Jury Selection Delayed for Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial Starting May 12 Amid Missing Key Witness

Jury selection for the federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs began on May 5, 2025, at the Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan. The process extended over several days, with a pool of 45 qualified jurors initially selected. However, the final jury of 12 members and six alternates was not finalized as planned on May 9 and has been postponed to May 12. The delay was partly due to concerns that some jurors might experience apprehension before the trial's start. Opening statements are scheduled to begin on May 12. The trial is expected to last approximately eight weeks and is considered one of the highest-profile cases for a new unit of civil rights prosecutors. The charges against Combs carry potential penalties of decades or even life imprisonment if convicted. During the jury selection, the court admonished one of Combs's lawyers for making racially charged remarks referring to prosecutors as a "six-pack of white women." Additionally, prosecutors have acknowledged the possibility of proceeding without a key witness who has reportedly gone missing ahead of the trial. Combs's defense team is reportedly focused on identifying and excluding jurors with potential biases. The trial has attracted considerable media attention, with several celebrities mentioned during jury selection. The case is seen as potentially one of the largest #MeToo-related prosecutions to date.