Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in court on Friday as jury selection got underway in his racketeering and sex trafficking trial, where a panel of 12 New Yorkers is expected to be chosen to decide the outcome of the high-profile case.
The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, faces one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transportation for prostitution—each a felony offence. A conviction could result in a lengthy prison sentence, potentially even life behind bars.
Combs arrived at the US District Court in Lower Manhattan wearing a sweater layered over a white shirt and was seen shaking hands with his defence team as he entered Judge Arun Subramanian’s courtroom.
Earlier in the week, Judge Subramanian had questioned nearly 100 prospective jurors on their prior knowledge of the case and any personal experiences involving sexual assault. With input from both prosecution and defence, 45 individuals were ultimately deemed capable of serving impartially.
On Friday, attorneys from both sides are expected to alternate in striking jurors from this pool until a final panel of 12 jurors and six alternates is confirmed—a meticulous selection process that could prove crucial to the trial’s outcome.
Combs, a Harlem native and founder of the iconic Bad Boy Records, was arrested in September and has since been held at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn. Once celebrated as a titan of the music industry with close ties to A-list celebrities, his arrest has marked a dramatic fall from grace.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan US Attorney’s office allege that over a span of two decades, Combs used his music empire to lure women with promises of romance or financial gain, only to coerce them into drug-fuelled, prolonged sexual encounters referred to as “Freak Offs.”
Court filings claim Combs maintained control over his victims through a pattern of drugging and blackmailing. Among the serious allegations are acts of violence including kidnapping at gunpoint, throwing a Molotov cocktail into a vehicle, and physically assaulting victims by hitting, choking, and dragging them—allegations that date back to the 1990s.
Combs’ legal team has pushed back, accusing prosecutors of attempting to criminalise what they describe as a consensual “swinger lifestyle.” They have indicated plans to challenge the credibility of the women expected to testify, arguing that their stories have shifted over time and that some have financial motives for coming forward.
Judge Subramanian has stated that the trial is expected to run for approximately eight weeks. A unanimous decision will be required for any verdict, with alternate jurors standing by in case any of the selected panel are unable to complete the proceedings.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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