Jury selection continued on Tuesday in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs in Manhattan’s federal court. The court must seat a panel of 18 New Yorkers — 12 jurors and six alternates — before opening statements on May 12.
Prosecutors brought a five-count indictment against the 55-year-old music mogul, accusing him of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
The rapper was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged Combs and his associates threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires.” This included “Freak Offs,” recorded sex performances that prosecutors say Diddy arranged and forced victims to participate in. During searches of his homes, authorities said they seized supplies such as narcotics and 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil.
Since then, prosecutors have brought two superseding indictments against the music mogul. In March, fresh allegations of “forced labor,” and in April, an additional charge of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Diddy has also been the subject of civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, rape and misconduct, with some cases dating to the 1990s. He’s denied any accusations of wrongdoing and has rejected the government’s plea deal offer.
Key Points
- How does jury selection work?
- What do we know about the jurors picked on Tuesday?
- Diddy once a ‘Bad Boy for Life’ and ran an empire — on Monday he was just a meek defendant
- ‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
- Which famous names have been mentioned so far?
Thank you for joining us for today's coverage
22:29 , Oliver O'Connell
Thank you for following developments with us today.
We are now pausing our live coverage overnight and will resume tomorrow morning for day three of jury selection.
Until then, here’s Kelly Rissman’s report from Monday in court as a diminished-looking Diddy appeared for the start of proceedings.
Diddy was once a ‘Bad Boy for Life.’ At the start of his trial, he’s a meek defendant
Judge Subramanian intends to build a pool of 45 prospective jurors from which the 12 members of the jury and six alternates can be selected.
By the close of Monday, 19 had been picked, and by lunch on Tuesday, another six were added, so the group should be well over halfway to reaching the target.
Court adjourns
22:16 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter a brief sidebar with the lawyers, Judge Arun Subramanian adjourns court for the day, warning potential jurors not to read or post anything about the case.
After the panel departs, the lawyers agreed to strike more jurors from the pool.
What do we know about today's jurors?
22:06 , Oliver O'ConnellAs with Monday’s jury pool, this final stage of questioning has provided some insight into the lives of the potential jurors.
They live across the New York region, though Bronxville, Manhattan, Westchester, the Bronx, and Hell’s Kitchen were mentioned. It’s worth noting that the city boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, and the suburbs of Long Island are not in the Southern District of New York federal court area.
Professionally, they work in oncology, legal services for women, kitchen design, manufacturing, medical services, banking, teaching for the blind, and for the MTA. One person recently left a job at WWE; another is a retired Navy Ship repairer; and another is a pilot for American Airlines.
For news, they go to NBC Nightly News, Today, Facebook, 1010 WINS, Morning Joe, YouTube, Reddit, or rely on alerts on their phone.
Other media mentioned included Essence magazine, The Athletic, ESPN, FS1, The New Yorker, and Men’s Health.
For entertainment, they watch Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Severance, Law & Order, American Idol, Survivor, Amazing Race, The Real Housewives, Basketball Wives, or stream Netflix, HBO, or Disney+.
Musically, they are into R&B, hip hop, Dave Brubeck, salsa, reggaeton, jazz, emo rock, Billy Joel, bachata, afrobeat, house music, gospel, alternative rock, and country.
In sport, they support Ohio State Football, the Knicks, the Mets (”since they became good again”), and in the WNBA, the New York Liberty.
And in any spare time they have left, they enjoy running, shooting hoops, dancing, going to Trader Joe’s, woodworking, biking, hiking, scuba diving, and surfing.
Questioning moves to the group stage
21:40 , Oliver O'ConnellThe non-excluded or excused jurors have been brought back into court together to give biographical information about jobs, hobbies, where they live, and what media they consume.
What were the jury questionnaire questions on graphic and sexually explicit materials?
21:38 , Oliver O'ConnellIn the extensive jury questionnaire that potential jurors were asked to fill out, there were two notable questions regarding the inclusion of “graphic” or “sexually explicit” videos or photographs.
There may be evidence of graphic videos and photographs, including videos of physical violence, in connection with this case. Is there anything about the nature of this evidence that would make it difficult for you to be fair and impartial?
It would be safe to assume this covers the Cassie video from the hotel hallway that several potential jurors have already seen.
There may be evidence of sexually explicit videos, photographs and language in connection with the case. Would such evidence interfere with your ability to sit fairly and impartially in hearing the evidence or lack of evidence?
Given the nature of the allegations against Diddy, this is not a surprising question and already one juror has been excused after saying she would not be able to cope with such material.
Juror excluded for bias toward victims from own experience
21:28 , Oliver O'ConnellA juror explained to Judge Subramanian that they had been sexually assaulted when they were 19.
Sympathetically asked if they could still be on the case, they reply that if the defense were to argue the victims didn’t report the alleged incidents when they happen, they would understand why that would be and would be biased in their favor
The judge excludes the juror from the jury pool.
Judge grows frustrated over inclusion of some jurors
21:25 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter excusing for cause the husband of a uniformed victim advocate in the Marine Corps in South Carolina over potential bias in favor of Diddy’s alleged victims, Judge Subramanian becomes frustrated with both parties after the next juror takes the stand.
The juror tells the judge that they have difficulty with English and so are excused, with Subramanian then turning to the defense and prosecution, asking why this keeps happening.
