12 jurors are being chosen for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial on federal charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. This trial is taking place, and these jurors will listen to both the prosecution’s case against the music mogul and his defense. During a process called voir dire (French for “to speak the truth”), Judge Arun Subramanian is posing questions to potential jurors in the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in Lower Manhattan this week, as both sides have submitted these questions.
One at a time, the judge is questioning prospective jurors to eliminate some, leaving 45 who can be dismissed by either the defense or prosecution without needing to provide a reason. The questions cover topics like whether they’ve heard about accusations against the hip-hop mogul, watched the CNN video showing Combs assaulting a woman in a hotel hallway, or if they’ve heard any jokes related to baby oil after federal raids on his homes and seizure of evidence. One potential juror admitted he had heard about it.
On Monday, Subramanian excused another potential juror as she stated that an image showing Combs standing above a woman on the floor might serve as compelling evidence. Conversely, another juror was kept when she declared she had previously seen a clip of that incident but assured the judge that she’d approach the trial with an unbiased mind, based on reports from inside the courtroom by MSN.
In this scenario, the defense is sharing their desired questions for prospective jurors, while the prosecution presents questions the judge will pose to the jury pool during the selection process of the 12 main jurors and 6 alternatives.
The defense wants to inquire about potential jurors’ thoughts, while the prosecution suggests that the judge should query the jury pool during their selection.
—
As per the court’s schedule outlined in ECF 125, here are the defense’s proposed questions I, as defendant Sean Combs, will ask potential jurors during the jury selection process:
1. Have you formed an opinion about this case prior to being summoned for duty? If so, please explain.
2. Can you set aside any preconceived notions or biases you may have and fairly evaluate the evidence presented in this trial?
3. Are there any factors that could prevent you from rendering a fair and impartial verdict based on the facts of the case and the law as instructed by the court?
4. Have you ever been involved in a legal dispute or lawsuit, either as a plaintiff or defendant? If so, please describe the nature of that dispute and its outcome.
5. Are there any family members, friends, or acquaintances who are directly or indirectly involved in law enforcement or the criminal justice system? If so, please explain how this could potentially impact your ability to judge impartially in this case.
6. Have you ever served on a jury before, and if so, can you describe your experience as a juror?
7. Are there any media outlets or sources of information that you rely on heavily for news, entertainment, or other content related to this case or similar cases? If so, please explain how this could potentially impact your ability to be an impartial juror in this trial.
8. Do you have any personal beliefs, values, or experiences that might make it difficult for you to follow the court’s instructions and render a verdict based solely on the evidence presented in this case? If so, please explain.
9. Are there any other factors or circumstances that you believe could potentially affect your ability to serve as a fair and impartial juror in this trial? If so, please describe them.
1. What is your age?
2. What is your sex?
3. What is your gender identity?
4. In what city and county do you live?
5. Who, if anyone, do you live with?
As a dedicated admirer, here’s how I might rephrase the question to reflect a first-person perspective:
a. If I’m married or in a relationship, what does my significant other do for a living and where do they work? And, how many years have they been with their employer or involved in that profession?
b. What exactly are the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities my partner handles in their job?
Are there any kids in your family? If yes, could you tell me their ages? And, if you have grown-up children, what kind of jobs (if any) do they currently hold?
Are you currently employed? If so, who is your current employer and what is your position there? Or, if not, when did you last work and could you explain your most recent employment details, including the company, role, and main responsibilities? Also, were you responsible for managing or supervising others as part of that job?
10. Could you tell me about the highest educational qualification you’ve achieved, and if so, what subject did you specialize in for any bachelor’s or master’s degrees you hold?
Here’s a series of professional fields I’d like you to go through. Could you let me know if you, or someone you’re particularly close to, possesses any education, practical skills, or unique expertise in these areas? If so, please share some details about your/their background and experience:
a. Company
b. Training on Preventing Sexual Assault
c. Training on Preventing Sexual Harassment
d. Training on Domestic Violence Awareness
e. Mental Health Case Studies (Psychiatry/Psychology)
f. Protection or Safety Services
g. Substance Abuse Treatment/Counseling
h. Money Management or Economics
i. Legal Matters or Public Safety
1. Which clubs, groups, or organizations are you a member of or actively involved with (such as church communities, professional societies, volunteer initiatives, human rights associations, etc.)?
2. If your significant other has one, which clubs, groups, or organizations does their partner belong to or regularly participate in?
How do you typically spend your leisure hours? Could you share some of the activities, hobbies, or passions that you pursue apart from work and family obligations?
13. Do you use any social media platforms? If yes, which ones?
14. How do you get your news?
1. Which newspapers, magazines, online platforms, or publications do you frequently check out? Are there any specific news services you prefer?
