How Jury Selection for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Sex-Trafficking Trial Will Work

Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex-trafficking trial is moving forward on May 5, with jury selection starting in earnest. Below, live updates from Manhattan federal court.

Cassie video called “damning” by one potential juror

Monday, May 5, at 3 p.m. ET: As questioning progressed, it became clear that Diddy’s trial might prove even more star-studded than expected. Prospective jurors were provided with a list of names and places that might come up during the trial and asked whether they recognized any. Several identified celebrities who they were familiar with, indicating that Kid Cudi, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Kanye West, Dallas Austin, Lauren London, and Laurieann Gibson could come up during trial. One potential juror said they heard a comedian joke about baby oil in the context of Diddy. (Authorities claim that they found stockpiles of baby oil while searching his home months before his arrest.)

At least four of the 15 prospects questioned before court broke for lunch at 1:25 said they had viewed the footage of Diddy apparently beating his ex Cassie Ventura, who is listed as “Victim-1” in the indictment. One of these four, who said she saw a still from the footage, wrote on her questionnaire that this video evidence “could be damning.” She also said, however, that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. When asked by the judge what she meant by “damning,” the woman said, “I guess because it was a photograph. I don’t know how else to say.” When this potential juror left the room, Diddy’s lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, asked for her to be excused for cause, saying he was concerned that she expressed such strong views about one of the “most important pieces” of evidence in the case. The judge ultimately excused her. 

Some prospects gave confusing answers. One man said “I do not like violence, I do not like looking at violence on video,” adding “When it comes to like skateboarders going down, crashing to the ground, I just can’t look at it,” when the judge pressed him on this. But, if he had to watch a video that was violence, he’d make himself get through it, he concluded. Another man said that he’d heard about Diddy’s parties which were notorious for their alleged rampant sex and drugs. “I listen to the Joe Rogan podcast and he had mentioned it in his podcast,” he said. The man claimed that nothing he had seen on the podcast or anywhere else would impact his impartiality as a juror. 

Diddy arrives

Monday, May 5, at noon: Diddy ditched his historically blingy civilian style for a soon-to-retire-professor vibe: a navy crew-neck sweater with a white button-down shirt underneath and gray slacks. He did not wear a tie. He had been wearing a jail uniform in prior proceedings but can wear normal clothes at his trial. Diddy did let his guard down a bit just before noon. His attorney asked for a bathroom break. The judge pushed back, saying he wanted to question more jurors. “I’m sorry, your honor, I’m a little nervous today,” Diddy responded and the judge okayed a brief break.

When prospective jurors entered the courtroom just after 10 a.m., Diddy stood to face them as they filed into rows in the courtroom gallery. Diddy looked at them attentively and offered the subtlest of nods. None of the some 60 candidates appeared to have any reaction whatsoever to the famous defendant in front of them. As they sat, some looked bored and tired; others appeared at the ready to do their civic duty. Even after Judge Arun Subramanian told them “This is a criminal case entitled United States if America versus Sean Combs” — and listed off his many nicknames — there didn’t seem to be much reaction, if any. 

The first prospect questioned, identified in court as Juror No. 2, was asked about answers on his questionnaire where he expressed familiarity with a name that could come up at trial: “Michael B. Jordan.” He did not know him personally. “I believe he’s some actor.” 

The man also explained why he’d gone through sexual-harassment training. “I’m a licensed massage therapist,” he said. 

Juror No. 4 also expressed familiarity with boldface names on the questionnaire. “I know that there’s a lot of celebrities there, but other than that, I don’t know much.” She was excused after indicating she might not be able to sit through traumatic testimony. 

Jury selection begins

Monday, May 5, at 9 a.m.: Dozens of prospective jurors will be asked about their questionnaire responses to identify anyone who might not be impartial. The potential panelists who made it to this voir dire stage are a subset of the some 600 prospects who filled out questionnaires. While the defense and prosecution have an unlimited amount of “for cause” challenges to dismiss a prospect, Subramanian will ultimately make the final call on if 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.

Potential jurors were likely asked on their questionnaires whether they had “read, seen, or heard anything about Mr. Combs or the criminal charges brought against Mr. Combs.” Questioning of jurors will unfold similar to how it did during Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial.

In the end, a total of 12 jurors need to be selected, as well as six alternates. An alternate juror will step up if a member of the jury has to drop out for some reason.