Jury selection began on Monday for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking case in Manhattan, where more than a dozen New Yorkers were questioned about their knowledge of the allegations against him. Prospective jurors were presented with a list of over 100 individuals and locations relevant to the trial, including celebrities like Michael B. Jordan and Kanye West, none of whom are implicated. Key names included women who have previously filed civil lawsuits against Combs, notably Casandra Ventura, whose accusations triggered the current charges, and Dawn Richard, who claimed in a lawsuit that Combs groped and threatened her.
Combs, detained since his September 2024 arrest, appeared in court dressed in civilian attire. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian permitted him to wear his own clothing throughout the trial and granted permission for a clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Elie Aoun, to testify on the effects of drugs on Combs’ behavior, particularly concerning incidents where he may have been intoxicated.
Federal prosecutors accuse Combs of exploiting women, forcing them into drug-fueled sexual acts, termed “freak offs,” and keeping recordings of these encounters. Prosecutors presented a pivotal video from March 5, 2016, showing Combs allegedly attacking Ventura in a hotel, which they argue serves as vital evidence of trafficking and use of force. While Combs has vehemently denied the allegations and claims the encounters were consensual, prosecutors allege he silenced victims through coercion.
The trial is expected to last eight weeks, with efforts to complete jury selection swiftly. As the case unfolds, both the prosecution and defense are preparing to address the serious implications of the allegations against Combs.
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