(NewsNation) — The federal criminal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs began Monday, eight months after the music mogul was indicted on several felony charges relating to sexual abuse.
Jury selection has begun, and both federal prosecutors and Combs’ defense attorneys will choose 12 jurors and six alternates to sit for the case against him.
Opening statements are slated for May 12.
Diddy’s trial: Quiet morning outside Manhattan courthouse
NewsNation reporter Diana Falzone was outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in New York City on Monday, where the scene was quiet and mostly crowded with members of the media. No protest groups or supporters of Combs were in attendance as of Monday morning.
Earlier Monday morning, Combs’ defense team attorney Brian Steel was spotted entering the courthouse as well as some entourage members, including one wearing a “Free Puff” shirt.
Multiple people told NewsNation they had yet to spot members of Combs’ family enter the courthouse.
Arick Fudali, a lawyer who represents two of Combs’ accusers — former Danity Kane member Dawn Richards and another client referred to as “John Doe” — was in the courtroom Monday.
Judge questions potential jurors ahead of Diddy trial
Judge Arun Subramanian spoke to the pool of potential jurors Monday morning, thanking them for their civic service, and said the trial could take as long as eight weeks.
“Let’s be serious, you’re all inconvenienced by this service,” Subramanian said, adding, “It’s an honor and privilege of the jury to be involved in the democratic process.”
Subramanian reviewed their answers to a questionnaire asking their views on sexual violence, sex trafficking, guns and illicit drugs.
Some potential jurors were asked to identify certain celebrities, and others were asked about possible media influence in the trial.
Defense attorneys objected a potential juror who worked as a photo producer for HBO due to the production company’s documentary “The Fall of Diddy.”
Subramanian allowed the juror to stay in the pool but allowed for more questioning later in the process.
“The job here is for both sides and the judge, most importantly, to sort of weed out the jurors that just can’t be impartial,” Fudali said.
Some potential jurors have already been excused Monday. The judge will decrease the pool of potential jurors before both legal teams have a chance to debate and determine who will be in the final group before opening statements begin.
Fudali estimates jury selection will last at least the rest of the week.
“It’s a very slow process, it’s a very deliberate process. In a lot of criminal and civil cases — which are the cases I do — this jury selection process is one of the most important aspects of the case,” he said.
Lisa Bloom, a victims’ rights attorney also representing Richard and Doe, told NewsNation the criminal and civil cases against Combs are similar.
“It’s so interesting to me, you know what’s different about this case than a lot of other high-profile cases, everybody seems to want to be on the jury, and usually people are trying to get out of jury duty,” Bloom, who was also in court Monday, said.
What is Diddy charged with?
Combs faces federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The music producer has been held without bail since his September 2024 arrest, which came after two of his homes were raided by federal investigators seven months prior.
He is accused of sexually abusing and exploiting women, using his status and business empire to compel them to take part in sexual events, dubbed “Freak-Offs.”
Prosecutors allege Combs used the resources of his music empire to create “a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
Combs has denied all allegations. His legal team did not return a request for comment ahead of the trial.
If convicted, how long could Diddy be in prison?
Combs rejected an 11th-hour plea deal with prosecutors last week, which paved the way for the trial, expected to last eight weeks.
If convicted, Combs could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Who is testifying at Diddy’s trial?
Singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who dated Combs, will testify in his trial under her own name instead of remaining anonymous.
Ventura was the first to file a civil suit against Combs in 2023, which prompted dozens more to come forward.
Three unnamed victims will also be testifying.
What is the evidence against Diddy?
Prosecutors will likely present a trove of evidence acquired from Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles during raids last year, including guns, electronics and large amounts of lubricant they say are related to alleged violent sex events.
Combs’ pretrial motions and arguments have offered hints as to what his defense may look like.
His defense team has argued any sexual acts were consensual, which does not amount to any crime. They will also likely question the credibility of the victims.
Tamara Holder, a women’s rights and sexual abuse attorney, spoke to NewsNation on Friday about the possibility of the Combs defense team using the issue of consent as one of their main arguments.
“His (Combs) defense is going to be that he had a lifestyle that involved consensual sexual behavior. Diddy believes he’s going to convince the jury that these were consenting adults,” Holder speculated. “His defense is going to attack women and willing participants of ‘Freak-offs’ and probably go into their backgrounds. The goal is to attack the credibility of the (alleged) victims because he’s admitted to the conduct, just not that it was not consensual.”
How Diddy’s criminal trial could affect civil cases against him
Bloom said she’ll be watching the trial closely when it begins next week.
“So, if the criminal case results in a conviction, that will be significant for us, though of course we will still be required to prove our cases at trial. One of the reasons I will be attending the trial in person is to learn what evidence and witnesses will be presented, as much of it may be relevant to my cases,” Bloom said.
Combs faces federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges spanning over two decades.
NewsNation did not receive a comment from Douglas Wigdor, lawyer for Cassie Ventura, at the time of publication.
Formerly known as “Puff Daddy,” Combs was once considered one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the last three decades. The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs has worked with artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112, and he also created a fashion clothing line and a music-focused TV channel.