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.
The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
For more than two decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was one of one of hip-hop's most opportunistic entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show.
In the criminal indictment for this week’s sex trafficking trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the document lists many of the hip-hop mogul’s aliases.
Read on...
From P to Brother Love: The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Ariana Baio reports on everything we know about the case so far.
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: Allegations behind Diddy’s trial
The rise and fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs — a timeline
For more than two decades, Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of hip-hop's most opportunistic entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show.
But U.S. prosecutors say that behind the scenes, Combs was coercing and abusing women with help from a network of associates who helped silence victims through blackmail and violence.
Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.
Here is a timeline of major events in his rise and fall:
A timeline of the rise and fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs
ICYMI: Diddy rejects plea deal offer
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the music mogul headed to trial on sex-trafficking accusations, rejected a last-minute plea deal with prosecutors, he confirmed in court on Thursday.
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.
Ariana Baio reports.
Diddy rejects plea deal offer ahead of his trial on sex-trafficking charges
Jury selection day two to get underway soon
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of day two of jury selection in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
More prospective jurors will be questioned today, but after day one, the court appears to be near securing the 18 people (12 jurors, six alternates) required to begin the trial on schedule on May 12.
How does jury selection work?
Here’s a quick reminder as to how jury selection works.
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, which began yesterday, 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 their own personal experiences connected to the alleged criminal acts, for example, if they or a family member had ever been a victim of assault. A similar process was undertaken in the federal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking. Jurors have the option of speaking in private to the judge and legal teams to preserve privacy when answering those questions.
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.
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Here’s a full recap of the case against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the former music mogul, as he sits in Manhattan federal court 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.
Here’s what you need to know:
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: Allegations behind Diddy’s trial
What do we know about yesterday's jurors who may be chosen for the trial?
After the first day of questioning, the court appeared to be nearing the number of prospective jurors needed to proceed.
In both individual and group questioning in court, we found out they are drawn from a wide range of careers — 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.
Some live in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester County.
Court back in session
Judge Arun Subramanian is at the bench, and the court is back in session for day two of jury selection.
All potential jurors have filled out a lengthy jury questionnaire concerning the case.
They will now be asked further questions by the judge based on their answers.