The many names of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Music mogul Sean Combs, who’s on trial for sexual abuse and trafficking, has had a series of name changes while also maintaining his given name.
After a busy kickoff of proceedings, the Sean “Diddy” Combs criminal trial continues with its jury selection.
Day two of the selection process begins May 6 after several dozen potential jurors were brought into a courtroom the previous day and questioned one by one by Judge Arun Subramanian, the prosecution and defense to determine whether they’re qualified to serve on Combs’ jury.
In a May 1 pretrial conference, lawyers said they planned to question as many as 150 potential jurors, with each questionnaire lasting 20-30 minutes. On May 5, Judge Subramanian deemed 19 qualified to serve, including two who said they were fans of 1990s hip-hop, while the rest were dismissed.
Federal prosecutors indicated they’d be able to find the 45 qualified jurors needed in three days, and it’s possible they won’t need to speak to all 150 people.
The embattled hip-hop mogul, who at one time was among the most powerful figures in the music industry, has experienced a sharp fall from grace after facing a bevy of lawsuits and criminal charges accusing him of rape and sexual assault.
During his final pretrial hearing on May 2, Combs confirmed he turned down a potential plea deal. A judge previously rejected a request from the rapper’s legal team to delay the start of the trial.
Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
As jury selection got underway, prospective jurors said they had heard news about allegations against the hip-hop star, seen a video of him allegedly assaulting a woman and even heard a comedian joke about the baby oil authorities say they found at his residences.
Jurors were given a list of people and places related to the defendant in some way, including Hollywood and music industry celebrities such as Michael B. Jordan, Kid Cudi, Michelle Williams, Mike Myers and others.
The group of jurors who weren’t struck ranged in age from 30 to 75; most were college-educated, with careers spanning scientists, behavioral health associates, professional movers and grocery-store deli clerks.
The 17-page questionnaire given to potential jurors in Combs’ case is fairly standard.
The 31-question form asks if they or a family member or friend has been a victim of sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence and whether they or a family member or friend has been charged or accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence. It also asks if they have read about Combs and if they have formed an opinion of his guilt.
However one question could be interesting for some: Have you communicated to others, posted your opinion on social media or online, or ‘liked’ any social media posts about Mr. Combs. If so, when and were did you post or state your opinion.
Prosecutors also said several of the questions they wanted potential jurors to be asked will have to do with their feelings on law enforcement and experiences with the government.
Combs’ team wants potential jurors to describe the music they like and their opinions about the hip-hop and rap music industry. The defense team’s proposed questionnaire also suggested they want to know if jurors are open-minded to alternative sexual lifestyles.
The most head-turning dismissal on May 5 came when a potential juror noted a possible conflict of interest with his wife, who served as an attorney in the trial of the 1991 City College stampede. The infamous incident occurred when nine people were killed during a fatal crush at a celebrity basketball game in New York that Combs helped organize.
Combs was never criminally charged, although he did face lawsuits for his role in promoting the would-be deadly event.
The potential juror said his wife had a negative opinion of Combs from the court case: “She found his behavior disturbing,” the man said. “In general, she doesn’t like him.” Despite claiming he could still be impartial, Judge Subramanian agreed with Combs’ team, who moved to have him excused from the trial.
Another prospective juror, who is a marketing officer at a large book publishing house, was excluded for cause after saying that the company is publishing a memoir from Al B. Sure! this fall that contains accusations or references to Combs. The prospective juror said she would “be unlikely to read that book,” but the judge said this was “too close to home.”
Combs made his first trial appearance on May 5, arriving shortly after 9 a.m. EDT from the federal lockup in Brooklyn where he is being held. The rapper, sporting a salt-and-pepper goatee, wore dark glasses and a dark sweater over a white shirt. He was also seen smiling and hugging his attorneys upon entering the courtroom.
As jurors continued to be dismissed, Combs asked Judge Subramanian for a short bathroom break, according to multiple reports. He told the judge, “I’m sorry, your honor, I’m a little nervous today.”
During his final pretrial hearing on May 2, Combs confirmed he turned down a potential plea deal. It is unclear what the plea deal consisted of.
Combs’ six-person defense team, led by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, added one more member on May 2, the last business day before jury selection.
Xavier R. Donaldson, a New York-based criminal defense lawyer, filed a notice of appearance as a retained attorney for Combs in a document reviewed by USA TODAY on May 2.
The last attorney who joined Combs’ team was Brian Steel, the lawyer who represented rapper Young Thug in his lengthy RICO trial.
The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings.
USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.
How long will Diddy’s trial be?
Assuming all parties can agree on 45 jurors by the end of the May 7 session, the prosecution and defense will spend May 8-9 preparing for opening statements, which begin May 12.
Why is Diddy on trial?
Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling suit that has eroded his status as a power player and king-maker in the entertainment industry.
He was arrested in September and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
His indictment emerged alongside dozens of separate civil suits suggesting a pattern of abusive behavior and exploitation spanning decades, including accusations of rape, sexual assault and physical violence.
Is Diddy in jail?
Despite repeated attempts at bail, Combs was ordered to remain in custody at the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center ahead of trial — a ruling his legal team has challenged in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He’s been jailed since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Aysha Bagchi, Brendan Morrow, Pamela Avila, Anna Kaufman and Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
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