Judge Rejects Racial Bias Claim in Diddy Case

Judge Rejects Racial Bias Claim in Diddy Case \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A federal judge rejected Sean “Diddy” Combs’ claim that racial bias played a role in the prosecution’s racketeering and sex trafficking case against him. The ruling allows the trial to proceed as scheduled, with opening statements set for Monday. Combs faces multiple felony charges dating back to 2004.

Quick Looks

• Judge Arun Subramanian ruled Friday that race played no role in the prosecution of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
• Defense attorneys alleged the case was racially motivated; the judge found no evidence of discriminatory intent or effect.
• Opening statements are expected Monday following final jury selection in Manhattan federal court.
• Combs faces charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, kidnapping, bribery, and arson spanning 2004 to 2024.
• A judge also refused to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, saying severity of alleged crimes justifies the case.
• Prosecutors accuse Combs of running a criminal enterprise to abuse and exploit women for two decades.
• Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty and is currently held without bail in a Brooklyn federal facility.
• The court dismissed a juror who raised concerns about her well-being after viewing pretrial material.
• The case includes explicit video evidence, including a 2016 hotel assault captured on surveillance footage.
• If convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, and possibly life behind bars.

Deep Look

The high-profile criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs will move forward next week after a federal judge rejected defense claims that racial discrimination influenced the case. The ruling, issued Friday by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, comes just days before opening statements are set to begin in the Manhattan racketeering and sex trafficking case against the music mogul.

Combs, a Grammy-winning producer and one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, is accused of orchestrating a two-decade-long criminal enterprise involving sexual abuse, violence, and exploitation of women. He has denied all charges.

Defense lawyers had previously claimed that the charges were racially motivated, stating in court that “no white person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution.” But Subramanian rejected the argument outright, writing in his ruling that the “severity of what Combs allegedly did — not his race — that mattered.”

The judge further dismissed complaints about how law enforcement handled the investigation — including searches of Combs’ homes, government press releases, and the decision not to let him surrender voluntarily — stating those actions were consistent with how similar cases have been handled for defendants of all races.

“There’s no evidence that racial bias played a role in the government’s actions,” Subramanian said in his written opinion.

Trial to Begin Monday With Explicit Evidence

Opening statements are now scheduled for Monday, following the final selection of a 12-member jury and six alternates. The judge moved to delay final jury selection until that morning to prevent potential jurors from withdrawing after having the weekend to reflect on the intense nature of the case. One juror was already dismissed after sending an email expressing concern for her “well-being.”

Jurors were warned that the trial will include graphic and explicit content, including recordings of sexual activity and violent footage. A key piece of evidence is a 2016 surveillance video of Combs allegedly beating a longtime girlfriend in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. The video, first aired by CNN, prompted widespread condemnation and a public apology from Combs.

“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs said in a statement. “I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

Many potential jurors admitted to having seen the footage, and several were dismissed for expressing inability to remain impartial.

Prosecutors Outline Two Decades of Alleged Abuse

Federal prosecutors allege that from 2004 to 2024, Combs leveraged his celebrity status and wealth to sexually exploit and abuse women, organizing what the indictment describes as a racketeering operation under the guise of business. The allegations include:

• “Freak Offs”: Drug-fueled sex parties where women were allegedly forced to perform acts with male sex workers while Combs recorded.
• Acts of physical abuse including choking, beating, kicking, and dragging victims by their hair.
• One incident in which Combs allegedly dangled a person from a balcony.
• Alleged kidnapping, bribery, and illegal surveillance.

The defense insists that prosecutors are attempting to criminalize consensual adult behavior. While acknowledging Combs’ past substance abuse, his attorneys argue he has undergone treatment and that many accusations mischaracterize private acts.

They also claim that some key elements of the case — including the “Freak Offs” — are exaggerations or outright fabrications, and are asking the jury to evaluate each claim critically.

What’s at Stake

If convicted on all charges, Sean Combs faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment. His team’s efforts to have charges dismissed or evidence suppressed have now been officially rejected by the court.

The trial is expected to last approximately two months and will feature witness testimony, digital evidence, financial records, and video footage, all aimed at illustrating a pattern of organized criminal behavior.

Despite Combs’ global fame and influence, Judge Subramanian’s ruling underscores that the case will be decided solely on the evidence presented in court, not on race, celebrity, or public opinion.

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