcoming trafficking trial, as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that prosecutors can present only one uncharged sexual assault allegation, rejecting testimony from three other alleged victims.
According to court reporter Meghan Cuniff, who reviewed documents from Friday’s decision, Diddy’s attorneys argued that several stories do not have the proof to back them up.
“These are entirely new, untested, uncorroborated, and uninvestigated allegations,” the mogul’s attorneys asserted, adding, “The government should not be permitted to pollute the trial with decades of dirt…by painting Mr. Combs as a bad guy who must have committed the charged crimes.”
Prosecutors pushed back against this, arguing that Diddy’s defense hinges on the belief that “every alleged coercive sex act was consensual.” They claimed this makes prior misconduct relevant.
“It proves that the defendant intended to take the sexual gratification he wanted, regardless of consent,” they stated.
Still, Judge Subramanian largely sided with the defense, limiting the government’s scope. Jury selection will begin on May 5th, with opening statements expected on May 12th.