He says that he asked the parties to agree to set aside some jurors with issues like this - it takes us at least five minutes each time, noting that they are running out of time.
Subramanian adds that he wants both teams to have time to prepare for the trial.
Juror struck for being investigator on criminal fraud case
21:01 , Oliver O'ConnellA juror who works at the New York City Department of Investigation is excluded, as he is currently working with the South District of New York on a criminal fraud case.
Juror excused over ongoing legal case and M&A deal
20:54 , Oliver O'ConnellA potential juror tells Judge Subramanian that he is involved in an ongoing personal injury case after he was assaulted by his stepmother at his late father’s house. He is also in a probate case over the estate.
The judge also notes that he is involved in an M&A deal and excuses him from serving.
Another juror acknowledges having seen the hotel video but maintains he can be fair and remains in the pool.
Juror 247 (male) I saw about the video, the elevator, but I can be fair. [Leaves - no motions - he's in the pool]
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 6, 2025
Juror 252 (male) I work at the NYC Dep't of Investigation. My fiancee does too. We look into bid rigging, stolen time, fraud against the City.
Pace quickens again
20:30 , Oliver O'ConnellThe speed at which the court is working through jurors appears to have quickened again.
Defense lawyers pass forward a question to Judge Subramanian about the response from a juror who wrote that he understood a producer accused Combs of forcing him into having sex.
The juror, an engineer, responds that he thinks he heard that on NPR, as he doesn’t really care for celebrity news.
He will remain in the jury pool.
Another juror is excused for cause after saying she cannot speak about sex.
Demonstrating the problems of a high-profile trial that touches on popular culture, music, and celebrity, a third juror says that he has seen content about the case on social media, but “nothing too deep,” including the video from the hotel.
“Everything is circumstantial,” he says, before describing the “LA lifestyle” that he presumably associates with Combs as “fast and loose.”
The juror, a pilot for American Airlines, is allowed to remain in the jury pool.
Two more jurors excused for cause
20:25 , Oliver O'ConnellTwo more jurors are excused for cause, one on medical grounds for Crohn’s disease.
Concerns over juror’s negative interactions with police, but he remains in jury pool
20:16 , Oliver O'ConnellA New York City Transit employee will remain in the jury pool despite concerns from prosecutors over negative interactions with the police when he was younger, including a charge of assaulting a police officer that was dropped.
The juror says he used to be biased against the police, but now he knows some officers. He was also once arrested for being in possession of a gravity knife (illegal in the U.S.) and was a victim of crime once when his sneakers were stolen while he was unconscious.
Despite saying he could be fair when considering testimony from law enforcement, prosecutors moved to strike for cause over his history with the police.
The defense opposed striking him, saying that he had grown up and that his answers were honest and revealing. The prosecution countered that he was arrested twice after his apparent epiphany about the police.
After quickly seeing another juror with whom neither side had grounds to strike, the juror was brought back to court for further questions.
After establishing a third incident with the police was when he shoved an officer who pushed him when shutting down a party, Judge Subramanian says he will not strike the juror.
What we won't hear at the trial
20:00 , APSince 2023, dozens of women and men have been filing lawsuits against Combs, claiming that he sexually or physically abused them. Many of those people said they were slipped drugs at events hosted by Combs and were abused while they were incapacitated.
Combs has denied all of the allegations through his lawyers.
Some of those lawsuits have claimed that other celebrities were either present for or participated in the abuse.
The great majority of those allegations, however, aren't part of the criminal case. Prosecutors have chosen to focus on a relatively small number of accusers and allegations where there is physical evidence or corroboration by witnesses.
Judge strikes juror after defense says he has agenda
19:49 , Oliver O'ConnellA former bank employee who now works in collectibles (baseball cards, comic books) was struck from the jury pool after lawyers for Diddy claimed he had an agenda and wanted to be on the jury.
Combs' Agnifilo: This man has an agenda. He tried to backpedal to get on the jury. He's turning to the parties and selling himself. He's trying to get on this jury.
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 6, 2025
Judge: I've got it. He'll be struck (laughs)
AUSA: You asked of bias, he said No.
Judge: He's out
Juror excused over marijuana use
19:34 , Oliver O'ConnellA landlord from the Bronx, currently in the midst of evicting a tenant, was excused from the jury pool after being candid about his marijuana use.
Judge Subramanian asked him if he could not use the drug during the trial, saying he would order that. In later questions, he said he had last used it the previous night and it would be hard for him to go the length of the trial without marijuana.
Prosecutors asked the judge to excuse him, which he did, saying: “He was honest.”
Juror questions proceed at quick pace
19:19 , Oliver O'ConnellFollowing lunch, the pace at which the court is moving through individual questioning of potential jurors appears to have picked up.
A man who previously served on a jury in the Bronx will remain in the pool, and a woman who imports avocados says he uncle being in the NYPD makes her biased toward law enforcement.
She is excused for cause.
Another woman is also excused to attend her son’s graduation in the second week of June (while also saying she heard a song about the case on a Russian comedy channel).
Freelance worker excused for cause
19:14 , Oliver O'ConnellA freelance worker told Judge Subramanian that if she’s not able to work, she doesn’t get paid.
The judge agreed to excuse her for cause — remember that the trial is expected to last about eight weeks.
