Sean ¡®Diddy¡¯ Combs rolls the dice by rejecting plea deal in high-stakes trafficking trial

Sean "Diddy" Combs is not taking the easy way out ¨C or any way out, for that matter. In a jaw-dropping move that has everyone talking, the disgraced music mogul has rejected a plea deal in his explosive federal trafficking and racketeering case. Translation: Diddy is taking his chances with a jury. Bold? Maybe. Risky? Extremely.

Diddy offered a deal?

Federal prosecutor Madison Smyser dropped the bombshell during a pre-trial hearing in New York this Friday, casually revealing that Diddy had been offered a deal ¡ª and he flat-out said no. Details of what the plea would have looked like are still under wraps, but insiders are already calling it a ¡°high-stakes bet¡± for the rapper who has pleaded not guilty to all five federal charges.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs | Credit: X

A video of Diddy physically assaulting his then-girlfriend

And just when you thought things could not get any messier, the judge in the case, Arun Subramanian, officially ruled that the now-infamous 2016 hotel surveillance video ¡ª showing Diddy physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura ¡ª will be played for the jury. Diddy's team fought hard to bury the footage, claiming it had been ¡°altered,¡± but the judge was clearly not buying it.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs | Credit: X

Diddy owned up to his action

Earlier, Diddy had gone on public record about the violent incident, owning up to his actions and stating through a carefully-worded video apology that his behaviour was ¡°inexcusable¡± and that he had sought therapy and rehab since. He insisted he was not begging for forgiveness but said he was ¡°truly sorry.¡±

But sorry might not be enough anymore. Cassie Ventura, who settled her own civil lawsuit against Diddy earlier this year, is expected to testify in person. If that happens, things could spiral fast.

Credit: X

Sean 'Diddy' Combs | Credit: X

Jury selection kicks off on May 5, and opening statements are slated for May 12. The trial is expected to stretch over a brutal ten weeks of testimonies, evidence and some very uncomfortable headlines for Camp Diddy.

As for Diddy's team? Radio silence so far about why he turned down the plea deal. But one thing is crystal clear: Diddy is playing a very dangerous game ¨C and the house rarely loses.