The second many people have been ready for is right here: Sean “Diddy” Combs is headed to trial on federal intercourse crime costs. He made a weak admission earlier than the court docket as jury choice acquired began…and issues are a bit juicier than we anticipated this early on.
Combs attended his jury choice listening to in Manhattan federal court docket Monday. It was his first time having the ability to gown in enterprise apparel versus his tan jail jumpsuit. Combs wore a blue sweater pulled over a white button-down, per The New York Publish. Nonetheless, the rapper was noticeably grayer in his hair and beard, contemplating he can’t dye his hair behind bars, although he seems to have been given a haircut.
Greater than 150 potential jurors had been anticipated to return earlier than the court docket to be questioned by the prosecutors, Combs’ protection attorneys in addition to Choose Arun Subramanian. Among the jurors acknowledged that they did hear the information in regards to the costs introduced towards the rapper, per USA TODAY. One even said she appreciated an Instagram video of a comic making a “child oil” joke. She was allowed to advance within the jury pool regardless of the confession as a result of she said she may nonetheless make neutral choices on the case, The Publish reported.
One other potential juror who expressed nervousness in regards to the case as a result of previous trauma from sexual assault was additionally allowed on the jury after Subramanian stated she was “cautious” in her responses to questions, per USA TODAY.
Nonetheless, jurors who admitted to watching the leaked surveillance video of the rapper hitting and dragging singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura had been struck from the jury pool, per The AP. One other struck potential juror is a chief advertising officer at Simon & Schuster who advised the court docket her employer deliberate to publish Al B. Positive’s memoir.
Amongst different questions, jurors had been requested in the event that they acknowledged a laundry listing of superstar names together with Michael B. Jordan and Kanye West. They had been additionally requested questions relating to polygamy, swinging and total views of the hip-hop business, the reviews say. As jurors stored coming out and in, Combs requested the decide for a loo break, per The AP.
“I’m sorry, your honor. I’m just a little nervous at this time,” he stated.
About Diddy’s Federal Intercourse Crime Case
The 55-year-old rap mogul was arrested again in September in Manhattan by federal authorities, six months after they raided his two houses in Los Angeles and Miami. The allegations towards Combs of sexual abuse, bodily abuse, bribery and numerous drug offenses had been first introduced forth by ex-girlfriend and Dangerous Boy Information signee Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a lawsuit.
Probably the most notable claims had been about his so-called “freak off” intercourse events, the place prosecutors allege ladies and men had been drugged and compelled to carry out sexual acts at Combs’ pleasure. He was additionally accused of utilizing video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance.
Combs shortly settled with Ventura inside 24 hours, however lawsuits from different associates have shortly adopted within the months since. Most notably, over 100 plaintiffs are being represented by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee who stated his purchasers have made claims of rape, sexual exploitation and sexual assault towards the rapper.
Whereas most of the fits since 2023 have been civil, this federal case has Combs going through legal costs. He has pleaded not responsible, and was denied bail. Trial is anticipated to final eight weeks.