Assault victim struck from jury pool
19:12 , Oliver O'ConnellThe personal experiences of jurors can weigh heavily on whether they can be impartial in a trial.
In this case, a female juror explained that she was assaulted by the girlfriend of an ex-partner and had to file a police report.
She appeared hesitant about whether she could be fair about certain testimony regarding violence.
Judge Subramanian opted to exclude her from the pool after she left the room.
Jury selection in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial proceeds for a second day
19:06 , Oliver O'ConnellJury selection resumed for a second day in the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs as a federal judge and lawyers worked Tuesday to find a dozen New Yorkers who believe they can be fair despite any opinions they may have developed about the music mogul.
Read on...
Jury selection in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial proceeds for a second day
Social worker remains in pool
18:57 , Oliver O'ConnellThe next juror tells the court he is a security guard and social worker specializing in child neglect — a point clarified after a question from the defense team asking to know in what specific field he works.
He confirms he can be fair in assessing the case and will remain in the jury pool.
Court resumes
18:51 , Oliver O'ConnellCourt resumes following lunch, and the next potential juror will remain in the pool for the trial.
She has previous trial experience on a jury in Philadelphia some 20 years ago and has also seen the hotel hallway video — which she found disturbing.
Asked if she can be fair in her assessment of the evidence, she replies yes.
The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
18:48 , Oliver O'ConnellFrom “Puff Daddy” to “P. Diddy” and even the obscure “Brother Love,” here's a look back at Combs' self-appointed names and what was going on during his career in each era.
From P to Brother Love: The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
Who are the witnesses and what is the evidence against Diddy?
18:20 , APWithout identifying them publicly, prosecutors have said four of Sean “Diddy” Combs' accusers will testify at the trial.
The prosecution will be allowed to show the jury security video of Combs beating and kicking one of his accusers, the R&B singer Cassie, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Diddy's attorneys are expected to argue at trial that the government is demonizing and distorting the sexual activity of consenting adults. They have also argued that two of Combs' longtime girlfriends willingly brought a male sex worker into their relationship.
Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, was Combs' on-again-off-again romantic partner for more than a decade. Her 2023 lawsuit against Combs alleging years of abuse, including rape, began the scrutiny that eventually led to his prosecution.
The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Ventura did.
How did we get here? Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the rise of his ‘criminal enterprise’
17:52 , Oliver O'ConnellSheila Flynn writes:
The most honest thing Sean Combs may have ever done was name his record label “Bad Boy.”
Although 54-year-old Combs – aka Puff Daddy, aka Puffy, aka P. Diddy, Diddy and Love – has been orchestrating a lot more than just braggadocious “bad” behavior during the intervening decades, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday. Instead, it charges, he’s been the veritable architect and leader of a “criminal enterprise” engaged in alleged arson, kidnapping, forced labor, bribery, obstruction of justice and sex trafficking.
It was that final accusation, laid out not in federal charging papers but in a series of damning lawsuits last year, that first revealed the growing cracks in the veneer of Combs’ carefully-curated reputation.
Read on...
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the rise of his ‘criminal enterprise’
Juror excluded for medical reasons
17:32 , Oliver O'ConnellBefore the court paused proceedings to take a break, another potential juror was excluded for medical reasons, claiming it would be difficult for her to sit through the trial.
Juror says trauma from war means she cannot serve
17:22 , Oliver O'ConnellA juror tells the court that she suffers from trauma from her experience of conflicts in the Ivory Coast.
In addition, while she wrote on the form that she had not seen the defendant on TV, she had.
Judge Subramanian excludes her from the jury pool.
Juror raises concerns over difficulty reading
17:11 , Oliver O'ConnellProsecutors ask Judge Subramanian to exclude a juror who says that he sometimes finds reading hard when there are “difficult words.”
Diddy’s lawyer argues that it should be fine, given that the text messages that will be part of the evidence are written in simple English.
Prosecutors say that the messages are abbreviated and include typos, making them hard to interpret.
The judge says he will not exclude him for cause, but peremptories.
Another juror admits to seeing news coverage
16:51 , Oliver O'ConnellAnother potential juror, a kitchen designer from Yonkers, admits to having seen some of the news coverage of the trial, saying it was on in his house as recently as this morning.
Nevertheless, both sides OK him to remain in the pool.
There was laughter when a potential juror was asked if she knew any of the people on the extensive list of celebrities connected to the case against Diddy.
“I wish I did, but no.”
She stays in the jury pool.
Another juror says he saw hotel video, but can be fair
16:40 , Oliver O'ConnellThe infamous hotel video showing the defendant allegedly attacking his former partner surfaces again.
A potential juror wrote on his questionnaire that Diddy looked angry, hostile, and entitled in the video, but concedes he could be fair at trial.
He stays in the jury pool.
Juror: Mostly everyone saw the video of the defendant and his ex girlfriend -
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 6, 2025
Judge: You wrote he looked angry and hostile and entitled
Juror: I did.
Judge: Could you be fair?
Juror: Yes. [Leaves - neither side objects, so he stays in]
Medical malpractice expert witness remains in jury pool
16:34 , Oliver O'ConnellNext up is a doctor of surgical pathology at Mount Sinai who has been an expert witness in medical malpractice cases and who did a four-week rotation in psychiatry as part of his medical training.
