The federal sex trafficking trial of renowned hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs commenced on Monday in New York City, marking a significant chapter in the entrepreneur’s frequently scrutinized career. With jury selection underway, proceedings momentarily halted when Combs, visibly uneasy, requested a bathroom break, candidly admitting to being “a little nervous.”
During the session, Judge Arun Subramanian engaged with about three dozen potential jurors, questioning them to assess their ability to remain impartial in a trial poised to expose violent and sexual content. The judge provided a succinct overview of the charges leveled against Combs, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, clarifying that Combs had entered a plea of not guilty and reminding the prospective jurors of his presumption of innocence.
At the culmination of the day’s process, the jury pool was significantly reduced. Many were excused due to personal constraints, such as financial inability to participate in a protracted trial expected to last two months, or potential biases that could compromise their impartiality. Additional jurors were anticipated to be screened the following day, with jury selection not expected to finalize before Wednesday.
Throughout the day, Combs, 55, was present with his legal team, dressed in civilian attire—a sweater over a white-collared shirt and gray pants—permitted by the judge as opposed to jail garments. Since his arrest last September, Combs has been detained in a Brooklyn federal detention facility, where the absence of dye leaves his hair and goatee nearly completely gray.
This trial stands apart from other high-profile celebrity cases as it will not be broadcast live, adhering to federal courtroom regulations that prohibit electronic recordings. Instead, the public’s view will rely on courtroom sketches to capture the proceedings. Conviction on all charges could potentially result in Combs facing a life sentence.
The trial has garnered attention partly due to a crucial video evidence piece: footage showing Combs allegedly hitting and kicking an accuser in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. This incident has already influenced the juror selection process, with one potential juror likening a still from the video to “damning evidence” before being dismissed.
Combs’ legal woes are compounded by a 17-page indictment depicting a racketeering scheme echoing the structure of organized crime figures. Allegations extend over two decades, asserting abusive behavior facilitated by Combs’ entourage and business network. Combs and his defense team maintain that the interactions were consensual, denying any misconduct amounting to criminal activity.
Prosecutors argue that Combs manipulated women into participating in drug-enhanced sexual acts with male escorts, termed “Freak Offs,” leveraging violent measures and his influence to ensure compliance. Allegations include coercive tactics such as physical assaults, kidnappings, and even dangling individuals from balconies to enforce his will.
Despite the gravity of these charges, prospects of a full witness lineup have shifted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey disclosed that one of the alleged victims might not testify, citing difficulties with the individual’s attorney. Comey assured that the prosecution’s case could proceed without the testimony, indicating that it is not essential to meet their burden of proof.
A pivotal event in Combs’ legal troubles is a videotaped assault involving his former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in 2016, which is central to the prosecution’s evidence. Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, has publicly accused Combs of severe abuse through a 2023 lawsuit, detailing assaults and alleged rapes over several years, thereby shedding light on her traumatic experiences.
In adherence to privacy standards, it is customary not to disclose identities of alleged sexual assault victims unless they willingly identify themselves publicly, as Cassie has done.