Sean 'Diddy' Combs in court as high-profile trial begins with jury selection in New York

The trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has begun, with the method to choose the jurors who will decide his destiny now beneath method.

Combs, sporting a white shirt with a black crew-neck sweater, gray trousers and glasses, his hair and goatee now gray, hugged and shook fingers with all his attorneys as he arrived on the federal courtroom in Manhattan, New York, for the beginning of the proceedings.

The 55-year-old has been held in detention in Brooklyn since he was arrested and charged in September 2024, accused of participating in intercourse trafficking and presiding over a racketeering conspiracy over 20 years.

He has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges, mentioned all his sexual relationships and encounters have been consensual, and strenuously denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Because of the high-profile nature of the case, the jury choice course of is predicted to final all this week, with opening statements by the attorneys set to start subsequent week.

In contrast to another high-profile trials within the US, this one will not be broadcast dwell as a result of federal courtrooms, not like some state courtrooms, do not enable digital recordings inside.

Decide Arun Subramanian began proceedings shortly after 9am on Monday (2pm UK time), first making a number of rulings on what points specialists will probably be allowed to testify on once they take to the witness stand.

He then gave an outline of the case and commenced the questioning of potential jurors one after the other – a course of generally known as “voir dire” – with the intention of discovering a panel of 12 jurors and 6 alternates who could be truthful and neutral regardless of heavy media protection of the case.

Learn extra:
Diddy on trial: Everything you need to know
Sean Combs: A timeline of allegations

Jurors are being requested if they’ve any views on the prosecution or the defence, in the event that they or somebody near them has been a sufferer of crime, and their beliefs on hiring intercourse staff, the usage of unlawful medicine, hip-hop artists and regulation enforcement.

They’re additionally being questioned on whether or not they have heard of names included on a listing of people, together with celebrities, who could also be talked about in the course of the trial. The record is lengthy, the courtroom heard, with the decide saying it reminded him of Lord Of The Rings.

What have potential jurors been requested?

One potential juror mentioned that they had heard of actors Michael B Jordan and Mike Myers, however this is able to not stop them being truthful and neutral ought to they be chosen. One other mentioned that they had heard of Kanye West.

The context by which Jordan, Myers, West and different folks could also be talked about shouldn’t be but recognized.

Different names that got here up included Aubrey O’Day and Daybreak Richard – former members of lady group Danity Kane, who have been signed to Unhealthy Boy – and singer Michelle Williams.

A number of potential jurors indicated that they had seen information reviews about Combs, and one potential juror described a nonetheless picture she had seen as “damning proof”. She was rejected from consideration.

One other potential juror was excluded as a result of she mentioned a member of the family had skilled one thing that made them really feel uncomfortable about listening to the case.

At one level throughout proceedings, Combs requested for a loo break, telling the decide: “I am sorry your honour, I am slightly nervous in the present day.”

One potential juror mentioned that they had seen a joke on social media about child oil authorities say they present in Combs’ residences throughout searches in March 2024. They mentioned they may stay neutral.

All through the day, as potential jurors have been questioned, Combs appeared to precise his approval or disapproval, both with a nod or by shaking his head no, to his attorneys.

What’s Combs accused of?

Within the indictment itemizing the formal costs in opposition to the rapper, he’s accused of a sample of abusive habits over 20 years, allegedly with the assistance of individuals in his entourage.

Prosecutors say he manipulated girls into collaborating in drug-fuelled sexual performances with male intercourse staff, which he known as “Freak Offs”.

Combs and his associates resorted to violent acts, together with beatings, kidnapping and arson, when he did not get his method, they allege.

Legal professionals for Combs say any group intercourse was consensual, that there was no coercion concerned, and nothing that occurred amounted to a felony racket.

If convicted, he faces the opportunity of a long time in jail.

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