Diddy trial begins with jury selection as shocking ¡®freak offs¡¯ and 2016 assault video set to be key evidence in court
The federal criminal trial of Sean ¡°Diddy¡± Combs begins with jury selection. He faces life in prison if convicted. Key evidence includes a 2016 assault video and Cassie Ventura's testimony. Prosecutors allege 20 years of abuse, coercion, and criminal activity.
The federal trial of music producer Sean ¡°Diddy¡± Combs has officially started with jury selection underway. Combs is facing multiple serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting people for prostitution. The case is being tried in Manhattan Federal Court and comes seven months after his indictment by the U.S. Attorney¡¯s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has been held at Brooklyn¡¯s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest. The court has scheduled opening statements to begin on May 12. Cameras will not be allowed inside the courtroom.
Charges and possible sentence
If convicted on all five federal counts, Sean Combs could face a life sentence. Prosecutors claim that from 2004 to 2024, Combs ran a criminal network using his music businesses. They allege this network was used to carry out serious crimes such as forced sex acts, bribery, kidnapping, and obstruction.
Key witnesses and evidence
The prosecution will rely on testimonies from four women. Three of them will testify under pseudonyms. The fourth, known as "Victim-1", is Cassie Ventura, Combs' former partner. In 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of rape and long-term abuse. That lawsuit was settled just one day later.
Combs is facing multiple serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting people for prostitution | Credit: X
The court has allowed Ventura to testify using her real name. A major piece of evidence is a 2016 surveillance video showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura. This footage resurfaced in May 2024 and led to a public apology from Combs on Instagram.
Allegations of manipulation and exploitation
According to prosecutors, Combs used drugs and false career promises to pressure victims into what they described as ¡°Freak Offs.¡± These were non-consensual sexual events that allegedly lasted for hours and were sometimes filmed. In addition, a former employee has accused Combs of forced labour.
Legal teams in court
Combs is being defended by a team of well-known lawyers including Mark Agnifilo, Teny Geragos, and Brian Steel, who is also known for defending rapper Young Thug. Representing the government are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Foster, Emily A. Johnson, Christy Slavik, Madison Reddick Smyser, and Mitzi Steiner.
Civil lawsuits not included
While Combs is also facing several civil lawsuits related to similar abuse claims, those are not part of this federal criminal case.
With jury selection complete, the Diddy trial now moves to the evidence stage where serious abuse claims and testimonies await.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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