Jury choice begins in Sean “Diddy” Combs trial in NYC. This is what he is accused of.

Jury choice in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ intercourse trafficking and racketeering trial began Monday in New York Metropolis.

The decide plans to usher in 50 potential jurors day by day till a jury of 12 folks and 6 alternates is chosen. On Monday, 15 potential jurors had been questioned and 4 had been dismissed. In all, 40 will must be authorized.

As a result of Combs is such a high-profile defendant, the preliminary screening course of began final week.

At his ultimate pretrial listening to final week, a decide dominated Combs is permitted to put on some articles of standard clothes, as a substitute of his tan jail uniform. Sitting amongst his eight legal professionals on Monday, Combs wore a sweater over a white collared shirt and grey slacks. The rap mogul’s hair and goatee have turned nearly totally gray since he was put in jail final September.  

What potential jurors had been requested

The court docket introduced in tons of of candidates to fill out questionaries to determine potential biases and the way a lot they could already know concerning the case. In-person questioning of the remaining jurors started at 8:30 a.m.

Earlier than being questioned, the 150 potential jurors famous on a type if they’re aware of any of 190 celebrities listed. A number of acknowledged Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan, Kanye West and Child Cudi. It isn’t clear how the names are associated to the trial, if in any respect.

Jurors had been additionally requested whether or not they’ve skilled sexual assault and if movies of bodily violence and sexually specific movies would intervene with their capacity to be truthful and neutral.

Jury choice is predicted to final for a number of days, and opening statements are scheduled to start subsequent Monday, Could 12. The trial is predicted to run between eight and 10 weeks.   

Diddy trial facilities round prices from 4 girls

Though dozens of women and men have filed civil lawsuits towards Combs, this prison trial will spotlight the claims of 4 girls, together with these of ex-girlfriend and singer Cassie Ventura. The opposite three will testify anonymously.

Combs, 55, faces a complete of 5 prices, together with racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.

Prosecutors allege that for twenty years he used his enterprise empire to run a prison enterprise that coerced girls into collaborating in drug-fueled sexual escapades, often known as “freak offs,” involving male prostitutes.

The prison indictment additionally alleges Combs terrorized folks into silence by way of threats and bodily abuse, and even dangled somebody from a balcony.

As for the proof, jurors will likely be proven safety footage of Combs beating, punching and dragging Ventura within the hallway of a Los Angeles lodge in 2016. Prosecutors additionally plan to indicate jurors journey data, textual content messages and emails to help claims of what they name “freak off exercise.”

A number of potential jurors mentioned they’d seen the video of Combs’ assault of Ventura. One lady referred to as it “damning proof” and was rejected. After one other potential juror was dismissed, Combs requested for a loo break, telling the decide, “I am sorry, your honor, I am somewhat nervous right this moment.”

Additionally dismissed was a marketer for Simon and Schuster who reviewed a press launch about an upcoming guide about Combs by singer Al B. Positive!.

The decide reminded jurors Combs has pleaded not responsible to the fees and is presumed harmless. 

Combs just lately rejected a plea deal. The small print weren’t publicized, however it will have given him a lighter sentence than what he’ll face if he is convicted on all counts – which is as much as life in jail.

His authorized troubles started almost two years in the past when Ventura filed a civil swimsuit towards him, alleging years of bodily and sexual abuse. The 2 settled, although dozens extra circumstances have been filed by different alleged victims. Combs denies the allegations.

In March, 2024, federal brokers raided Combs’ houses in Los Angeles and Miami. Two months later, footage of the Ventura assault aired on CNN, and Combs apologized on social media.

Authorized specialists say protection attorneys will attempt to change public notion.

“You need that jury seeing Mr. Combs as relatable, as human, as a father,” legal professional Judie Saunders mentioned.