NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 The sex trafficking trial of Sean 鈥淒iddy鈥 Combs will proceed as scheduled in early May despite his lawyer鈥檚 claims that they need an extra two months to prepare, a judge said Friday.
Judge Arun Subramanian said at a Manhattan federal court hearing that the hip-hop mogul鈥檚 trial, projected to last from eight to 10 weeks, will start May 5.
Lawyers for the entertainer had requested a two-month delay, citing a need for more time to gather information about trial witnesses and to cope with late additions to the indictment against their client.
But the judge, noting that Combs has at least four attorneys, said the defense has sufficient time to be ready for trial next month. He said he would not grant a delay and allow a 鈥渇ishing expedition鈥 to seek more evidence.
Combs, 55, who has been held without bail since his September arrest, turned toward the courtroom's spectators after the hearing so he could face his mother. He gave a thumbs-up toward her and two other supporters, including a man who wore a 鈥淔ree Puff鈥 sweatshirt. He has pleaded not guilty.
During Friday's hearing, Subramanian made rulings about evidence and how the trial will proceed.
Among his rulings, he said accusers who are called as witnesses by the government can testify under pseudonyms to protect their identities.
He also refused a defense request to toss out several charges in the indictment returned against Combs.
Prosecutors say Combs for two decades, using his as a music star to silence victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
They say the Bad Boy Records founder induced into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed 鈥淔reak Offs.鈥
Defense lawyers have said the government is mischaracterizing the relationship Combs had with former long-term girlfriends to criminalize consensual sexual conduct.
