Jury selection begins for high-profile Sean “Diddy” Combs case

by Mick the Ram

The process to select a jury for the high-profile Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial has begun in a Manhattan courtroom.

The 55-year-old rapper was arrested in September 2024 with federal prosecutors bringing a five-count indictment against the music mogul, accusing him of sex-trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and conspiracy to racketeer.

Combs rejected a last-minute government plea deal last week, so a jury of twelve New Yorkers and six alternates (in case any of those picked need to step down for some reason) now needs to be put together and on Monday 5 May the first batch from some 600 prospective jurors went in front of Judge Arun Subramanian.

Each individual has completed a questionnaire to help legal teams whittle them down over the course of three days and a final line-up will need to be in place by close of play on the 7th, to allow opening arguments to begin on time on 12 May. 

Essentially, the judge has to ensure impartiality and he will have the final say, although the defence and prosecution have an unlimited number of “for cause” challenges to dismiss a prospective juror.

For the jurors who make it through this first round of questions, there will be a group questioning session to come and from the opening day there was a total of 19 people moving to that next stage.

The judge was keen to remind everyone that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that parties should refrain from doing anything that might disrupt his right to a fair trial.

If found guilty however on all of the charges brought against him, Combs could be looking at life in prison.

Serious offences 

Federal authorities allege that Combs and his associates threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfil his sexual desires,” with one such desire being “Freak Off’s,” which are basically recorded sex performances, which prosecutors state that the accused arranged and forced victims to participate in. 

During searches of his homes in Miami and Florida, authorities said they seized supplies such as narcotics and as many as 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil. 

Charges keep coming

Subsequently, prosecutors have brought two superseding indictments against “Diddy” relating to “forced labour” and offences of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The rapper has also been the subject of a growing number of civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and rape, dating back in some cases to the 1990’s. Sean Combs denies all of the accusations for any wrongdoing.

Taking a good look at potential jurors

When the judge initially brought in the first batch of 50 potential jurors, “Diddy” turned around to look at them all and appeared to be counting their numbers. 

Once the panel is chosen Prosecutor Emily Johnson told the judge that the government would require three weeks to present its case; whilst the Combs legal team indicated they will only need a week to present theirs. 

The difficulties of fair selection

The cross-section of people being considered is incredibly diverse. They range in age from 30-75 with all manner of occupations, from scientists to cashiers, and come from the Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester. 

The judge regularly asked the individuals in front of him whether their own personal experiences will affect their feelings in the jury box, with female jurors especially being tricky to identify as being impartial, as most of the women have experienced or know someone who has experienced domestic violence, or sexual assault.

Building a picture

The questions asked by Judge Subramanian included whether they were already aware of the case; if they had any training or experience with sexual assault, domestic violence, psychology or addiction treatment; had they been a victim of crime or a traumatic event; their views about law enforcement; and even their opinion on hip hop artists.

Easily dismissed

Already one man was dismissed for expressing a strong dislike for police, saying if a law enforcement official testifies, he would “take it with a grain of salt”. He was unsurprisingly allowed to leave.

Two more got their marching orders simply because their grasp of the English language was deemed not strong enough to understand the judge’s questions.

Another woman had a whole host of days when she wasn’t available to come to court, including her son’s prom and high school graduation and her daughter’s birthday party, which raised an eyebrow or two. 

There was also a woman who worked as a photo producer for a major TV network that has produced a documentary about Combs, but she was allowed to move onto the next round of questions.

Case against continues to build

The rapper was arrested back on 16 September 2024, with an appearance in court the following day, at which a whole host of charges were read out. 

The case against him expanded in January this year with the coercing of two women into commercial sex acts and the hanging a person over an apartment balcony, added to his charge sheet. 

Further sex trafficking charges came to light last month too.

Bail repeatedly denied

Combs has been held in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, after his lawyers were unsuccessful in getting him released on bail ahead of the trial.

They argued that the conditions inside were “horrific” but a New York federal judge denied the bail request, describing the rapper as a “serious flight risk” after hearing from prosecutors that he had been breaking prison rules by contacting potential witnesses.

Facing life behind bars

During the pre-trial hearings it transpired that Combs turned down a plea deal from the government prosecutors, something that when questioned by the judge he confirmed that he was fully aware that the consequences of his decision meant he could receive a longer and harsher sentence, if convicted.

He actually faces up to life in prison if convicted on the racketeering charge, alone. He also is looking at another statutory minimum sentence of 15 years if he is found guilty of sex trafficking and the transportation for purposes of prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

He has pleaded not guilty of all charges against him and maintained that all said sexual encounters were consensual.