Hip-hop artist Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleads not guilty ahead of May sex trafficking trial

Sean "Diddy" Combs appeared again in federal court in New York City on Friday, pleading not guilty to the latest version of the indictment. The indictment accuses him of engaging in sex trafficking crimes for two decades.

Combs, 55, whose beard was noticeably grayer than it had been weeks before, stood before Judge Arun Subramanian with his hands clasped, stating that he had read the indictment and understood the charges against him. Combs, who has been in custody since his arrest in September, embraced his two lawyers as he entered the courtroom.

Judge Subramanian informed the attorneys that questionnaires would be distributed to hundreds of potential jurors in late April to facilitate the questioning of potential jurors beginning on May 5. Opening statements are expected to take place on May 12.

According to the indictment, Combs used his "power and prestige" as a music mogul to intimidate, threaten, and lure women into his circle, often under the guise of romantic relationships. The indictment alleges that he then used force, threats, and coercion to force victims, including three women, to engage in commercial sex acts. He also subjected victims to violence, threats of violence, threats of economic and reputational harm, and verbal abuse.

The indictment stated: "On numerous occasions, Combs threw objects and people, and punched, dragged, choked, and pushed others. On one occasion, Combs dangled a victim off an apartment balcony." Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors were attempting to demonize consensual sexual conduct.

Part of Friday's hearing revolved around a video aired by CNN last year showing Combs assaulting his former protégé and girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, and throwing her to the floor in a hotel hallway. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitz Steiner said the video was "critical to the case."

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said the video was "deceptive and not consistent with what actually happened." He said that certain actions in the video were sped up by as much as 50%, and others were reversed in order. "From the defense's perspective, this is a misleading piece of evidence, a deceptive piece of evidence, a doctored piece of evidence," he said.

Combs blew kisses and waved to family members in the gallery as he was led out of the courtroom by marshals.