What we know about the case against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
The trial against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is kicking off. How strong is the case against him? Here’s what we know now.
A team of experienced lawyers is helping embattled hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs defend himself against sex crimes charges as his trial gets underway.
The latest lawyer to join Combs’ legal team is Nicole Westmoreland of Westmoreland Law LLC, who filed a notice of attorney appearance with the court on May 6.
Combs’ defense team was already led by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos. Agnifilo is a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater and, according to the firm’s website, has tried more than 200 cases in his 30-year career. He is a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney.
Geragos is also a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater and is “particularly experienced in defending and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct,” according to the firm’s website.
Who are Diddy’s lawyers?
Brian Steel, who represented Young Thug in the rapper’s RICO trial, is also working with Combs, as is Alexandra Shapiro.
According to her website, Shapiro is a trial lawyer who began her career as a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
On May 2, just a few days before Combs’ trial kicked off with jury selection, criminal defense lawyer Xavier R. Donaldson was also added to the rapper’s team.
Donaldson is a former assistant district attorney for the Bronx County DA’s office, per his LinkedIn profile.
Also working on Combs’ defense are Anna Maria Estevao, a partner at Sher Tremonte, and Jason Driscoll, who joined Shapiro Arato Bach in 2023.
In February, with the start of Combs’ trial looming, one of the rapper’s attorneys, Anthony Ricco, quit the case, telling a judge that this decision came after discussions with Agnifilo. “Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” Ricco said at the time.
Combs, the once-powerful rapper and producer, is in court facing sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty. The process of narrowing down a pool of prospective jurors began on May 5. Combs’ trial is expected to last around eight weeks. He could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
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