Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial: Jury selection set to be finalized Friday in sex trafficking case
Court narrows down potential jurors from 600 to dozens, with opening statements set for Monday, May 12
The final round of jury selection will begin Monday in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The court must seat a panel of 18 New Yorkers — 12 jurors and six alternates — before opening statements are set to begin on May 12.
On Monday, lawyers will use peremptory challenges to strike off some of the remaining 43 potential jurors they do not want at trial to narrow that number down to 18. Opening statements will start after.
The music mogul is facing a five-count indictment 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.” This included “Freak Offs,” recorded sex performances that prosecutors say Diddy arranged and forced victims to participate in. During searches of his homes, authorities seized narcotics and 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil.
Two superseding indictments against the music mogul were added. In March, fresh allegations of “forced labor,” and in April, an additional charge of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Diddy has denied any accusations of wrongdoing and has rejected the government’s plea deal offer.
Thank you for joining us today
Court is adjourned for the day.
The pool of 43 potential jurors will have to return Monday as the peremptory challenges phase will be moved until then. Today, two potential jurors were excluded from the pool.
On Monday, that number will have to be narrowed down to just 18: 12 jurors and six alternates.
Peremptory challenges are set to begin at 8.30 a.m. on Monday and opening statements will start at 9.30 a.m., the judge said.
This blog will be paused until then. Thanks for joining us today and we’ll see you then.
Jury selection starts today
Jury selection will begin today in music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs sex-trafficking case.
Combs, 55, rejected a last-minute government plea deal in a Manhattan courtoom on Thursday.
A jury of 12 New Yorkers and six alternates will need to be seated by Wednesday in order for opening arguments to begin on time.
If he is found guilty on all charges in the case, Combs could be looking at life in prison.
Diddy rejects plea deal offer ahead of his trial on sex-trafficking charges
Members of the press and public are already gathering outside court in Manhattan ahead of jury selection in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Pictures show long lines already starting to form. Lawyers are expected to get there around 8.30 a.m. ET.
The Independent’s Kelly Rissman and Ariana Baio are down at court today and will be bringing you live updates from both inside and outside the courtroom.
No protesters outside court so far
The Independent’s Ariana Baio reports that there’s a good chunk of media already outside court, with broadcasters positioned across the street and directly in front of the doors.
However, there are no protesters as yet. We’ll see if that changes.
We also won’t be seeing Combs entering court because he’s being taken in via secure entrance since he’s being held at Metropolitan Detention Center, in Brooklyn.
Diddy's children may attend jury selection
Though we might not be seeing Combs himself enter court, several of his children have attended pre-trial hearings to support their father.
They may also attend jury selection today. Here’s more:
Diddy’s children break silence in support of father amid sex trafficking charges
Recap: What are the accusations against Combs?
Federal prosecutors have brought a five-count indictment against the music mogul:
• Racketeering conspiracy.
• Two charges of sex trafficking
• Two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Many of the most severe allegations relate to the racketeering conspiracy charge.
After rejecting a plea deal last week, Combs, if convicted, faces life in prison.
Diddy's lawyer arrives at court in 'Free Puff' hoodie
A member of Diddy’s legal team, attorney Brian Steel – who previously represented rapper Young Thug – arrived at the courthouse around 8:15 a.m. He did not respond to questions as he walked inside.
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‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
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:
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: Allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Jury selection gets underway
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.
How does jury selection work?
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.