P Diddy trial could last 'six to 12 weeks' as legal expert predicts timeline

Sean 'Diddy' Combs is currently languishing in a Brooklyn jail as he awaits trial on a series of charges - but how long is the trial expected to last?

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The trial of P Diddy is underway, with its duration hinging on several factors. The embattled rap tycoon, born Sean Combs, is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, awaiting trial for charges including racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution.

P Diddy has staunchly refuted all allegations against him, entering a plea of not guilty in court. A legal expert has spoken out to gauge the potential length of the trial, which began yesterday. Given the case's complexity and the multitude of charges and accusations levelled against him, it could take weeks, if not months, to reach a verdict.

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Jury selection is set to commence on May 5 in New York City, with a provisional start date of May 12 for the trial. Diddy was apprehended in September 2024 following raids on his Miami and Los Angeles residences by federal agents in March.

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He first faced accusations of rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse in a lawsuit lodged by ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2023, which was settled in court after just one day without any admission of guilt, reports the Mirror US.

She is expected to testify against him during the trial.

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Cassie's initial lawsuit paved the way for other alleged victims to step forward, resulting in dozens of civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault filed against the founder of Bad Boy Records since then, in addition to his substantial RICO charge. He has denied all claims in the civil lawsuits.

Participation in an organised illegal scheme such as sex or drug trafficking is deemed racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Statute, or RICO. Diddy is facing RICO charges for "multiple acts of kidnapping," arson, bribery, witness tampering, forced labour, sex trafficking, transportation for the purposes of prostitution and distribution of narcotics, according to indictment documents.

As for the duration of the trial, it could potentially extend over weeks, possibly even months. Criminal Defence Solicitor and legal expert Katie McCreath highlights that "this is a heavyweight federal prosecution - RICO, sex trafficking by coercion, and allegations spanning two decades," which may take longer to conclude.

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"Prosecutors must prove a pattern of criminal conduct within an enterprise, likely relying on multiple victims, digital evidence, and financial trails," she elaborates. "Trials of this nature often run six to twelve weeks, sometimes longer."

In terms of high-profile cases that capture public interest, it's difficult to predict. For instance, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's trial lasted seven weeks, while OJ Simpson's murder trial extended over nine months.

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Young Thug's RICO case lasted two years, marking one of the longest trials in Georgia's history.

There are also several factors that could delay or prolong the trial.

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For instance, in May 2024, CNN broadcasted surveillance footage from a hotel showing Diddy allegedly assaulting his former partner Cassie back in 2016. Diddy's legal team has since argued that the footage was manipulated by CNN, an accusation they have denied.

On Friday April 25, a judge ruled that the footage could be presented at trial.

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His solicitors filed a motion to exclude, requesting the judge to bar prosecutors from summoning alleged victims, not named in the indictment, to testify, including those who allege they were sexually assaulted by Diddy but are not the alleged victims identified in the indictment.

Furthermore, the jury selection process could potentially be prolonged as many potential jurors might be considered biased based on their views on sex and their willingness to view videos containing sexually explicit content.

The trial was tentatively scheduled to commence on May 12, 2025.

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