Diddy trial: 35 total jurors moving on
NEW YORK CITY - Sean "Diddy" Combs, one of the most influential figures in music and business over the last three decades, is standing trial on sweeping federal charges.
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Prosecutors also allege Combs used force and coercion to get victims to engage in what he called "Freak Offs," which were often recorded and could last days.
What's happening today?
Another three dozen prospective jurors were expected to be questioned. A jury was not likely before Wednesday.
Diddy trial live updates from the courtroom
11:20 a.m. — Jury selection continues in the Diddy trial. Two prospective jurors were struck after sharing strong opinions in their questionnaires — one saying "P Diddy has a lot of money at his discretion… probably to buy his way out of jail," and another admitting they "lean towards him committing crimes." A practicing lawyer was also dismissed after revealing he had read a USA Today article about the case. While several jurors said they’ve seen the hotel surveillance video, that alone hasn’t disqualified them.
12:45 p.m. — A woman was excused from the jury for health reasons. Potential jurors who might be on the edge of being fit for service were reminded by the judge about the demanding nature of the trial. They will need to sit through long hours in the courtroom and endure up to eight weeks of testimony, which includes graphic and explicit content related to a sexual assault case. The judge asked if they could handle both the time commitment and the potentially traumatic videos. (FOX 5 NY's Lisa Evers)
12:51 p.m. — Judge Arun Subramanian expressed a goal of completing jury selection by Wednesday night, acknowledging the tight timeline but noting that the prosecutor had assured him it was possible. Currently, the judge is personally questioning potential jurors, making clear what is expected of them and addressing concerns as they arise. (FOX 5 NY's Lisa Evers)
5:18 p.m. — The court saw 39 jurors today, and 16 are moving on, making a total of 35. The goal is to have 45 jurors by tomorrow, leaving two days -- Thursday and Friday -- for the parties to choose the jury. Overall, 71 jurors have been seen in two days. (FOX 5 NY's Brendan Williams)
5:19 p.m. — FOX 5 has confirmed that potential jurors include a middle school physical education teacher, a mover who finds work on Taskrabbit and a massage therapist and actor who belongs to SAG-AFTRA and the Actors’ Equity unions. There is also an HBO photo producer who has worked on marketing materials for "The White Lotus," "The Last of Us" and "Real Time With Bill Maher." This potential juror’s employment at HBO caused concern among Combs’ defense team, who pointed out that the associated streamer, Max, aired a "negative" docuseries titled "The Fall of Diddy" from Investigation Discovery. (FOX 5 NY's Brendan Williams)
What happened on Monday?
The federal sex trafficking trial began yesterday in New York City with jury selection that was briefly paused when the hip-hop entrepreneur said he was "a little nervous" and needed a bathroom break.
Three dozen potential jurors were questioned by Judge Arun Subramanian about their answers to a questionnaire meant to help determine if they could be fair and impartial at a trial that will feature violent and sexually explicit videos. Opening statements and the start of testimony are scheduled for next week.
The judge gave the would-be jurors a brief description of the sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges against Combs, telling them he'd pleaded not guilty and was presumed innocent.
By day's end, the jury pool was half its size as some were excluded for personal reasons such as inability to economically endure a trial projected to last two months or because their opinions or past experiences would endanger their objectivity.
Throughout Monday, Combs, 55, sat with his lawyers in a sweater over a white collared shirt and gray slacks, which the judge had allowed rather than jail clothing. He's been held in a grim federal lockup in Brooklyn since his arrest last September. His hair and goatee were almost fully gray because dye isn’t allowed in jail.
Several prospective jurors indicated they'd seen news reports featuring a key piece of evidence in the case: a video of the hip-hop mogul hitting and kicking one of his accusers in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. One prospective juror described a still image she saw from the video as "damning evidence." That woman was rejected from consideration.
After another juror was dismissed, Combs asked for a bathroom break, telling the judge, "I’m sorry your honor, I’m a little nervous today."
One prospective juror said she had posted a "like" to a video on social media by a comedian who joked about large amounts of baby oil found by law enforcement in one of Combs' homes. She was not dismissed.
Is the Diddy trial going to be televised?
Unlike other recent high-profile celebrity trials, Combs’ court case won’t be broadcast live because federal courtrooms don’t allow electronic recordings inside — meaning courtroom sketch artists serve as the public’s eyes in the courtroom.
Key evidence
A central piece of evidence is a surveillance video from March 2016 that shows Combs striking and kicking his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Prosecutors say the assault occurred during one of the so-called events.
November 16, 2023
Cassie says in a lawsuit that Combs subjected her to years of abuse, including beatings and rape. Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, signed to Combs' label in 2005, and the two were on-again-off-again romantic partners for more than a decade, starting in 2007.
Video appears to show Diddy assaulting girlfriend
A 2016 surveillance video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
The lawsuit filed in federal court says Combs was "prone to uncontrollable rage" and subjected her to "savage" beatings. It says he plied her with drugs, forced her to have sex with other men, and raped her in her home as she was trying to end the relationship in 2018. Combs, through his attorney, "vehemently denies" the accusations.
Who is Diddy?
Sean "Diddy" Combs rose to fame in the 1990s as the founder of Bad Boy Records, helping launch the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Justin Bieber, Usher and so many more. Beyond music, he built a global brand spanning fashion, beverages, and television. Throughout his career, he has gone by names like Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Diddy.
