Archive May 12, 2025

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial that’s been dubbed America’s celebrity trial of the century has kicked off in New York City as the music mogul faces serious charges that he denies

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial is expected to reveal celebrity names and show footage from his alleged Freak Offs. The rapper’s trial began in New York City today, with his mum and six children filling the courthouse.

Opening statements were read out following the jury selection in what has been called America’s celebrity trial of the century. The 55-year-old music mogul is accused of a number of serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex ­trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He has continued to deny all allegations against him since he was charged and put behind bars last year, with his multiple bail pleas rejected.

Today, the opening statements have given the public a preview of what to expect throughout the trial. Prosecutors have claimed that Combs, with help of his staff, “abused, threatened and coerced women” into drug-fuelled sex orgies, which he called “Freak Offs.”

They are expected to show recordings of alleged Freak Offs, which Combs has argued were consensual. The federal government’s case against Combs also includes 2016 hotel surveillance footage of him physically assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. She is expected to testify against him.

The judge, Arun Subramanian, issued a caution to jurors to be careful about what they consider as evidence. “Questions are not evidence,” Subramanian said to the jury. “Only the answers given by the witnesses and the documents are evidence”

The 12 jurors were sworn in following a delay due to concerns that some might drop out over the weekend if the panel was finalised on Friday as originally planned.

Combs’s defence team had requested the delay, but prosecutors had opposed the postponement. Prospective jurors were asked if they were familiar with several celebrities who may come up during the trial.

They were asked about their knowledge of Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West. It is unclear if the celebrities will be called to testify, and they have not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani previously said the public should be prepared to hear the names of celebrities during the trial, according to the Sun.

Federal prosecutors in New York alleged Combs “abused, threatened and coerced women” into long, drug-fuelled orgies with male prostitutes he called “freak offs” and even threatened them into silence.

The indictment against him stated: “After Freak Offs, Combs and the victims typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use.”

He pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution charges, which is five counts in all.

Combs’ defence attorneys, including Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, have claimed his sexual encounters have all been consensual and said the rapper is a swinger who sometimes invited people into his bedroom.

If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999

Opening statements started Monday in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul accused of committing years of chilling abuse.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty on all counts, which include a racketeering charge alleging the hip-hop pioneer led a sex crime ring that included drug-fueled sex parties by use of force, threats and violence.

“He used his companies to manipulate women, forcing them with male escorts to have sex while he watched. He and his inner circle made sure he got everything he wanted,” said prosecutor Emily Johnson.

The panel of 12 jurors — eight men and four women — and six alternates responsible for determining Combs’s fate was finalized Monday.

The process was pushed back after Judge Arun Subramanian voiced concern candidates might get “cold feet” over the weekend.

READ ALSO: Jury Selection Begins In Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sex Crimes Trial

Last week potential jurors were vetted including on their ability to fairly hear evidence from hip-hop artists, sex workers and people involved in the use and distribution of drugs.

The selected jurors will remain anonymous, but not sequestered — meaning they must individually ensure they stay away from media coverage and social media commentary about the high-profile case.

Prosecutors struck seven prospective jurors who were Black, prompting Combs’s defense team to allege bias.

“We believe (it) amounts to a pattern,” said Marc Agnifilo, although the judge said it was not purposeful discrimination and allowed the prospectives to be dismissed.

Combs, who was for decades one of music’s powerhouse figures, appears aged, his once jet-black hair now gray.

Combs was joined at the courthouse by his mother Janice and 17-year-old twin daughters, and wore a white dress shirt under a beige sweatshirt with khaki pants and black-rimmed glasses.

He appeared alert and interacted with his lawyers and some of those seated in the public gallery.

There was a scrum of journalists and curious members of the public braving tight security, eager to catch a glimpse of the fallen music mogul.

If convicted, the one-time rap producer and global superstar, who is often credited for his role in bringing hip-hop into the mainstream, could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Prosecutors allege he held sex parties — also known as “freak-offs” — that were coercive and criminal.

But his defense lawyers say the events were in fact entirely consensual, and simply part of Combs’s “swinger” lifestyle.

 ‘Damning’ video evidence

Core to the case against Combs is his relationship with his former girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who is expected to be a key trial witness.

A disturbing surveillance video from 2016 shows Combs physically assaulting Ventura at a hotel.

It is unclear how much of the CNN video will be shown to jurors as evidence — the footage quality has been a sticking point between the opposing legal teams — but Subramanian has ruled that at least some of it will be admissible.

But it has been widely broadcast both in media reports and across social media channels.

Some potentials for the jury told the court they had seen that video. One prospective panelist — who was dismissed — described the video as “damning.”

Another was sent home after saying that his wife, a former attorney, had told him about taking depositions related to a deadly crowd crush at an event organized by Combs in 1991.

“She found his behavior disturbing, she does not like him,” said the man.

But others said they believed they could still assess the evidence fairly despite already having seen the video.

The proceedings are expected to last eight to 10 weeks.