Jury Selection Begins in Diddy's Trial
Jury selection commenced Monday in the high-profile federal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting individuals to engage in prostitution. If convicted, Combs could be sentenced to life in prison.
The trial, expected to last at least six weeks, will not hear opening statements until next week. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Allegations of Coercion and Violence
A 17-page indictment accuses Combs of exploiting his power to manipulate women into drug-fueled sexual encounters, using a combination of career incentives, threats, and physical violence to control them. Prosecutors allege he engaged in beatings, arson, and even dangled a person from a balcony to enforce compliance.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, acknowledged his client’s personal struggles, including drug use and volatile relationships, but insisted all sexual activity was consensual. Agnifilo argued that Combs’ participation in a "swingers" lifestyle—where he and his partners occasionally invited a third person—was not criminal.
The case gained widespread attention last year when a woman accused Combs and rapper Jay-Z of raping her as a minor, though she dropped the lawsuit in February.
Challenges in Jury Selection
The jury will remain anonymous, a common practice in high-profile trials. Prosecutors and the defense have narrowed the pool to 150 potential jurors, from which a 12-member panel will be selected ahead of the May 12 opening statements.
The process has faced hurdles, as many prospective jurors had already seen a 2024 surveillance video—published by CNN—showing Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura. Judge Arun Subramanian has repeatedly emphasized the need for impartiality, questioning jurors about their exposure to media coverage.
Disputes arose over juror eligibility, including one woman who worked for a TV network that produced a documentary about Combs. She remains in contention for now.
Legal Proceedings and Background
Combs, arrested in September 2024, has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a facility that previously housed high-profile inmates like Ghislaine Maxwell and Sam Bankman-Fried. His requests for bail have been denied three times, with judges citing concerns over witness tampering.
The trial will not be televised, per federal court rules, with courtroom updates likely coming from sketch artists. Judge Subramanian, a Biden appointee and former clerk for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, will oversee the case.
Combs faces five total counts, including additional sex trafficking and prostitution-related charges filed in a superseding April indictment. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated "Freak Off" parties where women were drugged and forced into prolonged sexual acts, some of which were recorded.
Key Witnesses and Past Controversies
Four alleged victims are expected to testify, two under pseudonyms. Ventura, referred to as "Victim 1," will testify using her real name. She previously sued Combs in 2023, accusing him of rape and years of abuse before settling the case a day after filing.
In May 2024, Combs publicly apologized after CNN released footage of him assaulting Ventura in 2016. "My behavior on that video is inexcusable," he said in an Instagram video. Judge Subramanian ruled the video admissible at trial despite defense objections.
Combs is also embroiled in multiple civil lawsuits from alleged victims, though these will not factor into the criminal trial. His legal team includes high-profile attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, who have represented clients like Martin Shkreli and Keith Raniere.
The case, prosecuted by the Southern District of New York, marks a pivotal moment for the once-revered hip-hop icon, whose legacy now hangs in the balance.