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As it happenedended

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

Oliver O'Connell,Kelly Rissman,Ariana Baio
Friday 09 May 2025 16:03 BST
Diddy trial day 2: Jury selection continues

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.

Two more potential jurors out

Two more potential jurors will not take part in the trial.

One man said he had trust issues with law enforcement witnesses, as he had been picked up by the police, he said, for no reason. Judge Subramanian decided to exclude him.

Another man said he has to take care of his child and said he had trouble understanding some of the questions asked of jurors.

He was excused for cause.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 20:17

Another juror excused

Another juror has been excused over her own experience with domestic violence.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 20:25

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, far left, looks on from the defense table with his attorneys, as a prospective juror answers questions posed by Judge Arun Subramanian, center, at Manhattan federal court
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, far left, looks on from the defense table with his attorneys, as a prospective juror answers questions posed by Judge Arun Subramanian, center, at Manhattan federal court (AP)
Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 20:54

More jurors excused for cause

More jurors are excused for cause by Judge Subramanian. One has a child in the hospital, while another has job interviews scheduled.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 21:10

Potential juror says wife once deposed Diddy

One potential juror revealed that their wife once deposed Diddy in a case about a stampede and expressed negative views about him afterward.

While the juror says they did not tell their wife that they may be on the case, another prospective juror who knows her saw them and told her.

Judge Subramanian asks them to write the juror’s name on a Post-It note.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 21:22

Diddy lawyer wants to question HBO employee again

Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, wants to question the juror who works for HBO again.

HBO produced the documentary The Fall of Diddy, which has come up several times today.

Judge Subramanian tells him he can make an application to do so.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 21:40

Non-excused jurors face group questioning

Judge Subramanian has jurors who were not excused brought back into the courtroom for a round of group questioning.

They give biographical information, including about their education, where they live, what their hobbies are, and what media they consume.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 21:57

What do we know about the remaining jurors?

Prospective jurors are drawn from a wide range of careers, we find out in group questioning.

They work in finance, web maintenance, massage therapy, freelance writing, retail, teaching, marketing, nursing, and accounts in the prison system, among other professions.

Jurors spend their time at church, watching Netflix, playing volleyball, cooking, going to the gym, playing cricket, and include supporters of both the Mets and the Yankees. They watch The Voice, The White Lotus, British detective shows on PBS, climate change documentaries, and ESPN.

They listen to alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, gospel, reggaeton, old Indian music, country, bluegrass, and Jazz, as well as NPR, 1010 WINS, and Joe Rogan.

Jurors also read The Atlantic, The New York Times, local news publications, food magazines, and The Bulwark.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 22:22

HBO juror works as photo producer

The court also learned a bit more about the HBO employee we heard from earlier.

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 22:25

Judge dismisses jurors

After that round of questioning, Judge Subrmanian dismisses the jurors for the day, saying that they will hear from the jury department, and asking them not to post anything online or to read about the case.

“I will see some of you on May 12.”

Oliver O'Connell5 May 2025 22:27

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