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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.

One Direction’s Niall Horan has been with his partner Amelia Woolley for five years now and the couple are said to have made a development in their relationship recently

Singer-songwriter Niall Horan is reportedly “laying down his roots” with a new home that he’s said to have bought for himself and his partner Amelia Woolley recently. Now, those close to Niall are claiming that the move is the next step in their relationship.

It was reported just last month that Niall, 31, had spent £10 million on a house in London. The six-bedroom property was described as a “proper family home” for the musician, who’s best known for formerly being a member of One Direction, and his partner Amelia, 27, as well as the couple’s dog.

Following the news, it’s now been claimed that Niall’s inner circle after “thrilled” by the apparent latest development in his relationship with Amelia. They are thought to have been together since 2020, with it reported that year that they began a romance amid lockdown in the Covid pandemic.

A source told the Sun that whilst Niall enjoys touring, the apparent new home is him “laying down his roots”. They said: “Niall loves travelling and touring but this is him really laying down his roots with his new home with Mia.”

The source went on to tell the outlet: “All of Niall’s loved ones have totally embraced Amelia, they can see how happy she makes him. She is part of the family.”

The outlet claims that it was Amelia’s “normal job” that first endeared her to Niall’s family when she was introduced to them in 2021. She’s said to currently work as an international sales and marketing manager for the Forest Road Brewery Company.

It adds that Amelia once studied fashion business at the Istituto Marangoni in London. She’s said to have worked for brands like Nicholas Kirkwood, with it previously reported that she was working for the shoe designer brand when she met Niall.

Niall’s mother, Maura Gallagher, spoke about Amelia, who’s said to have grown up in Birmingham, on RTÉ Radio 1 in 2022. Before sharing her thoughts, she recalled her son bringing his girlfriend, whom she didn’t name, home to Ireland, saying: “He’s brought her home to Mullingar.”

Asked she had met his girlfriend, Maura confirmed that she had and shared praise. She revealed on the radio show three years ago: “I have indeed. She’s a lovely girl.”

When asked where Niall’s partner was from, his mother said: “She’s from England and she’s not in the business, so that’s a good one!” Maura went on to agree that she was “very impressed” by her son’s latest partner.

Her comments came after Niall had previously been linked to other celebrities over the course of his career. They include fellow singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding and actor Hailee Steinfeld.

Given an insight into his relationship with Amelia, Niall told Cosmopolitan in 2023: “I wouldn’t say I’m like ‘rose petals on the floor’ type of romantic, but I’m good at caring. I’m good at making dinners and the day-to-day stuff.” Speaking about love languages, he added: “I’m good at words of affirmation and I’m good at touch.”

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