2. Do you tune in to any podcasts? If yes, could you name the ones you enjoy listening to?
I will present three approaches for making group decisions, could you kindly identify the method that most closely resembles your decision-making process:
- Strongly express your views to get the outcome you believe is best
I’ll jump into the conversation and do my best to assist us all in reaching an agreement. I’ll pay attention to what seems to be the popular opinion, but still keep an open mind. Let’s find a solution that works for everyone!
16. Do you believe you make most decisions based on intuition or the examination of facts?
1. Have you ever had any personal encounters or views regarding substance abuse or dependency, such as drugs or alcohol? If so, could you share your story with us?
2. During the course of this trial, there will be discussions about illicit drug and alcohol use. Given your background, might this be challenging for you to hear about?
In the current trial, the accused is a well-known, affluent person. Does your opinion about rich individuals potentially influence your capacity to act as an unbiased juror in this specific case?
a. Do you believe that wealthy people get away with things that the less wealthy do not?
19. What kind of music do you like?
a. How frequently do you enjoy listening to tunes?
b. What are your thoughts on the hip-hop and rap music scene or its influential figures within this genre?
c. Could you share your opinions about them if you have any?
A. The Charges
In this discussion, it’s important to clarify why I’ll be asking some questions. Let me explain the nature of the case briefly: Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, PD, and Love, is accused of committing certain federal offenses. An official document, called an Indictment, was filed by a grand jury in this district against him. This Indictment outlines the charges he is facing.
In this trial, it’s essential to understand that an Indictment doesn’t serve as proof itself; instead, it outlines the allegations the government must verify beyond any reasonable doubt. I aim to provide a concise overview of these charges, which will help you grasp the legal context while evaluating the evidence presented during the trial, culminating in your decision at its conclusion.
The Indictment contains five counts or charges:
It’s alleged that the defendant was involved in a criminal conspiracy from around 2004 to approximately 2024. During this period, it’s claimed he conspired with his business associates and employees to carry out various illegal activities such as kidnapping, arson, bribing witnesses, obstructing justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution.
Charges Two alleges that the defendant forced, deceived, or coerced a woman into sex trafficking between approximately 2009 and around 2018.
Count Three alleges that the defendant transferred a woman, along with other commercial sex workers, for the purpose of prostitution during the years roughly spanning from 2009 to 2018.
In approximately 2021 and up until around 2024, Count Four accuses the defendant of engaging in sex trafficking involving a second adult female victim by means of force, deceit, or manipulation.
Count Five alleges that the defendant moved the second female victim, as well as other male sex workers, for the purpose of prostitution from around 2021 until approximately 2024.
B. General Ability to Serve
Do you think you’d find it challenging to adhere to the guidelines I’ve recently explained, given their core ideas?
3. Apart from what you’ve previously asked, do you possess any additional insights about the allegations in the indictment as I’ve explained them?
3. It’s not an enjoyable task to declare someone else as guilty for committing a crime. If the evidence clearly proves the defendant’s guilt without any reasonable doubt, would you feel comfortable disclosing this fact?
Can’t find a guilty verdict due to factors independent of the law and evidence presented? If the evidence doesn’t prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, wouldn’t you be unable to pronounce a ‘not guilty’ verdict for reasons unconnected to the law and evidence?
6. As a gamer, I find it hard to imagine any bias or preconceived notions that might influence your judgment on this gaming-related case I’ve outlined, since I haven’t seen any signs of such biases in the questions you’ve asked so far. Is there anything specific I should be aware of that I may have missed?
C. Knowledge of the Trial Participants
6. In your questionnaire, it was mentioned that Sean Combs is represented by a team consisting of Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos, Anna Estevao, Alexandra Shapiro, Jason Driscoll, and Brian Steel [This list will aid you]. Can you identify any of these people as they are present here today?
8. Just as mentioned in your questionnaire, in this case as well as any other where they are involved, the prosecution, referred to as the Government here, is represented by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York – Jay Clayton.
The upcoming trial will be primarily supervised by Assistants United States Attorneys Maurene Comey, Meredith Foster, Emily Johnson, Christy Slavik, Madison Smyser, and Mitzi Steiner. They will have the support of HSI Special Agent Sean Quinn, HSI Special Agent Kiera Murphy, and HSI Task Force Officer Phil Adaszewski, alongside Shannon Becker, Lucy Gavin, and Chanel Foster, who are paralegal specialists in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. [Please rise as I introduce them]. Are any of these individuals familiar to you?
Do you know any other individuals who were present in the courtroom, such as court staff or me? Did any of them appear to be among your fellow jurors when we were waiting in the jury assembly room?
