Sometimes, the truth isn’t wrapped in glitter or spotlighted on the grand stage; it comes out in pieces, slow and deliberate. In a high-profile case against Jay-Z and Sean Combs, the legal skirmishes have proven just as intense as the allegations themselves. As the woman accusing the rap moguls of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 steps forward with her lawsuit, a New York judge has made a bold decision: she can remain anonymous—for now.

Jay Z | Credit: Daniele Dalledonne licensed under Cc-by-sa-2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Judge Analisa Torres’ ruling, delivered Thursday, ensured that the accuser’s identity remains shielded as the case moves forward, sparking debate over the balance between legal transparency and victim protection. But the legal drama didn’t stop there. The judge also had strong words for Jay-Z’s legal team, calling out their “relentless filing of combative motions” and accusing them of using...