His personal experience of crime is that his son was once beaten up and had his phone stolen, he says he was told it was by three young Black men.
Asked if he would be biased, he replies: “People are people.”
He remains in the jury pool.
Juror 149: My son was beaten up and had his cell phone stolen while at GWU
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 6, 2025
Judge: By who?
Juror 149: I was told it was 3 young black men.
Judge: Would you be biased?
Juror 149: People are people. [Leaves]
Judge: I will not strike him for cause. [Both sides agree
What do we know about the plea deal Diddy rejected?
16:30 , Oliver O'ConnellSean “Diddy” Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution purposes, and has maintained his innocence since being arrested.
Last Thursday, standing before a judge in his final pre-trial hearing, Combs said he rejected the government’s offer to plead guilty to charges in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Ariana Baio reports.
Diddy rejects plea deal offer ahead of his trial on sex-trafficking charges
Juror raises concerns for reading article on jurors who were excluded
16:22 , Oliver O'ConnellNext up is an in-house lawyer for an insurance sales firm whose wife is a child cancer psychologist.
He reveals he read an article going home from the courthouse yesterday about who got excluded from jury service, which, as the judge points out, he was not supposed to.
This raises concerns from the prosecution, who note that he’s a trained lawyer who disobeyed the judge by reading the article.
Diddy’s team says they are not concerned enough to challenge for cause, given he was honest about it.
Judge Subramanian decides to strike the juror.
Juror excluded over doubts about impartiality having seen hotel hallway video
16:04 , Oliver O'ConnellThe next juror to be questioned, a realtor with Sotheby’s, tells the court he knows a lot of lawyers, and that he and his brother spent ten years in court fighting for their late psychiatrist father’s estate.
As with many of the jurors yesterday, he has seen the clip of Diddy in the hotel hallway that was widely played on CNN, but tells Judge Subramanian he can be fair.
The judge notes that he wrote on his questionnaire that he was unsure if he could be fair. The juror clarified that he didn’t know the video was part of the case and would listen to instructions.
After he exits, Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, points out that a close variant of the video will be played at the trial.
The prosecution says they do not object to him being excluded, which he is.
Diddy allowed to wear non-prison clothes at trial
16:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Sean “Diddy” Combs, 55, has been held at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his September arrest. His formerly jet black hair is now almost completely gray because dye isn’t allowed at the detention center.
Combs, who had his own fashion line, has worn yellow jail uniforms in pretrial hearings.
However, for the trial, the judge said he can have up to five button-down shirts, five pairs of pants, five sweaters, five pairs of socks, and two pairs of shoes without laces.
Under federal court rules, no photos or video of the trial will be allowed. Courtroom sketches are permitted.
First juror today to remain in pool
16:00 , Oliver O'ConnellWe now have our first potential juror from today’s group who will remain in the pool.
She is a psychology major who has taken sexual harassment training, said she could be fair, and said her experience of lawsuits concerned a fatal car crash involving her mother. Her sister, who passed away from cancer, was also an abuse victim, having gotten into drugs. There were no objections from either side to her participation.
Four jurors questioned, four jurors excluded
15:42 , Oliver O'ConnellWe’re running on four for four today. Before 11 a.m., the first four jurors brought in for individual questioning have been excluded from the jury pool for cause.
In addition to the first two exclusions, one woman, whose son is an executive assistant district attorney in Rockland County, handling criminal cases, said she couldn’t say she wouldn’t be biased, but could try. Judge Subramanian struck her for cause after she left the room.
Following her was a man who said he had seven stents in his heart and couldn’t face a trial. The judge excused him, too.
Jurors quizzed on knowledge of training on sexual harassment and assault
15:33 , Oliver O'ConnellPotential jurors are also asked about their experience with training on issues related to sexual assault.
The next juror says her father is in faculty support for victims of sexual assault on a campus in Indiana. She says he has not spoken with her about it, and it would not impact her take on the case.
On further examination, she says she learned about the case from watching CNN and leaned negatively toward Diddy, believing he has committed some crimes.
Asked if she could be fair, she says yes, but after exiting the room, the defense team moves to strike her for cause. Judge Subramanian agrees.
Who are the main players on the prosecution and defense teams?
15:30 , Oliver O'ConnellThe trial is taking place in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. He's a Columbia Law School graduate and former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was appointed a federal judge by President Joe Biden in 2022.
The prosecution team consists of eight assistant U.S. attorneys, seven of them women. They include Maurene Ryan Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. She was among the prosecutors in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein.
Combs' team of seven defense attorneys is led by New York lawyer Marc Agnifilo, who, along with his wife Karen Friedman Agnifilo, is also defending Luigi Mangione, the man accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Also on the defense team is Atlanta attorney Brian Steel, who represented Young Thug in a trial that went on for nearly two years before the rapper pleaded guilty to gang, drug, and gun charges.
Juror excluded for cause
15:22 , Oliver O'ConnellOne of the key questions to establish whether potential jurors can be impartial is whether they or a person close to them has been a victim of a crime similar to that which the defendant has been accused of, and what their experience was in terms of seeking justice.
The first juror to be questioned by Judge Subramanian today tells the court she was the victim of an attempted rape and did not feel the police handled it well.
