Diddy is set trial date to face charges

Combs appeared before Judge Arun Summanian at the Manhattan Federal Court. Upon entering the courtroom, he warmly embraced each of his lawyers and smiled as he spoke with them.

The judge also set deadlines for lawyers from each side to present arguments that will determine the limits for a trial that the Combs lawyers want to begin in April or May. He set another date for Combs to appear in court in December, though he said lawyers could decide that it is not necessary.

Combs, 54, has been declared innocent of charges brought against him last month, including conspiracy of blackmail and sex trafficking, given charges dating back to 2008.

At Thursday's hearing, US deputy prosecutor Emily Johnson said 96 electronic devices were seized in the March raids at the Combs residences in Miami and Los Angeles and at a private airport in Florida. She said four other equipment were seized when Cobbs was arrested last month.