Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex crimes trial officially got underway as jury selection kicked off in Manhattan. The courtroom saw a steady flow of potential jurors, each questioned individually by Judge Arun Subramanian, the prosecution, and the defense team. The goal? Narrow the pool to 45 qualified individuals over the course of three days, though Judge Subramanian joked the process might feel as long as the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
According to USA Today, Combs, 55, entered the courtroom around 9 a.m. from a Brooklyn detention center, dressed in a white shirt layered under a dark sweater, sporting sunglasses and a salt-and-pepper beard. He greeted his attorneys with hugs before the serious business of jury selection began.
The court questioned each juror individually about their knowledge of the case. Several admitted to having seen media coverage or viral content tied to the accusations against the music mogul. One juror even acknowledged “liking” a social media post that joked about baby oil, a detail linked to alleged sex parties described in Combs’ indictment. “I remember liking it because I thought it was funny,” they explained. Despite this, they were allowed to continue, stating they could remain unbiased.
Others weren’t as lucky. The court dismissed several potential jury members, especially those with personal or family experiences involving sexual violence. One man, identified as Juror No. 2, revealed that his sister had been physically assaulted years ago but stated that it wouldn’t affect his ability to remain impartial.
Combs is facing serious federal charges, including rape and sex trafficking, and has pleaded not guilty. Earlier this month, he rejected a plea deal. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. The jury will remain anonymous throughout the trial to protect them from outside influence or harassment.