It also emerged that on her questionnaire, she wrote that Diddy has money and could buy his way out.
She is excluded from the jury pool for cause with no objection from prosecutors.
Diddy was once a ‘Bad Boy for Life’ and ran an empire. At the start of his trial, he was just a meek defendant
15:15 , Oliver O'ConnellKelly Rissman was in court yesterday to watch proceedings and writes that the former music mogul appeared meek as jury selection to determine his fate got underway.
Diddy was once a ‘Bad Boy for Life.’ At the start of his trial, he’s a meek defendant
As yesterday, today’s jurors will be held in a separate courtroom and then brought back in one by one to answer any questions from the judge.
They will also be shown an apparently very lengthy list of people and places relevant to the case and asked if they have any connection to them.
On Monday, the following names were mentioned by jurors from the list:
- Michael B. Jordan (actor)
- Mike Myers (actor)
- Kid Cudi (rapper)
- Kanye West (rapper)
- Dallas Austin (songwriter, producer)
- Laurieann Gibson (choreographer, director)
- Dawn Richard (singer)
- Harve Pierre (producer)
- Michelle Williams (singer)
- Cassie Ventura (singer)
Court back in session
14:54 , Oliver O'ConnellJudge Arun Subramanian is at the bench, and the court is back in session for day two of jury selection.
All potential jurors have filled out a lengthy jury questionnaire concerning the case.
They will now be asked further questions by the judge based on their answers.
What do we know about yesterday's jurors who may be chosen for the trial?
14:45 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter the first day of questioning, the court appeared to be nearing the number of prospective jurors needed to proceed.
In both individual and group questioning in court, we found out they are drawn from a wide range of careers — finance, web maintenance, massage therapy, freelance writing, retail, teaching, marketing, nursing, and accounts in the prison system, among other professions.
Jurors spend their time at church, watching Netflix, playing volleyball, cooking, going to the gym, playing cricket, and include supporters of both the Mets and the Yankees. They watch The Voice, The White Lotus, British detective shows on PBS, climate change documentaries, and ESPN.
They listen to alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, gospel, reggaeton, old Indian music, country, bluegrass, and Jazz, as well as NPR, 1010 WINS, and Joe Rogan.
Jurors also read The Atlantic, The New York Times, local news publications, food magazines, and The Bulwark.
Some live in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester County.
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
14:35 , Oliver O'ConnellHere’s a full recap of the case against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the former music mogul, as he sits in Manhattan federal court for his high-profile sex trafficking crimes trial.
Prosecutors have charged Combs with racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation for prostitution purposes. The charges stem from allegations made by four unnamed people.
Here’s what you need to know:
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: Allegations behind Diddy’s trial
How does jury selection work?
14:20 , Oliver O'ConnellHere’s a quick reminder as to how jury selection works.
Some 600 prospective jurors have filled out questionnaires to help the legal team whittle down the numbers and end up with a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in case any of the jurors have to step down for some reason — alternates sit through the whole trial and see all the evidence.
Dozens of the prospects will be asked about their questionnaire responses in this voir dire stage, which began yesterday, to identify anyone who might not be impartial.
The questionnaires likely included questions on what they had read or heard about the charges against Diddy, and their own personal experiences connected to the alleged criminal acts, for example, if they or a family member had ever been a victim of assault. A similar process was undertaken in the federal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking. Jurors have the option of speaking in private to the judge and legal teams to preserve privacy when answering those questions.
While the defense and prosecution have an unlimited number of “for cause” challenges to dismiss a prospective juror, Judge Arun Subramanian will ultimately make the final decision on whether someone should be excused from this high-profile trial.
By the end of the week, both sides will be able to exercise what are called “peremptory strikes” to remove a juror without any explanation.
Jury selection day two to get underway soon
14:16 , Oliver O'ConnellGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of day two of jury selection in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
More prospective jurors will be questioned today, but after day one, the court appears to be near securing the 18 people (12 jurors, six alternates) required to begin the trial on schedule on May 12.
ICYMI: Diddy rejects plea deal offer
Tuesday 6 May 2025 00:30 , Oliver O'ConnellSean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the music mogul headed to trial on sex-trafficking accusations, rejected a last-minute plea deal with prosecutors, he confirmed in court on Thursday.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution purposes, and has maintained his innocence since being arrested.
Ariana Baio reports.
Diddy rejects plea deal offer ahead of his trial on sex-trafficking charges
The rise and fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs — a timeline
Tuesday 6 May 2025 00:00 , APFor more than two decades, Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of hip-hop's most opportunistic entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show.
But U.S. prosecutors say that behind the scenes, Combs was coercing and abusing women with help from a network of associates who helped silence victims through blackmail and violence.
Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.
Here is a timeline of major events in his rise and fall:
The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Monday 5 May 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'ConnellAriana Baio reports on everything we know about the case so far.
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: Allegations behind Diddy’s trial
The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
Monday 5 May 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'ConnellFor more than two decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was one of one of hip-hop's most opportunistic entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show.
In the criminal indictment for this week’s sex trafficking trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the document lists many of the hip-hop mogul’s aliases.
Read on...
From P to Brother Love: The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
Judge dismisses jurors
Monday 5 May 2025 22:27 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter that round of questioning, Judge Subrmanian dismisses the jurors for the day, saying that they will hear from the jury department, and asking them not to post anything online or to read about the case.
