Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing one of the most high-powered legal battles of his career as his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial continues in Manhattan. The 55-year-old music mogul, who has been in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest, faces five felony charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, Combs could face a life sentence.
Jury selection began on May 5 and is expected to conclude by May 9, with opening statements slated for May 12. The process has proven challenging due to Diddy’s high-profile status, with potential jurors being questioned on their knowledge of the case and their ability to remain impartial. Some jurors were dismissed for expressing biases, including one individual who claimed that Diddy could “buy his way out of jail.”
Combs’ defense team, led by prominent attorney Benjamin Brafman, is pushing for a fair jury despite media frenzy and public speculation. Brafman argued that Combs’ reputation should not influence the trial’s outcome, emphasizing the need for impartiality.
The prosecution claims that Diddy orchestrated what they call “freak offs,” drug-fueled, coercive sexual encounters spanning two decades. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his wealth and influence to manipulate young women into degrading situations, often involving coercion and physical assault.
One of the most critical pieces of evidence presented is surveillance footage from 2016, showing Combs allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Ventura, who recently spoke out about her past relationship with Diddy, is expected to testify, along with several other alleged victims.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that any encounters were consensual. His legal team argues that the prosecution’s narrative is rooted in exaggeration and that the government’s case is based on “mischaracterizations of consensual relationships.” They also intend to challenge the admissibility of some of the evidence, claiming it lacks context.
“Sean Combs is not guilty of these heinous charges,” states Brafman. “We intend to prove that these relationships were consensual and that the government’s case is built on misleading narratives.”
Social media has been buzzing since the trial began, with opinions split on whether Diddy’s wealth and celebrity status will impact the outcome. Combs’ appearance during jury selection is also drawing attention. Sporting gray hair and a more subdued demeanor, Diddy’s court presence sharply contrasts with his once-lavish persona.
As jury selection wraps up and the trial formally kicks off, all eyes will be on the opening statements on May 12. The trial is expected to last around eight weeks, with testimonies from alleged victims, former associates, and character witnesses shaping the court’s perception of Diddy’s actions.
If found guilty, Combs could spend the rest of his life behind bars, marking a tragic fall from his storied career as a music mogul and cultural icon.
