The trial of American music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is accused of operating a large-scale sex trafficking operation, is set to begin with the swearing-in of the jury on Monday. Opening statements from both sides will follow. Combs, 55, was arrested last September and is facing charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, he could potentially receive a life sentence. Combs has pleaded not guilty and refuted all accusations against him.
After screening numerous potential jurors, a final panel of 12 jurors and six alternates has been selected for the trial. Testimony in the first week will feature three witnesses, including two expected to give brief statements and a third who will spend more time testifying. Combs is also the subject of multiple civil lawsuits where individuals allege he used his influence to drug, assault, and intimidate them. He has dismissed these lawsuits as attempts to seek quick financial settlements.
To follow the trial, the public can attend the court proceedings, which will not be televised or live-streamed due to restrictions on cameras, phones, and electronic devices in federal courtrooms. The BBC will provide live updates as the trial progresses, starting with the jury seating and opening statements on Monday. The trial began with jury selection on May 5 in front of US District Judge Arun Subramanian at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouse in lower Manhattan, with a potential duration of approximately eight weeks.
Jurors were selected through a vetting process that involved reviewing a detailed list of people and places that may be mentioned during the trial, as well as completing questionnaires addressing their views on hip hop artists and feelings about violence and sexual assault. The judge emphasized the importance of selecting a fair and impartial jury, given that most potential jurors were already aware of the case’s allegations through news reports and footage showing Combs kicking his former girlfriend.
Combs faces federal criminal charges in New York, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. The most serious allegations pertain to the racketeering conspiracy charge, which involves claims of kidnapping, drugging, and coercing women into sexual activities using firearms or threats. Evidence seized during a raid on his Los Angeles residence allegedly indicated preparations for orgies referred to as “freak offs”, with supplies such as drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil found.
Additionally, Combs is the target of multiple lawsuits accusing him of rape and assault, with attorney Tony Buzbee handling some of these cases. According to Buzbee, over 100 women and men from across the US have either filed lawsuits against Combs or plan to do so. In one case from December 2023, a woman identified as Jane Doe alleged that she was “gang raped” by Combs and others in 2003 when she was 17, stating that she was provided with ”
Prior to the attack, there were extensive use of drugs and alcohol. Mr. Combs’ legal team dismissed the numerous lawsuits as mere publicity stunts. Mr. Combs and Cassie Ventura had an on-and-off relationship spanning over a decade. Mr. Combs’ legal troubles started in late 2023 with a lawsuit from Ms. Ventura, accusing him of violent abuse and rape. Although the lawsuit was settled swiftly, more claims of sexual assault surfaced dating back to 1991, which Mr. Combs vehemently denies. In a leaked CCTV footage from 2016, Mr. Combs was seen kicking his ex-girlfriend, leading to public outrage. Despite apologizing for his actions, the controversy persisted. His lawyers maintain his innocence, with one part of the federal indictment being challenged on racial bias grounds. If convicted on racketeering charges, Mr. Combs could face life in prison, along with other potential sentences for sex trafficking and prostitution charges. Held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Mr. Combs faces scrutiny over prison conditions but remains denied bail due to flight risk concerns. Accusations of witness tampering have also been made against him. Despite the legal battles, Mr. Combs continues to deny all allegations against him.
The rapper was dressed in a blue sweater and white shirt, with glasses perched on his head. How did Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs achieve success? Known by various names such as Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love, Mr. Combs rose to fame in the 1990s hip-hop scene. He played a pivotal role in the early success of artists like Mary J Blige and Christopher Wallace, also known as Biggie Smalls or The Notorious B.I.G. His music label, Bad Boy Records, became a prominent player in the rap industry, signing artists like Faith Evans, Ma$e, 112, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Lopez. Beyond music, Mr. Combs also found success in business ventures, including a partnership with Diageo to promote the vodka brand Cîroc. In 2023, he released his fifth album, The Love Album: Off The Grid, securing his first solo Grammy nomination and being honored as a Global Icon at the MTV Awards. Learn more about Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the allegations of sex trafficking against him in the BBC article “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Who is the US rapper accused of sex trafficking?” For the latest trial updates, tune in to the BBC Sounds ‘Diddy on Trial’ podcast, available on all major podcast platforms.