Diddy is seen on June 05, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
He remains one of New York’s most iconic entertainment figures — a fact that could complicate jury selection for this high-profile case. Federal prosecutors have charged Combs with a series of crimes including:
Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy
Count One charges that, from at least in or about 2004 through in or about 2024, the defendant participated in a racketeering conspiracy during which he agreed with other employees and associates of his businesses to commit kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution.
Count 2: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion
Count Two charges the defendant with sex trafficking an adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between in or about 2009 and in or about 2018.
- MORE: Diddy reportedly accused by three more men of sexual assault in NYC
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Count 3: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution
Count Three charges the defendant with transporting that female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between in or about 2009 and in or about 2018.
- Count 4: Count Four charges the defendant with sex-trafficking a second adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between in or about 2021 and in or about 2024.
- Count Five charges the defendant with transporting that second female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between in or about 2021 and in or about 2024.
- Additional charge: Mann Act charge filed April 3 and an allegation that he forced a woman into sex trafficking between 2021 and 2023. The Mann Act is a federal law that makes it a crime to transport someone across state lines for illegal sexual activity.
At the center of the allegations are what investigators call "Freak Off" parties, where victims were allegedly drugged, coerced and exploited.
In March, Combs' homes were raided by Homeland Security in connection with a human trafficking investigation. (Getty Images)
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- MORE: Diddy reportedly accused by three more men of sexual assault in NYC
- MORE: Diddy charges explained: Racketeering and sex trafficking allegations
What is in the indictment?
In a blistering three-count indictment, Diddy is accused of running an enterprise to fulfill his sexual desires.
From around 2009 and for years, he allegedly assaulted women by striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects, and kicking them.
The indictment claims he operated under "The Combs Enterprise," which includes Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises, and Combs Global, involving individuals and activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce.
It also details Diddy's "Freak Off parties," where he and his associates allegedly lured female victims and then coerced them into sex acts with commercial sex workers.
Diddy held behind bars in Brooklyn
Since his arrest, Combs has been held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn — the borough where he was born and raised.
Sources tell FOX 5 NY that security around his holding location has been heightened due to his celebrity status.
What is Diddy accused of?
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing serious charges that include sexual assault, sex trafficking, drugging, coercion, and racketeering. These allegations span across multiple civil and criminal lawsuits, with some plaintiffs claiming that Diddy used his wealth and power to exploit and abuse vulnerable individuals.
- MORE: Diddy indictment: Baby oil, 'Freak Off' parties explained
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The charges stem from various accusations, including participation in "Freak Off" parties, where victims were allegedly drugged and coerced into sex acts. Combs has been accused of multiple counts of abuse, trafficking, and obstruction of justice.
Diddy indictment
The federal indictment against Diddy includes eight counts. The charges are extensive and include racketeering and sex trafficking, as well as more specific allegations of drugging victims and keeping an enormous supply of baby oil, orchestrating the "Freak Off" parties, and money laundering. The indictment paints a disturbing picture of a powerful figure using his influence to exploit and abuse vulnerable individuals, including minors.
How many years does he face?
In the context of Diddy’s legal troubles, the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charge plays a crucial role in the prosecution’s case. According to the FBI, RICO laws allow authorities to target organizations or individuals engaged in patterns of criminal behavior over time, including activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, extortion, and fraud.
In Diddy’s case, federal prosecutors have included RICO charges as part of the broader criminal indictment, alleging that he orchestrated a "freak off" sex trafficking operation, which involved drugging and coercing victims into sex acts. These allegations suggest a coordinated, long-term pattern of criminal behavior, which is a key component of what RICO is designed to address. The RICO charge helps prosecutors target not only Diddy but also any associates or business entities that may have been involved in a broader criminal enterprise.
As part of the case, Diddy faces allegations of racketeering, which could lead to significant penalties if convicted, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines, highlighting the severity of the charges.
‘Freak Offs’
The "Freak Offs" are described by federal prosecutors as private parties organized by Diddy, where participants were allegedly drugged and coerced into performing sex acts. These gatherings, at times, reportedly involved minors. Diddy is accused of trafficking victims and providing drugs to facilitate the abuse. Authorities are investigating further claims that these "Freak Off" parties were part of a larger pattern of sex trafficking.
History of Diddy
Diddy, originally known as Puff Daddy, became famous in the 1990s when he founded Bad Boy Records. He launched the careers of iconic hip-hop artists like The Notorious B.I.G., and the label became one of the most successful in the music industry. Diddy expanded his influence into fashion with Sean John, and into television with the reality show "Making the Band." His business savvy and larger-than-life persona made him a dominant figure in pop culture.
1999 NYC nightclub shooting
In 1999, Diddy was involved in a shooting at a nightclub in New York City, which led to charges of bribery and weapon possession. The shooting occurred while Diddy was dating Jennifer Lopez. He was acquitted of all charges. Although this event does not relate directly to the current trial, it is part of Diddy's controversial history.
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Who are Diddy’s family members?
Diddy has six biological children with various women, including Kim Porter and Sarah Chapman. He is also the father of Quincy Brown, Porter’s son from a prior relationship. His family has been central to his public image, with his children and his late ex-partner Kim Porter making regular appearances in the media. Porter’s tragic death in 2018 deeply affected Diddy, and he has publicly spoken about the impact it had on his life.
- MORE: Diddy family tree: The rapper’s kids, their moms, and Kim Porter explained
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When was Diddy arrested and what happened?
Diddy was arrested in October 2024 at a New York City hotel on charges related to sex trafficking and drugging victims. A newly released video shows the moment of his arrest, which included his handcuffing and questioning. Authorities continue to investigate his connections to "Freak Off" parties and potential human trafficking.