PULSE POINTS:
What Happened: Jury selection begins in Sean Combs’s federal criminal trial.
Who’s Involved: Sean Combs, Cassie Ventura, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and jurors.
Where & When: Lower Manhattan, Monday, May 5, 2025.
Key Quote: “I would think the prosecution is looking for older people, I think they’re certainly looking for law and order people,” said Dr. Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, who has been consulted for dozens of jury trials.
Impact: If convicted, Combs could face decades in prison.
IN FULL:
Jury selection is commencing today in the federal criminal trial of music mogul and Democrat ally Sean Combs (also known as Diddy, P Diddy, or Puff Daddy), taking place in Lower Manhattan. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing serious charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. The charges stem from allegations of transporting sex workers across state lines and coercing women into participating in sex acts at drug-fueled parties. Combs’s legal team maintains that all activities were consensual.
The 55-year-old’s legal troubles began in November 2023 when singer Cassie Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against him, alleging rape, sex trafficking, and years of physical abuse. Combs settled the civil suit swiftly, but it triggered a criminal investigation. This led to federal raids on his properties in Miami and Los Angeles, resulting in the seizure of multiple devices. Combs has been held at a Brooklyn jail since his arrest in 2024.
As jury selection gets underway, experts suggest that the prosecution will seek older jurors who are likely to favor law and order. They will also be interested in prospective jurors’ views on the Me Too movement and experiences related to sexual assault. Many legal experts note that the jury selection process could take far longer than expected during any similar trial, as finding jurors who are relatively unaware of the case could prove difficult.
Ventura is expected to testify alongside three others who will remain anonymous. They are anticipated to provide testimony about being drugged and forced into participating in what have been described as “freak offs.” The trial itself is projected to last up to eight weeks, with the outcome determining whether Combs could spend decades behind bars.
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