Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs faces mounting legal pressure as his high-profile sex trafficking case heads to trial.

According to Breitbart News, Manhattan federal court Judge Arun Subramanian rejected Combs's attorneys' request for a two-month trial delay, ensuring the proceedings will begin as scheduled on May 5.

The 55-year-old Bad Boy Records founder, who has remained in custody since his September arrest, sought additional preparation time through his legal team.

His lawyers argued they needed to gather more information about trial witnesses and address recent additions to the indictment.

Judge Subramanian dismissed these arguments, noting that Combs's defense team of at least four attorneys had sufficient resources to prepare for the anticipated eight to ten-week trial.

Defense Strategy Faces Significant Legal Hurdles

During Friday's hearing, Judge Subramanian made several crucial procedural decisions that will shape the upcoming trial. Government witnesses who come forward as accusers will be permitted to testify under pseudonyms to protect their identities.

The judge also denied defense motions to dismiss multiple charges in the indictment, dealing another blow to Combs's legal strategy.

The prosecution has built a case alleging that Combs leveraged his status as a music industry powerhouse to perpetrate a two-decade campaign of abuse and coercion against women. Investigators claim the entertainment mogul used threats, violence, and blackmail to maintain control over his victims.

Prosecutors have detailed disturbing allegations about events they termed "Freak Offs," where female victims were allegedly drugged and forced to participate in orchestrated sexual performances with male sex workers.

Mother Shows Support as Legal Battle Intensifies

Despite his current circumstances, Combs maintained a composed demeanor during the court proceedings. After the hearing concluded, he turned toward the spectator section to acknowledge his mother and two supporters, one of whom wore a "Free Puff" sweatshirt. The brief interaction showcased a rare moment of connection between the detained music executive and his family.

The defense team has pushed back against the government's characterization of events, suggesting prosecutors have misconstrued consensual relationships between Combs and former long-term girlfriends. Their arguments, however, failed to convince Judge Subramanian to grant additional preparation time.

The judge responded directly to the defense team's request for a delay, rejecting it by calling their effort to gather additional evidence a "fishing expedition." His decision highlighted the court's intention to keep the trial on track and avoid unnecessary postponements.

Case Summary and Next Steps

Sean "Diddy" Combs, a prominent figure in the music industry, remains in detention as he awaits the start of his federal sex trafficking trial on May 5. The case centers on allegations of systematic abuse, coercion, and exploitation spanning two decades, with prosecutors presenting evidence of organized sexual exploitation events and various forms of intimidation.

The trial, expected to last between eight and ten weeks, will proceed with multiple accusers testifying under protected identities while Combs's defense team argues against claims they say misrepresent consensual relationships.

With Judge Subramanian's recent rulings maintaining the original timeline and preserving key evidence, the stage is set for one of the music industry's most significant criminal proceedings in recent history.