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Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Federal Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial Begins Jury Selection in New York Amid Potential Life Sentence

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Updated May 7, 2025, 03:59 PM

The federal sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs commenced on May 5, 2025, in a Manhattan federal court with the start of jury selection. Combs, 55, faces multiple felony charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, which prosecutors allege involved using his business empire's influence to sexually abuse and exploit women over several decades. If convicted on all counts, Combs could face a life sentence. The trial follows his arrest in September 2024 and is expected to last approximately eight weeks.

Jury selection has been challenging due to the high-profile nature of the case and extensive media coverage. Potential jurors have been questioned about their familiarity with the allegations, including exposure to videos of alleged assaults, and have been asked about celebrity names such as Kanye West, Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan, Kid Cudi, and Yung Miami, which may be referenced during the trial. Combs appeared in court with gray hair and expressed feeling "a little nervous" during the proceedings. His defense team includes multiple attorneys, with recent additions including Nicole Westmoreland, a Black female lawyer. The prosecution has criticized Combs' legal team for consulting with celebrity attorney Mark Geragos in open court without clearance, leading to judicial admonishment. Media outlets like ABC News have launched daily streaming shows to cover the trial developments. The selection process aims to seat 12 jurors and six alternates, with the judge bringing in about 50 prospective jurors daily. Observers note the difficulty in finding impartial jurors given the widespread public knowledge of the case. Opening statements are anticipated to begin the week following jury selection. The trial is closely watched given Combs' prominence in hip-hop and entertainment culture.

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#Manhattan #Combs #Kanye West #Mike Myers #Kid Cudi #Yung Miami #Nicole Westmoreland #Black #Mark Geragos #ABC News

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Sources

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New York Times Music

@nytimesmusic

Sean Combs's trial is being held at the Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan and is expected to last eight weeks. Here’s a primer on the charges and what’s at stake for the music mogul. https://t.co/l2lziUD1qO

Inner City Press

@innercitypress

OK - now US v. Sean Combs Day 3 jury selection - as peremptory challenges pushed to Friday https://t.co/28ZovclyLc Inner City Press wrote books https://t.co/dPYRDFf6Ve & https://t.co/z3oxoQgqng…… and will live tweet, thread below https://t.co/0yCa63jzUJ

Inner City Press

@innercitypress

VLOG May 7 Sean Combs Day 3 Jury Selection https://t.co/28ZovclyLc Cuba Gooding Jr & Justin out of Lil Rod case https://t.co/hPmHPiK49k Tillis: Clayton for DC? SDNY asks time served for Kolfage: https://t.co/4bS5xrGKlQ UN staff tell SG @AntonioGuterres to resign https://t.co/R3a7EdFiat