“I will see some of you on May 12.”
HBO juror works as photo producer
Monday 5 May 2025 22:25 , Oliver O'ConnellThe court also learned a bit more about the HBO employee we heard from earlier.
Judge: Do you cover all HBO shows?
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 5, 2025
Juror 29: I worked on White Locus, Bill Maher. I have about 10 shows.
Judge: How many photo producers are there at HBO?
Juror 29: Five. I worked on Tokyo Vice.
Judge: Thanks
Juror 84: I am a mover and packer. Food magazines
What do we know about the remaining jurors?
Monday 5 May 2025 22:22 , Oliver O'ConnellProspective jurors are drawn from a wide range of careers, we find out in group questioning.
They work in finance, web maintenance, massage therapy, freelance writing, retail, teaching, marketing, nursing, and accounts in the prison system, among other professions.
Jurors spend their time at church, watching Netflix, playing volleyball, cooking, going to the gym, playing cricket, and include supporters of both the Mets and the Yankees. They watch The Voice, The White Lotus, British detective shows on PBS, climate change documentaries, and ESPN.
They listen to alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, gospel, reggaeton, old Indian music, country, bluegrass, and Jazz, as well as NPR, 1010 WINS, and Joe Rogan.
Jurors also read The Atlantic, The New York Times, local news publications, food magazines, and The Bulwark.
Non-excused jurors face group questioning
Monday 5 May 2025 21:57 , Oliver O'ConnellJudge Subramanian has jurors who were not excused brought back into the courtroom for a round of group questioning.
They give biographical information, including about their education, where they live, what their hobbies are, and what media they consume.
Diddy lawyer wants to question HBO employee again
Monday 5 May 2025 21:40 , Oliver O'ConnellDiddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, wants to question the juror who works for HBO again.
HBO produced the documentary The Fall of Diddy, which has come up several times today.
Judge Subramanian tells him he can make an application to do so.
Agnifilo tells the judge “three government witnesses" were in HBO's "The Fall of Diddy" doc series.
— JOSH RUSSELL (@jruss_jruss) May 5, 2025
"It’s quite a negative documentary," he says, anticipating that the defense will seek to strike the prospective juror who works for HBO. https://t.co/LWaE8wofdF
Potential juror says wife once deposed Diddy
Monday 5 May 2025 21:22 , Oliver O'ConnellOne potential juror revealed that their wife once deposed Diddy in a case about a stampede and expressed negative views about him afterward.
While the juror says they did not tell their wife that they may be on the case, another prospective juror who knows her saw them and told her.
Judge Subramanian asks them to write the juror’s name on a Post-It note.
“She found his behavior disturbing," the would-be juror says. "In general, she does not like him, but that happens."
— JOSH RUSSELL (@jruss_jruss) May 5, 2025
He's excused.
More jurors excused for cause
Monday 5 May 2025 21:10 , Oliver O'ConnellMore jurors are excused for cause by Judge Subramanian. One has a child in the hospital, while another has job interviews scheduled.
Another juror excused
Monday 5 May 2025 20:25 , Oliver O'ConnellAnother juror has been excused over her own experience with domestic violence.
Two more potential jurors out
Monday 5 May 2025 20:17 , Oliver O'ConnellTwo more potential jurors will not take part in the trial.
One man said he had trust issues with law enforcement witnesses, as he had been picked up by the police, he said, for no reason. Judge Subramanian decided to exclude him.
Another man said he has to take care of his child and said he had trouble understanding some of the questions asked of jurors.
He was excused for cause.
Juror excluded after watching HBO documentary
Monday 5 May 2025 20:07 , Oliver O'ConnellAnother potential juror was excluded after admitting to having watched the HBO documentary on the case: The Fall of Diddy.
Asked if they would believe testimony from people who appeared in the documentary, some of whom are expected to testify, the juror responded that it would depend, as they did not remember much.
After Diddy’s lawyer said they wanted to keep the juror, Judge Subramanian decided to exclude her from consideration.
[Juror leaves]
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 5, 2025
AUSA Comey: This juror hesitated, about the HBO documentary. We anticipate some of these in the documentary testifying at trial. We asked for exclusion.
Combs' Agnifilo: She said she could be fair. We want to keep her.
Judge: She is excluded
Another juror excused
Monday 5 May 2025 19:55 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter speaking confidentially with the judge, another juror is excused as someone close to them was a victim of sexual assault or harassment.
Court back in session
Monday 5 May 2025 19:44 , Oliver O'ConnellCourt is now back in session, and the next potential member of the jury is called for questioning — Juror 60.
It should be noted that not every juror is called for questioning. The judge has called 16 jurors so far.
Which famous names have been mentioned so far?
Monday 5 May 2025 19:42 , Oliver O'ConnellPotential jurors were asked to look over a list of names and places connected with the trial and say if they recognized them or had a connection with them.
So far, the following names have come up:
- Michael B. Jordan (actor)
- Mike Myers (actor)
- Kid Cudi (rapper)
- Kanye West (rapper)
- Dallas Austin (songwriter, producer)
- Laurieann Gibson (choreographer, director)
- Dawn Richard (singer)
- Harve Pierre (producer)
- Michelle Williams (singer)
- Cassie Ventura (singer)
The rise and fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs — a timeline
Monday 5 May 2025 19:28 , APFor more than two decades, Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of hip-hop's most opportunistic entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show.
