Opening statements are expected to begin Monday after the formal selection of the jury in the high-profile trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The 55-year-old rapper went through four days of jury selection last week, which concluded this morning. The 12 jurors and six alternates will sit for the roughly eight-week-long trial in a Manhattan courtroom.
Lawyers used peremptory challenges to strike off some of the remaining 43 potential jurors whom they did not want at trial, at one point prompting Diddy’s defense team to accuse the US of striking more Black potential jurors than any other group.
While jury selection was slated to pick up again at 8:30 a.m., court proceedings were running about an hour behind schedule.
Combs is facing a sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. The music mogul was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged Combs and his associates threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024.
Two superseding indictments against the music mogul were added. In March, fresh allegations of “forced labor,” and in April, an additional charge of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Diddy has denied any accusations of wrongdoing and has rejected the government’s plea deal offer.
Four Diddy accusers set to testify at trial
Without publicly identifying the alleged victims, prosecutors said four of Diddy’s accusers will testify during the trial.
The prosecution will also be allowed to show the jury security videos of Combs beating and kicking one of his accusers, his former longtime girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, according to the Associated Press.
Diddy’s attorneys are expected to argue that with the 2016 footage, the government is demonizing sexual activity of consenting adults.
Isabel Keane12 May 2025 14:00
Diddy’s lawyers are accusing US of striking Black potential jurors more than any other group
Diddy’s lawyers have accused prosecutors of striking more Black potential jurors than any other group.
After Judge Subramanian read out the list of potential jurors, the rapper’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo noted, “The US struck 7 Black people, which amounts to a pattern.”
Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey then gave reasons to explain why prosecutors struck each prospective juror from the jury, according to the Associated Press.
Ariana Baio 12 May 2025 14:56
Judge Arun Subramanian enters court an hour behind schedule
Judge Arun Subramanian entered court just before 9:40 a.m. — over an hour behind schedule as jury selection was scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
Both sides have started striking jurors from the pool.
There will eventually be 12 jurors, 6 alternates and in an unusual move, an extra three potential alternates, according to the Washington Post.
The extra jurors were likely added in case people drop out over the course of the trial, which is expected to last eight weeks.
Isabel Keane12 May 2025 14:52
What is expected to happen in court today?
It’s a beautiful day in downtown Manhattan, but those attending, what is expected to be the first day of the Diddy trial, will not get to see much of it.
Monday morning’s case was slated to start at 8:30 a.m. with the rest of jury selection, which was expected to last an hour or so.
However, by 9:30 a.m., no jurors had been seated.
Once jurors are selected, Judge Arun Subramanian is then going to head into opening arguments – which is what most of the long line of spectators and Diddy’s family is here for.
The prosecution is expected to bring three witnesses to the stand today, including a male escort and possibly Diddy’s ex longtime girlfriend Cassie Ventura, according to the Washington Post.
Isabel Keane12 May 2025 14:45
Who is there to support Diddy?
Diddy’s seven children and his mother, Janice Combs, were all pictured walking into the Manhattan courthouse Monday morning.
His eldest son, Justin, led his pack of siblings into the courthouse.
Combs’ other children, Christian (King) Combs, Jessie Combs, Chance Combs, D’Lila Combs and Jessie Combs, walked in behind him holding hands.
Isabel Keane12 May 2025 14:31
Diddy enters the courtroom, blows kiss to family
Diddy entered the courtroom just before 9 a.m. and gave a warm welcome to his relatives and legal team.
The rapper could be seen embracing and shaking hands with his legal team before blowing a kiss to his relatives, the Washington Post reported.
He is wearing either a light gray or taupe-colored sweater and khaki pants.
The court already appears to be running behind schedule.
Officials wanted proceedings to begin at 8:30 a.m., but Combs only entered the courtroom just before 9 a.m.
Isabel Keane12 May 2025 14:19
Diddy’s seven children enter the courthouse holding hands
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ seven children all appeared to enter the courthouse Monday as opening statements are set to begin in their father’s sex trafficking trial.
Six of his children, Christian (King) Combs, Jessie Combs, Chance Combs, D’Lila Combs and Jessie Combs, held hands while entering the building while his son, Justin Combs, walked in front of the group.
Combs’ mother, Janice Combs, also appeared to enter the building.
Ariana Baio 12 May 2025 13:32
Marc and Karen Agnifilo enter the courthouse
Lawyers Marc and Karen Agnifilo filed into the courthouse shortly after 8 a.m.
Ariana Baio 12 May 2025 13:17
Lengthy line of journalists and spectators begin entering the courthouse — as well as Diddy’s lawyer
People in line to catch a glimpse of the Diddy trial started filing into the courthouse just before 8 a.m. Monday.
The line, spanning down the block of the courthouse, included some people who had waited out overnight to get a good spot.
Just after 8 a.m., one of Diddy’s lawyers walked in followed by prosecutors carrying boxes.
Ariana Baio 12 May 2025 13:02
Some have waited in line for hours — and even overnight
YouTubers with the channel “Rotten Mango” have held their spot in line since 8 p.m. Sunday.
They told The Independent it was a group effort to help them organize and prepare for Monday morning’s jury selection.
Ariana Baio 12 May 2025 12:49
