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After rejecting a last-minute plea deal offer, Diddy is expected to appear in court Monday to be tried on sex trafficking charges
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Jury selection has begun as the highly anticipated trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs kicks off in a Manhattan courtroom.
Federal prosecutors have brought a five-count indictment against the 55-year-old music mogul, accusing him of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
The rapper was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged Combs and his associates threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires.” One such desire includes “Freak Offs,” recorded sex performances that prosecutors say Diddy arranged and forced victims to participate in. During searches of his homes in Miami and Florida, authorities said they seized supplies such as narcotics and 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil.
Since then, prosecutors have brought two superseding indictments against the music mogul. In March, the new indictment detailed fresh allegations of “forced labor.” In April, the newest indictment brought an additional charge of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Diddy has also been the subject of a mountain of civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, rape and misconduct, with some cases dating to the 1990s. He’s denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Last Thursday, Diddy rejected the government’s plea deal offer.
Some prospective jurors have said they have seen either an image or a video of Diddy from a hotel hallway security camera.
Here’s what they’re referring to:
Two more potential jurors have been excused.
One was excluded for cause by Judge Subramanian after saying they had seen a “damning” image of the defendant.
Another was excused as they had just started a new job in a hotel.
One prospective juror was excused by Judge Subramanian after stating that they had a family member who experienced some of the case’s subject matter — potentially assault or domestic violence — making it difficult for them to sit through the trial.
Another juror said they had a family member who had been the victim of domestic violence, but stated that they could remain impartial.
The first group of jurors was escorted from the court and made to wait in a second courtroom. They are now being brought in one by one to review a binder containing a list of people and places relevant to the case.
Earlier, Judge Subramanian compared the list to an appendix to The Lord of the Rings.
Jurors are also asked clarification questions about their questionnaire answers.
If they have answered that they have direct or indirect experience concerning the charges (for example, being the victim of assault or having a close family member who is), then the judge asks if they can be fair in their assessment of the facts of the case.
The first group of jurors has been brought into the courtroom and is being addressed by Judge Subramanian.
He explains the basics of the case, listing all of Diddy’s names — Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, PD, and Love.
The trial is expected to run for about eight weeks from May 12. The court will sit from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the first week and then from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for subsequent weeks.
The judge also tells the jurors that if, during questioning today, there is something they do not want to say in open court, they may answer out of earshot, and the transcript will only be visible to the parties themselves.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution purposes, and has maintained his innocence since being arrested.
Last Thursday, standing before a judge in his final pre-trial hearing, Combs said he rejected the government’s offer to plead guilty to charges in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Ariana Baio reports.
Here’s a quick guide to how jury selection will proceed today.
Some 600 prospective jurors have filled out questionnaires to help the legal team whittle down the numbers and end up with a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in case any of the jurors have to step down for some reason — alternates sit through the whole trial and see all the evidence.
Dozens of the prospects will be asked about their questionnaire responses in this voir dire stage, beginning today, to identify anyone who might not be impartial.
The questionnaires likely included questions on what they had read or heard about the charges against Diddy, and possibly their own personal experiences connected to the alleged criminal acts, for example, if they had ever been a victim of assault. A similar process was undertaken in the federal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking. If there are questions relating to that, they will be asked in a sidebar to protect the privacy of potential jurors.
While the defense and prosecution have an unlimited number of “for cause” challenges to dismiss a prospective juror, Judge Arun Subramanian will ultimately make the final decision on whether someone should be excused from this high-profile trial.
By the end of the week, both sides will be able to exercise what are called “peremptory strikes” to remove a juror without any explanation.
Jury selection has begun at Manhattan’s federal courthouse.
Diddy’s family does not appear to be present.
We’ll be posting updates throughout the day from Ariana Baio and Kelly Rissman, who are watching proceedings today for The Independent.
Diddy is dressed formally and wearing reading glasses, seated with his eight lawyers.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the former music mogul, is headed to Manhattan federal court on Monday for his high-profile sex trafficking crimes trial.
Prosecutors have charged Combs with racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation for prostitution purposes. The charges stem from allegations made by four unnamed people.
He’s a full recap:
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Diddy trial for sex trafficking charges kicks off with jury selection: Live – The Independent
