Diddy has confirmed last week’s reports that he rejected a plea deal from prosecutors ahead of his upcoming criminal trial.
The embattled mogul appeared in court on Thursday (May 1), where TMZ reports he was “smiling and in good spirits,” despite also looking “gray and thin.” In addition to waving to the people seated in the gallery, Puff also was seen happily chatting with his legal team and “seemed unfazed” about what’s on the line.
When the judge asked him if indeed did reject the plea deal as reported, Diddy replied, “Yes, I did,” while also acknowledging he understands this could lead to more time if he’s found guilty.
This will be the last hearing before the trial begins, with jury selection starting at 8a on Monday (May 5). It is expected to take three days.
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As previously reported, Diddy claimed that he is simply a swinger and not a sex criminal as he opted to reject the plea deal from prosecutors last week.
His lawyer Marc Agnifilo said: “There’s a lifestyle, call it swingers or whatever you will, that he thought was appropriate because it was common. Many people think it’s appropriate because it’s common.”
Prosecutors also lobbied the judge to allow them to use the testimony of an alleged victim who claims they underwent a “medical procedure” that has a connection to the sex trafficking allegations.
Prosecutors did not reveal the nature of the procedure and the judge has not yet ruled on whether their testimony will be allowed.
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The judge was also asked by prosecutors to allow a sex tape involving Diddy to be used as evidence in the trial but that the video not be shown to the public to due its “extremely sensitive” nature.
Diddy also took a big loss in the hearing as the judge ruled that the prosecution can use the security footage of the mogul assaulting Cassie in a hotel corridor as evidence.
He and his team had been attempting to cast doubt on the authenticity of the video even though the rapper and producer previously apologized for this conduct in the clip.
