Diddy turns down plea deal in court, judge rules on jury selection before trial: Live updates

NEW YORK — Sean "Diddy" Combs officially turned down a potential plea deal in front of a judge in court at the final hearing before his highly anticipated federal sex-crimes trial.

Over the last month, Combs has appeared in court a handful of times as federal prosecutors and the disgraced hip-hop mogul's attorneys have ironed out the kinks of what is already shaping up to be one of the most closely followed celebrity trials in recent memory. With most of the legal housekeeping out of the way, both parties met with Judge Arun Subramanian on May 1 at a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan for one last pretrial conference, days before Combs' trial kicks off May 5.

The rapper was arrested in September and subsequently charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts.

Here's everything that happened in court:

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Diddy in court: Glasses and a good mood 

In court, the music magnate was in good spirits.  

Combs grinned and hugged his team, waving to the gallery at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse when he walked in. He spoke animatedly with his hands, and donned wide-rimmed black glasses while he was reading documents at the defense table.  

At one point, he bowed his head and scrawled on a flashcard propped on his lap, his large crown tattoo visible on his neck above his tan prison garb. –Patrick Ryan 

Judge says Sean 'Diddy' Combs can wear court-approved clothes during sex-crimes trial

Diddy turns down plea offer in court, judge confirms 

Questions arose at an earlier pretrial hearing about whether Diddy rejected a plea deal proposed by federal prosecutors. A week later, Subramanian received answers.

During questioning by the judge, Combs had the option to sit down after he stood up, to which he replied, "I'm good." The judge asked whether he had drugs or alcohol in the last 24 hours, to which Combs responded: "No, your honor."

Subramanian asked if Combs' mind was "clear today" and Combs responded, "Yes, your honor." The judge also asked whether Combs had discussed the plea offer with his team and Combs confirmed he did, before the judge clarified whether he rejected this plea deal, to which Combs said, "Yes, I do, your honor, thank you." –Patrick Ryan 

Lisa Bloom questions emerge 

One of Combs' attorneys raised an issue with lawyer Lisa Bloom, the women's rights attorney and daughter of Gloria Allred, regarding her comments in a BBC documentary.

Combs' legal team called Bloom's behavior "deeply disturbing" multiple times, arguing that she is using the doc to "bolster her client’s credibility." Combs' team added that they have "done everything we can" to speak to Bloom respectfully.

When Subramanian questioned Combs' lawyer about whether Bloom had violated any rules of professional conduct, Combs' attorney said she wouldn't go as far as to say that. The judge then reminded both legal camps about the rules surrounding professional conduct, including that the court won't tolerate violations, and reminded everyone of Combs' right to a fair trial. –Patrick Ryan 

How jury selection questionnaire will go 

Federal prosecutors and Combs' lawyers reached an agreement where potential jurors will be brought into the courtroom one by one, and they'll be questioned one at a time. Members of the press are allowed to be present for that, but both sides agreed that if any particularly sensitive questions arise and the prospective juror is uncomfortable, the jury candidate can participate in a sidebar in a separate room.

Although Subramanian worried that the jury selection process would take a significant amount of time, since lawyers hope to question as many as 150 potential jurors and each questionnaire would take 20-30 minutes, federal prosecutors believe they can make it work. Prosecutors say they won't need to see all 150 potential jurors if they are able to narrow it down to 45 qualified jurors quickly. –Patrick Ryan 

Jury selection begins Monday

The May 1 hearing primarily discussed jury selection, which begins Monday, May 5.

Prosecutors and Combs' defense team plan to go through 50 jurors a day and narrow it down until they get to 45 qualified jurors. Combs' attorneys ensured that he would be present for the sequestered jury proceedings to uphold his right to participate in his own trial.

Jury selection in the Combs case is set to begin at 8 a.m. and the goal is to get to 45 jurors in three days so that both the prosecution and defense have May 8 and 9 to further prepare for opening statements on May 12. –Patrick Ryan

When does the Diddy trial start?

Combs' trial begins May 5 with jury selection, and opening statements are set to start May 12.

How can I watch Diddy's trial?

The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.

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What charges does Diddy face?

Diddy is charged with two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and one count of racketeering.

Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors claim they have video of.

Combs' charges echo some of the allegations in the more than 70 civil lawsuits filed against the Bad Boy Records founder. The claims of sexual abuse, drugging and physical assault span three decades, and include a lawsuit filed (and quickly settled) by his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie, in November 2023, through to the most recent suit in April 2025.

What was Diddy's plea deal?

During an April 25 pretrial conference, a prosecutor said Combs rejected a plea deal. The attorney did not share the terms of the plea offer, but indicated she wants Subramanian to confirm with Combs directly that his lawyers told him about the offer and that he made the decision to turn it down.

Subramanian indicated he will directly question Combs about the deal at the May 1 hearing.

Is Diddy in jail right now?

Despite repeated attempts at bail, Combs was ordered to remain in custody at the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center ahead of trial — a ruling his legal team has challenged in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024.

The center is the same facility that holds alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangioneand disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.