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.
Who are the witnesses and what is the evidence against Diddy?
Without identifying them publicly, prosecutors have said four of Sean “Diddy” Combs' accusers will testify at the trial.
The prosecution will be allowed to show the jury security video of Combs beating and kicking one of his accusers, the R&B singer Cassie, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Diddy's attorneys are expected to argue at trial that the government is demonizing and distorting the sexual activity of consenting adults. They have also argued that two of Combs' longtime girlfriends willingly brought a male sex worker into their relationship.
Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, was Combs' on-again-off-again romantic partner for more than a decade. Her 2023 lawsuit against Combs alleging years of abuse, including rape, began the scrutiny that eventually led to his prosecution.
The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Ventura did.
The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
From “Puff Daddy” to “P. Diddy” and even the obscure “Brother Love,” here's a look back at Combs' self-appointed names and what was going on during his career in each era.
From P to Brother Love: The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
Court resumes
Court resumes following lunch, and the next potential juror will remain in the pool for the trial.
She has previous trial experience on a jury in Philadelphia some 20 years ago and has also seen the hotel hallway video — which she found disturbing.
Asked if she can be fair in her assessment of the evidence, she replies yes.
Social worker remains in pool
The next juror tells the court he is a security guard and social worker specializing in child neglect — a point clarified after a question from the defense team asking to know in what specific field he works.
He confirms he can be fair in assessing the case and will remain in the jury pool.
Jury selection in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial proceeds for a second day
Jury selection resumed for a second day in the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs as a federal judge and lawyers worked Tuesday to find a dozen New Yorkers who believe they can be fair despite any opinions they may have developed about the music mogul.
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Jury selection in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial proceeds for a second day
Assault victim struck from jury pool
The personal experiences of jurors can weigh heavily on whether they can be impartial in a trial.
In this case, a female juror explained that she was assaulted by the girlfriend of an ex-partner and had to file a police report.
She appeared hesitant about whether she could be fair about certain testimony regarding violence.
Judge Subramanian opted to exclude her from the pool after she left the room.
Freelance worker excused for cause
A freelance worker told Judge Subramanian that if she’s not able to work, she doesn’t get paid.
The judge agreed to excuse her for cause — remember that the trial is expected to last about eight weeks.
Juror questions proceed at quick pace
Following lunch, the pace at which the court is moving through individual questioning of potential jurors appears to have picked up.
A man who previously served on a jury in the Bronx will remain in the pool, and a woman who imports avocados says he uncle being in the NYPD makes her biased toward law enforcement.
She is excused for cause.
Another woman is also excused to attend her son’s graduation in the second week of June (while also saying she heard a song about the case on a Russian comedy channel).
Juror excused over marijuana use
A landlord from the Bronx, currently in the midst of evicting a tenant, was excused from the jury pool after being candid about his marijuana use.
Judge Subramanian asked him if he could not use the drug during the trial, saying he would order that. In later questions, he said he had last used it the previous night and it would be hard for him to go the length of the trial without marijuana.
Prosecutors asked the judge to excuse him, which he did, saying: “He was honest.”
