Sean “Diddy” Combs’ intercourse trafficking trial begins at the moment. Here is what to know concerning the prices, proof and extra.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul accused of sexually assaulting, trafficking and in any other case exploiting girls in recurring incidents over a number of a long time, is standing trial in New York Metropolis this month. Jury choice begins Monday, and opening statements are scheduled to observe on Might 12.

Combs, 55, faces a number of prices, together with intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has been jailed since September, when he was ordered held with out bail. He has pleaded not responsible and at his remaining pre-trial listening to, rejected a plea deal.

Because the trial will get underway in Manhattan federal courtroom, this is what to know.

Combs shall be tried on 5 prices

Some of the highly effective figures in hip-hop, Combs is accused of operating a felony enterprise, with assist from associates and staff, since not less than 2004 that engaged in or tried to interact in intercourse trafficking, compelled labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, obstruction of justice and different offenses, in keeping with an indictment.

Combs was initially charged in September 2024 with one rely of racketeering conspiracy, one rely of intercourse trafficking by drive, fraud or coercion, and one rely of transportation for functions of prostitution. A superseding indictment introduced two further counts — considered one of intercourse trafficking by drive, fraud or coercion, and considered one of transportation for functions of prostitution — towards him in early April.

The indictment alleges Combs “engaged in a persistent and pervasive sample of abuse towards girls and different people,” which was “verbal, emotional, bodily, and sexual.” It accuses him of manipulating girls into collaborating in industrial intercourse acts with him and typically with male intercourse staff. He allegedly organized for girls and the intercourse staff to be flown to him.

The acts with intercourse staff, which prosecutors say Combs known as “Freak Offs,” are described within the indictment as elaborate performances that Combs directed and sometimes filmed with or with out members’ consent. Prosecutors have alleged the occasions concerned extreme drug use, “partly to maintain the victims obedient and compliant,” and typically lasted a number of days. 

Combs can also be accused of assaulting girls repeatedly over a few years by “hanging, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking them,” the indictment mentioned. The violence prolonged to his staff and individuals who witnessed his alleged abuse, prosecutors say. In a single occasion, Combs is accused of dangling a sufferer over an residence balcony, in keeping with the indictment.

Along with abuse, Combs allegedly maintained management over victims with cash, medicine and threats to their careers, amongst different means. Prosecutors additionally allege Combs used bribes and blackmail to cover proof of his conduct.

In line with prosecutors, the racketeering conspiracy cost includes allegations that Combs sex-trafficked three victims and compelled a fourth, considered one of his staff, into sexual exercise with him. The indictment refers to 3 feminine victims as Sufferer-1, Sufferer-2 and Sufferer-3.

4 accusers are anticipated to testify towards Combs, in keeping with prosecutors.

If Combs is discovered responsible on all counts, CBS Information authorized contributor Jessica Levinson mentioned he might find yourself dealing with a long time in jail. He has pleaded not responsible to every of the costs towards him.

His attorneys have mentioned the allegations towards him got here from “former long-term girlfriends, who have been concerned in consensual relationships.”

“This was their non-public intercourse life, outlined by consent, not coercion,” the protection mentioned in an announcement in April following the superseding indictment. 

2016 resort safety video

A safety tape exhibiting Combs attacking his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra Ventura, who performs underneath the identify Cassie, in 2016 is predicted to function a key piece of proof for prosecutors through the trial. 

The video exhibits Combs throwing Ventura to the ground within the hallway of a Los Angeles resort, kicking her and dragging her. CNN obtained and revealed the footage final yr following public allegations of bodily and sexual violence towards Combs. 

Ventura accused Combs of rape and bodily abuse in a lawsuit in November 2023 that was settled the day after she filed it. The lawsuit additionally alleges Combs paid the resort $50,000 for the 2016 safety footage.

Combs apologized for his habits seen within the video however denied the allegations within the lawsuit.

Prosecutors contend the assault within the video occurred throughout a “Freak Off.” Combs legal professionals, who tried to persuade the choose to exclude it from the trial, argue the footage was nothing greater than a “glimpse into a fancy however decade-long consensual relationship” between the 2.

U.S. District Choose Arun Subramanian mentioned Combs’ legal professionals did not persuade him that the footage ought to be excluded. Its relevance to the case outweighs any potential prejudice to Combs, the choose mentioned.

Jury choice

Forward of jury choice, Combs’ authorized crew and prosecutors disagreed on what to incorporate within the questionnaire used to guage potential jurors.

In courtroom filings, Combs’ attorneys argued that prosecutors’ proposed questionnaire didn’t “discover in any respect the prejudices and biases which might be central to an efficient inquiry to seating a good jury” nor acknowledge “the unprecedented and damaging media consideration they might have been uncovered to, associated to Mr. Combs.”

They requested that jurors be questioned about their views relating to intercourse, medicine, violence and folks with a number of sexual companions.

Prosecutors criticized the protection’s proposed questionnaire as too lengthy and bearing on topics that might be higher requested in individual by the choose, if in any respect. They mentioned a number of the questions have been “totally irrelevant to the power to serve on a jury.”

contributed to this report.