Jury selection has begun as the highly anticipated trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs kicks off in a Manhattan courtroom.
Federal prosecutors have 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.” One such desire includes “Freak Offs,” recorded sex performances that prosecutors say Diddy arranged and forced victims to participate in. During searches of his homes in Miami and Florida, 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, the new indictment detailed fresh allegations of “forced labor.” In April, the newest indictment brought an additional charge of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Diddy has also been the subject of a mountain of civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, rape and misconduct, with some cases dating to the 1990s. He’s denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Last Thursday, Diddy rejected the government’s plea deal offer.
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Key Points
- Which famous names have been mentioned so far?
- Diddy's lawyer arrives at court in 'Free Puff' hoodie
- How does jury selection work?
- ‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
- What is Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of?
01:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
Thank you for joining our live coverage of jury selection in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
We are pausing our live reporting for the evening.
Join us again for all the latest on trial developments as we head toward opening statements on May 12.
Jury selection starts today
Monday 5 May 2025 12:30
,
Andrew Georgeson
Jury 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.
Monday 5 May 2025 12:54
,
Mike Bedigan
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.
No protesters outside court so far
Monday 5 May 2025 13:07
,
Mike Bedigan
The 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.
Diddy's children may attend jury selection
Monday 5 May 2025 13:18
,
Mike Bedigan
Though 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:
Recap: What are the accusations against Combs?
Monday 5 May 2025 13:30
,
Andrew Georgeson
Federal 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 lawyer arrives at court in 'Free Puff' hoodie
Monday 5 May 2025 13:41
,
Ariano Baio
A 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.
‘Freak offs’, baby oil and the Cassie tape: The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Monday 5 May 2025 13:45
,
Mike Bedigan
Sean ‘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:
Jury selection gets underway
Monday 5 May 2025 14:26
,
Oliver O'Connell
Jury 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.
How does jury selection work?
Monday 5 May 2025 14:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
Here’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.
What do we know about the plea deal Diddy rejected?
Monday 5 May 2025 15:14
,
Oliver O'Connell
Sean “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.
First group of prospective jurors now in court
Monday 5 May 2025 15:23
,
Oliver O'Connell
The 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.
Jurors now being questioned individually
Monday 5 May 2025 15:51
,
Oliver O'Connell
The 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.
Juror excused
Monday 5 May 2025 16:05
,
Oliver O'Connell
One 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.
Two more prospects excused
Monday 5 May 2025 16:22
,
Oliver O'Connell
Two 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.
Monday 5 May 2025 16:35
,
Oliver O'Connell
Prospective jurors refer to hotel hallway security video of Diddy
Monday 5 May 2025 16:58
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Oliver O'Connell
Some 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:
Potential juror's company published Diddy-related book
Monday 5 May 2025 17:39
,
Oliver O'Connell
A 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.
'The Fall of Diddy' documentary brought up
Monday 5 May 2025 17:45
,
Oliver O'Connell
After 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:
More possible jurors say they have seen hotel security video
Monday 5 May 2025 18:01
,
Oliver O'Connell
The 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.
Monday 5 May 2025 18:15
Court breaks for lunch
Monday 5 May 2025 18:28
,
Oliver O'Connell
Jury selection pauses for lunch and will resume shortly.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the rise of his ‘criminal enterprise’
Monday 5 May 2025 18:48
,
Oliver O'Connell
Sheila 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...
Concern jurors could be swayed having seen hotel video
Monday 5 May 2025 19:04
,
Oliver O'Connell
Kelly 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.
ICYMI: Diddy rejects plea deal offer
Monday 5 May 2025 19:08
,
Oliver O'Connell
Sean ‘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.
The rise and fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs — a timeline
Monday 5 May 2025 19:28
,
AP
For 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:
Which famous names have been mentioned so far?
Monday 5 May 2025 19:42
,
Oliver O'Connell
Potential 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)
Court back in session
Monday 5 May 2025 19:44
,
Oliver O'Connell
Court 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.
Another juror excused
Monday 5 May 2025 19:55
,
Oliver O'Connell
After speaking confidentially with the judge, another juror is excused as someone close to them was a victim of sexual assault or harassment.
Juror excluded after watching HBO documentary
Monday 5 May 2025 20:07
,
Oliver O'Connell
Another 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
Two more potential jurors out
Monday 5 May 2025 20:17
,
Oliver O'Connell
Two 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.
Another juror excused
Monday 5 May 2025 20:25
,
Oliver O'Connell
Another juror has been excused over her own experience with domestic violence.
Monday 5 May 2025 20:54
,
Oliver O'Connell
More jurors excused for cause
Monday 5 May 2025 21:10
,
Oliver O'Connell
More jurors are excused for cause by Judge Subramanian. One has a child in the hospital, while another has job interviews scheduled.
Potential juror says wife once deposed Diddy
Monday 5 May 2025 21:22
,
Oliver O'Connell
One 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.
Diddy lawyer wants to question HBO employee again
Monday 5 May 2025 21:40
,
Oliver O'Connell
Diddy’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
Non-excused jurors face group questioning
Monday 5 May 2025 21:57
,
Oliver O'Connell
Judge 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.
What do we know about the remaining jurors?
Monday 5 May 2025 22:22
,
Oliver O'Connell
Prospective 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.
HBO juror works as photo producer
Monday 5 May 2025 22:25
,
Oliver O'Connell
The 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
Judge dismisses jurors
Monday 5 May 2025 22:27
,
Oliver O'Connell
After 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.”
Monday 5 May 2025 22:39
,
Oliver O'Connell
The stories behind all of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ name changes
Monday 5 May 2025 23:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
For 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...
The shocking allegations behind Diddy’s trial
Monday 5 May 2025 23:30
,
Oliver O'Connell
Ariana Baio reports on everything we know about the case so far.
The rise and fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs — a timeline
Tuesday 6 May 2025 00:00
,
AP
For 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
Tuesday 6 May 2025 00:30
,
Oliver O'Connell
Sean ‘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.