But U.S. prosecutors say that behind the scenes, Combs was coercing and abusing women with help from a network of associates who helped silence victims through blackmail and violence.
Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.
Here is a timeline of major events in his rise and fall:
ICYMI: Diddy rejects plea deal offer
Monday 5 May 2025 19:08 , Oliver O'ConnellSean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the music mogul headed to trial on sex-trafficking accusations, rejected a last-minute plea deal with prosecutors, he confirmed in court on Thursday.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution purposes, and has maintained his innocence since being arrested.
Ariana Baio reports.
Diddy rejects plea deal offer ahead of his trial on sex-trafficking charges
Concern jurors could be swayed having seen hotel video
Monday 5 May 2025 19:04 , Oliver O'ConnellKelly Rissman reports from the courthouse:
The line was long outside of a federal criminal courthouse this drizzly New York morning, filled with both members of the press and the public.
One woman said she's a long-time fan of Diddy and hopes he is acquitted, but opted to attend the trial “to find the truth.”
The morning has been consumed by jury selection. One thing has been made clear: many potential jurors say they've seen the notorious video of Diddy allegedly assaulting a woman in a hotel.
Diddy's defense team has expressed concern over how someone could be swayed after watching that clip, which the government excluded from the case.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the rise of his ‘criminal enterprise’
Monday 5 May 2025 18:48 , Oliver O'ConnellSheila Flynn writes:
The most honest thing Sean Combs may have ever done was name his record label “Bad Boy.”
Although 54-year-old Combs – aka Puff Daddy, aka Puffy, aka P. Diddy, Diddy and Love – has been orchestrating a lot more than just braggadocious “bad” behavior during the intervening decades, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday. Instead, it charges, he’s been the veritable architect and leader of a “criminal enterprise” engaged in alleged arson, kidnapping, forced labor, bribery, obstruction of justice and sex trafficking.
It was that final accusation, laid out not in federal charging papers but in a series of damning lawsuits last year, that first revealed the growing cracks in the veneer of Combs’ carefully-curated reputation.
Read on...
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the rise of his ‘criminal enterprise’
Court breaks for lunch
Monday 5 May 2025 18:28 , Oliver O'ConnellJury selection pauses for lunch and will resume shortly.
More possible jurors say they have seen hotel security video
Monday 5 May 2025 18:01 , Oliver O'ConnellThe hotel security video has been seen by the majority of the potential jurors brought in for questioning by Judge Subramanian.
In March, lawyers for Diddy claimed the video was altered by CNN and questioned whether it is admissible as evidence.
Kevin E G Perry reports.
Lawyers claim Diddy’s infamous hotel ‘attack’ video has been altered
'The Fall of Diddy' documentary brought up
Monday 5 May 2025 17:45 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter a potential juror revealed she works for HBO, Diddy’s lawyer notes that the company recently released a documentary called The Fall of Diddy, but Judge Subramanian says he will overrule the objection for now.
The juror can remain in the mix and will not be excluded.
Here’s what you need to know about the documentary:
Potential juror's company published Diddy-related book
Monday 5 May 2025 17:39 , Oliver O'ConnellA potential juror revealed they work in marketing for publishing company Simon & Schuster, which published a memoir, Do You Believe Me Now, by Al B. Sure, that includes his connection to Diddy.
From the company’s website:
Grammy-nominated R&B legend Al B. Sure! tells all in this inspiring survivor’s memoir that reveals the untold story of his near-death health emergency, shocking ties to Diddy, romance with the late Kim Porter, and the extraordinary highs and life-threatening lows of being a pioneering New Jack Swing superstar.
Days after Homeland Security raided Sean Combs’s compounds in a federal sex-trafficking investigation, the multiplatinum R&B legend Al B. Sure! declared that when people heard how he wound up in a coma two years earlier, they were “really going to need to call Homeland Security.”
After a brief discussion about the contents of the book, it is agreed that the juror should be excluded.
Prospective jurors refer to hotel hallway security video of Diddy
Monday 5 May 2025 16:58 , Oliver O'ConnellSome prospective jurors have said they have seen either an image or a video of Diddy from a hotel hallway security camera.
Here’s what they’re referring to:
Diddy seen in shocking video punching and kicking girlfriend Cassie in hotel hallway
Two more prospects excused
Monday 5 May 2025 16:22 , Oliver O'ConnellTwo more potential jurors have been excused.
One was excluded for cause by Judge Subramanian after saying they had seen a “damning” image of the defendant.
Another was excused as they had just started a new job in a hotel.
Juror excused
Monday 5 May 2025 16:05 , Oliver O'ConnellOne prospective juror was excused by Judge Subramanian after stating that they had a family member who experienced some of the case's subject matter — potentially assault or domestic violence — making it difficult for them to sit through the trial.
Another juror said they had a family member who had been the victim of domestic violence, but stated that they could remain impartial.
Jurors now being questioned individually
Monday 5 May 2025 15:51 , Oliver O'ConnellThe first group of jurors was escorted from the court and made to wait in a second courtroom. They are now being brought in one by one to review a binder containing a list of people and places relevant to the case.
