<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sean 'Diddy' Combs returned to federal court in New York City on Friday, pleading not guilty to the latest version of an indictment charging him with two decades of sex trafficking crimes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 55-year-old Combs, his beard noticeably grayer than even weeks ago, stood with his hands folded before him as he told Judge Arun Subramanian that he had read the indictment and understood the charges against him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Combs, who has been held without bail since his September arrest, hugged two of his lawyers as he entered the courtroom.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/measles-health-alerts-nsw-victoria-new-cases-fresh-warnings/3f863555-7d9b-4fb7-b7b6-e075cdfd2b2f"><strong><span>Fresh measles warnings could impact thousands in NSW and Victoria</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Subramanian told lawyers that questionnaires will be distributed to hundreds of prospective jurors at the end of April so that questioning of would-be jurors can begin on May 5, with opening statements expected to occur on May 12.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to the indictment, Combs used the "power and prestige" he wielded as a music mogul to intimidate, threaten and lure women into his orbit, often under the pretence of a romantic relationship.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The indictment said he then used force, threats and coercion to cause victims, including the three women, to engage in commercial sex acts.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/hiphop-artist-sean-diddy-combs-pleads-not-guilty-ahead-of-may-sex-trafficking-trial/7e1db7cb-519d-4d0f-9ebb-70136f2a82ca" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It said he subjected his victims to violence, threats of violence, threats of financial and reputational harm and verbal abuse.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"On multiple occasions, Combs threw both objects and people, as well as hit, dragged, choked and shoved others," it said. "On one occasion, Combs dangled a victim over an apartment balcony."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Defence lawyers have argued that prosecutors were trying to demonize sex acts between consenting adults.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Part of the discussion in court on Friday revolved around what will be allowed at the trial regarding a video that aired on CNN last year that showed Combs punching his former protege and girlfriend, the R&amp;B singer Cassie, and throwing her on the floor in a hotel hallway.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Assistant US Attorney Mitzi Steiner said the video was "critical to the case."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Defence attorney Marc Agnifilo said the video was "deceptive and not in accordance with the actions that took place."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said certain actions were speeded up in the video by as much as 50 per cent and others were taken out of order.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"From the defence standpoint, it's a misleading piece of evidence, a deceptive piece of evidence, a piece of evidence that has been changed," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Combs blew kisses and waved to family members in the gallery as he was led out of the courtroom by marshals.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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