The jury is nearing completion for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal criminal trial, following a vibrant and colorful selection process. However, the prosecution’s case against the renowned rap mogul might have encountered a significant hurdle. Federal prosecutors revealed that one of the four key witnesses scheduled to testify in the New York federal trial may not appear in court. This unexpected development raises concerns about the strength of the prosecution's argument.
On Friday, both the prosecution and defense teams will have the chance to question potential jurors in a second round aimed at delving deeper into their backgrounds. This inquiry will cover any experiences with violence and assess their ability to evaluate evidence related to sexual assault and abuse impartially. Combs faces serious charges in a five-count indictment, which includes sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty, firmly denying all allegations against him.
During the jury selection process this week, potential jurors received a pamphlet containing a series of personal questions designed to gauge their ability to remain unbiased. They were also presented with a list of prominent celebrities and locations, asked whether they could maintain impartiality if these names were discussed in court. The list notably included actor Michael B. Jordan and rapper Kid Cudi, both of whom have previously dated Combs’ on-again, off-again partner, Cassie Ventura. Interestingly, actor Mike Myers was also mentioned, although the reason remains unclear.
In addition to the questionnaire, jurors participated in one-on-one interviews conducted by Judge Arun Subramanian. During these interviews, one woman was dismissed after expressing that a recently leaked video of Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway could be “damning evidence.” This video has noticeably influenced the jury selection process, causing defense attorney Marc Agnifilo to express frustration regarding its impact.
Some potential jurors shared candid responses during the selection process. One juror made it through despite admitting to having “liked” a social media video featuring comedian Dave Chappelle, who humorously referenced the large quantity of baby oil discovered at Combs’ residence during a federal raid last year. The juror dismissed this as casual social media “doomscrolling.” Another juror mentioned being preoccupied with the release of Disney+’s Andor, a new Star Wars series, which distracted him from completing his questionnaire. His honest admission about binge-watching earned him some points with the judge.
After three days of jury selection, a total of 45 potential jurors have been identified to advance in the process. On Friday, the prosecution and defense will work to narrow this group down to 12 jurors, along with six alternates, who will ultimately serve on the trial jury. However, during the jury selection on Wednesday, prosecutors informed Judge Subramanian that they might have lost one of the four victims set to testify against Combs.
This witness, referred to as Victim 3 in the indictment, was expected to reveal how Combs allegedly “coerced her into sexual acts” and how she was “sexually exploited” by him. Prosecutor Maurene Comey indicated uncertainty about Victim 3’s appearance in court, highlighting difficulties in communicating with her legal counsel. Comey stated, “We do not know whether she intends to appear, and we are trying very hard to find out because we are having trouble communicating with her counsel.”
According to Comey, Victim 3 does not reside locally and may not attend, even with a subpoena in place. This revelation comes shortly after federal prosecutors had indicated that they had been in contact with her lawyer and that she was willing to use her real name in court. The prosecution team plans to provide a further update on this situation on Friday morning. Meanwhile, three other alleged victims of Combs are still expected to testify as the trial prepares to hear opening statements on Monday.