Earlier, Judge Subramanian compared the list to an appendix to The Lord of the Rings.
Jurors are also asked clarification questions about their questionnaire answers.
If they have answered that they have direct or indirect experience concerning the charges (for example, being the victim of assault or having a close family member who is), then the judge asks if they can be fair in their assessment of the facts of the case.
First group of prospective jurors now in court
Monday 5 May 2025 15:23 , Oliver O'ConnellThe first group of jurors has been brought into the courtroom and is being addressed by Judge Subramanian.
He explains the basics of the case, listing all of Diddy’s names — Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, PD, and Love.
The trial is expected to run for about eight weeks from May 12. The court will sit from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the first week and then from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for subsequent weeks.
The judge also tells the jurors that if, during questioning today, there is something they do not want to say in open court, they may answer out of earshot, and the transcript will only be visible to the parties themselves.
What do we know about the plea deal Diddy rejected?
Monday 5 May 2025 15:14 , Oliver O'ConnellSean “Diddy” Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution purposes, and has maintained his innocence since being arrested.
Last Thursday, standing before a judge in his final pre-trial hearing, Combs said he rejected the government’s offer to plead guilty to charges in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Ariana Baio reports.
Diddy rejects plea deal offer ahead of his trial on sex-trafficking charges
How does jury selection work?
Monday 5 May 2025 14:50 , Oliver O'ConnellHere’s a quick guide to how jury selection will proceed today.
Some 600 prospective jurors have filled out questionnaires to help the legal team whittle down the numbers and end up with a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in case any of the jurors have to step down for some reason — alternates sit through the whole trial and see all the evidence.
Dozens of the prospects will be asked about their questionnaire responses in this voir dire stage, beginning today, to identify anyone who might not be impartial.
The questionnaires likely included questions on what they had read or heard about the charges against Diddy, and possibly their own personal experiences connected to the alleged criminal acts, for example, if they had ever been a victim of assault. A similar process was undertaken in the federal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking. If there are questions relating to that, they will be asked in a sidebar to protect the privacy of potential jurors.
While the defense and prosecution have an unlimited number of “for cause” challenges to dismiss a prospective juror, Judge Arun Subramanian will ultimately make the final decision on whether someone should be excused from this high-profile trial.
By the end of the week, both sides will be able to exercise what are called “peremptory strikes” to remove a juror without any explanation.
Jury selection gets underway
Monday 5 May 2025 14:26 , Oliver O'ConnellJury selection has begun at Manhattan’s federal courthouse.
Diddy’s family does not appear to be present.
We’ll be posting updates throughout the day from Ariana Baio and Kelly Rissman, who are watching proceedings today for The Independent.
Diddy is dressed formally and wearing reading glasses, seated with his eight lawyers.
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Monday 5 May 2025 13:45 , Mike BediganSean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the former music mogul, is headed to Manhattan federal court on Monday for his high-profile sex trafficking crimes trial.
Prosecutors have charged Combs with racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation for prostitution purposes. The charges stem from allegations made by four unnamed people.
He’s a full recap:
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: Allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Diddy's lawyer arrives at court in 'Free Puff' hoodie
Monday 5 May 2025 13:41 , Ariano BaioA member of Diddy’s legal team, attorney Brian Steel – who previously represented rapper Young Thug – arrived at the courthouse around 8:15 a.m. He did not respond to questions as he walked inside.
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Recap: What are the accusations against Combs?
Monday 5 May 2025 13:30 , Andrew GeorgesonFederal prosecutors have brought a five-count indictment against the music mogul:
• Racketeering conspiracy.
• Two charges of sex trafficking
• Two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Many of the most severe allegations relate to the racketeering conspiracy charge.
After rejecting a plea deal last week, Combs, if convicted, faces life in prison.
Diddy's children may attend jury selection
Monday 5 May 2025 13:18 , Mike BediganThough we might not be seeing Combs himself enter court, several of his children have attended pre-trial hearings to support their father.
They may also attend jury selection today. Here’s more:
Diddy’s children break silence in support of father amid sex trafficking charges
No protesters outside court so far
Monday 5 May 2025 13:07 , Mike BediganThe Independent’s Ariana Baio reports that there’s a good chunk of media already outside court, with broadcasters positioned across the street and directly in front of the doors.
However, there are no protesters as yet. We’ll see if that changes.
We also won’t be seeing Combs entering court because he’s being taken in via secure entrance since he’s being held at Metropolitan Detention Center, in Brooklyn.
Members of the press and public are already gathering outside court in Manhattan ahead of jury selection in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Pictures show long lines already starting to form. Lawyers are expected to get there around 8.30 a.m. ET.
The Independent’s Kelly Rissman and Ariana Baio are down at court today and will be bringing you live updates from both inside and outside the courtroom.
Jury selection starts today
Monday 5 May 2025 12:30 , Andrew GeorgesonJury selection will begin today in music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs sex-trafficking case.
Combs, 55, rejected a last-minute government plea deal in a Manhattan courtoom on Thursday.
A jury of 12 New Yorkers and six alternates will need to be seated by Wednesday in order for opening arguments to begin on time.
If he is found guilty on all charges in the case, Combs could be looking at life in prison.
Diddy rejects plea deal offer ahead of his trial on sex-trafficking charges
