Sean 'Diddy' Combs is slated to appear before a New York City judge this afternoon for arraignment on charges of sex trafficking, following a superseding indictment that introduced an additional count of sex trafficking and another of transportation to engage in prostitution. As reported by ABC7 New York, Combs faces the possibility of added prison time if convicted on these now-five count indictment. The music mogul, known for his cultural influence and business acumen in the hip-hop industry, has consistently denied all allegations and pled not guilty to both previous indictments.

According to details shared by FOX 8, Combs' lawyers, ahead of the scheduled May 5 trial, have expressed a desire for prospective jurors to be questioned regarding their attitudes towards topics like sex, drugs, and violence. This includes assessing their willingness to view sexually explicit videos or physical assaults. An indictment against Combs accuses him of exploiting his status in the music industry to manipulate women into compromising situations, often with the guise of romance, subsequently using coercion or violence for them to perform commercial sex acts.

Prosecutors, on the other hand, have criticized the proposed juror questionnaire suggested by the defense as overly detailed and containing subject matter that should be addressed directly by the judge. They cited the sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell as an example of how a lengthy questionnaire can cause complications and lead to important disclosures being overlooked. Nevertheless, Judge Arun Subramanian has indicated that questionnaires will be distributed to jurors towards the end April, allowing for the vetting process to begin timely on the trial date.

The prosecution is poised to present a video allegedly showing Combs assaulting Cassie, a former protégé and girlfriend, which has been referenced as a key piece of evidence. In contesting the charges, defense lawyers have argued that the prosecution's narrative is inclined to “demonize sex acts between consenting adults.” They've requested that jurors disclose any exposure to negative media portrayals of Combs, including specific television shows that may have influenced their perception. Combs, who is 55, has been held without bail since his arrest in September and is scheduled for arraignment at 1 p.m, as reported by FOX 8.