The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs started in New York Metropolis on Monday, Might 5, following his September 2024 arrest on fees of intercourse trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to interact in prostitution.
The method started with jury choice on Monday, with opening arguments set to begin Monday, Might 12. Diddy, 55, has pleaded not responsible to all fees and denied the allegations towards him.
The music mogul appeared in court docket as jury choice began, carrying a sweater over a white collared shirt with grey pants, per the Related Press. (Choose Arun Subramanian beforehand mentioned that Diddy might put on informal clothes all through the trial somewhat than his jail uniform.)
Earlier than voir dire (preliminary juror examinations) started on Monday, Diddy turned down a plea deal, which could have shortened his potential jail sentence if he agreed to plead responsible. When the choose requested him on Thursday, Might 1, if he rejected the prosecution’s provide, Diddy replied, “Sure, I do.”
Diddy was arrested final yr after quite a few accusers got here ahead with allegations of sexual assault. In November 2023, his ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit towards him, alleging that he sexually and bodily abused her throughout their relationship, which lasted on and off from 2007 to 2018. Diddy denied her claims, and the duo settled out of court docket someday later.
Casandra “Cassie” Ventura is one step nearer to testifying towards Sean “Diddy” Combs in his upcoming trial. In keeping with Folks, Cassie is ready to testify within the rap mogul’s federal trial that’s anticipated to kick off on Might 5. She will even be utilizing her identify to take action. Prosecutors said in a movement […]
In Might 2024, CNN revealed a surveillance video from 2016 that confirmed Diddy kicking and grabbing Cassie, now 28, in a resort. The rapper later apologized in an Instagram video, saying, “My habits on that video is inexcusable. I take full duty for my actions in that video. “I used to be disgusted then once I did it. I’m disgusted now. … I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m really sorry.”
In April, prosecutors filed a movement saying that the individual talked about within the indictment underneath the alias “Sufferer-1” can be testifying underneath her personal identify. A number of retailers reported on the time that “Sufferer-1” is Cassie, however she has not publicly confirmed her involvement within the trial.
Maintain scrolling for every day updates from contained in the courtroom:
Might 5
As jury choice started, the choose opened with a joke about Diddy’s quite a few nicknames and quipped that the listing of potential jurors is so long as the famously intensive Lord of the Rings novels.
Us Weekly can affirm a number of potential jurors mentioned they’d seen information reviews concerning the CNN video that confirmed Diddy hitting Cassie in 2016 whereas they have been nonetheless relationship. One lady described a nonetheless picture from the video as “damning proof” and was faraway from consideration.
Prosecutors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing lawsuit have denied deliberately leaking footage of the disgraced rapper bodily assaulting his now-ex Cassie in 2016. In court docket paperwork filed on Wednesday, October 30, and obtained by Us Weekly, prosecutors opposed Diddy’s requests for a gag order associated to the video. “The Courtroom ought to deny the Leak Movement […]
At one level, Diddy additionally requested a toilet break, per the AP, telling the choose, “I’m sorry, your honor, I’m just a little nervous at present.”
A number of celebrities have been named as individuals who is likely to be talked about through the trial, and potential jurors have been requested to say whether or not they have been conversant in them. A number of the names talked about have been Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers, Kanye West, Child Cudi and Future’s Little one singer Michelle Williams, although it was not specified how they might be related to the proceedings.
Might 6
As jury choice continued, the choose revised his line of questioning about celebrities, asking potential jurors whether or not they “personally know” them somewhat than in the event that they’re simply “acquainted” with their names.
All through the day, the choose expressed “frustration” over receiving a number of potential jurors with “clear points,” resulting in the dismissal of assorted individuals for quite a lot of causes that included Crohn’s illness, listening to issues and one lady who described herself as a “very delicate individual” who as soon as fainted at a instructor mentioning the subject of oral intercourse.
When you or somebody has been sexually assaulted, contact the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). When you or somebody is experiencing home violence, please name the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assist. When you or somebody is a human trafficking sufferer, contact the Nationwide Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