I’m going to give you a list that contains the names of people possibly involved in the trial or who might serve as witnesses. Make sure to read this list quietly, and refrain from speaking any of their names aloud.
As a gamer speaking candidly about my experiences, I’ll refer to these individuals by their chosen pseudonyms to respect their privacy:
1. John Doe – a fellow player who’s been instrumental in guiding me through some challenging levels.
2. Jane Roe – an exceptional strategist whose insights have significantly improved my gaming skills.
3. Alex Mills – a friendly competitor who’s always ready for a game, pushing me to improve.
4. Kim Nguyen – a dedicated player who’s willing to share tips and tricks, making the game more enjoyable.
By using these pseudonyms, I ensure that their true identities remain confidential while still giving them the credit they deserve in the gaming community.
Kindly respond to the queries by using solely the numbers associated with each name, refraining from uttering names explicitly.
Are any of you acquainted with any of the folks on that list in a personal capacity? Have you interacted, either directly or indirectly, with any of these persons? To the best of your knowledge, have any of your family members, friends, or contacts had interactions with any of these individuals?
D. Knowledge of Locations
Are there any of these locations you might recognize, as they could potentially come up during the court proceedings?
- (The government will submit a list of places in advance of trial.)
E. Relationship With and Views Regarding Government and Defense
11. Have you ever studied or practiced law or worked in any capacity for a law office?
Have you or does someone close to you have experience working with or for any federal, state, or local law enforcement bodies such as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in any role, including as a contractor?
Has anyone related to you or someone close, such as a family member or friend, ever worked with or had connections to a criminal defense attorney or private investigator?
Have I, as a gamer, ever found myself embroiled in any legal matters or future disagreements with the U.S. government or its officials? If yes, please share details.
15. Are there any opinions you hold regarding the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, HSI, the NYPD, or any other law enforcement agency that might impact your capacity to remain unbiased and objective?
16. Are there any personal opinions or biases you hold towards criminal defense attorneys that could potentially impact your capacity for neutrality and objectivity while making decisions?
F. Experience With and Opinions of Legal Proceedings and Relevant Topics
Has anyone you know, family member or close friend, ever been involved in a legal proceeding at either the state or federal level, be it criminal or civil, serving as a witness, plaintiff, or defendant? If that’s the case, could you describe the nature of the lawsuit?
If so, what was your role in that case?
If it’s the case, could there be any aspects related to your previous encounter that might make it difficult for you to remain neutral and unbiased as a juror in this trial?
Have I, or anyone close to me such as a relative or friend, ever taken part in an investigation led by a federal or state grand jury, a congressional or state legislative committee, a licensing authority, or any governmental agency, or been questioned by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency? If this is the case, is there anything from that experience that might hinder me from being an objective and impartial juror in this trial?
Have you, or anyone related to you or very close to you, ever received a summons to appear in court for an inquiry or investigation? If the answer is yes, does any aspect of that encounter hinder your ability to judge fairly and objectively in this trial?
20. Have you, or has anyone closely related to you or a close friend of yours, ever been the focus of an inquiry or been accused by a grand jury, whether state, federal, or any other investigating body? If that’s the case, is there anything from that experience that might make it difficult for you to judge this case impartially and fairly?
21. Has any crime ever been committed against you, or any of your family members or close acquaintances? If that’s the case, could you share some details about the incident? This includes the nature of the crime, when it took place, and where it occurred.
Regarding the results from any police procedure, is there anything in your past encounter with law enforcement that might influence your capacity to judge this situation objectively and without bias?
Or:
In connection with this case, have you been involved with law enforcement previously in a way that could potentially impact your ability to remain impartial and unbiased?
22. In this trial, you might encounter evidence concerning violent acts such as domestic abuse and other attacks. Is there anything about your emotions, opinions, or personal history connected to these kinds of incidents that could potentially influence your capacity for objectivity and fairness in handling this case?
23. During this trial, you might encounter evidence concerning sexual assault, which includes rape. Does anything about this part of the case evoke personal emotions, opinions, or past occurrences within you that could potentially influence your objectivity and fairness while judging this case?
24. In this particular case, you might encounter evidence concerning the exchange of money for sexual services provided by commercial sex workers. Can you share any personal sentiments, opinions, or encounters regarding prostitution and the applicable laws that may influence your objectivity and impartiality in handling this case?
25. [The Government mentions that, based on the results of ongoing court procedures, this question could potentially be left unanswered.]
26. During the proceedings, you might encounter information regarding firearms. Is there anything about guns, their regulation, or your personal views and experiences that might influence your objectivity and fairness in this trial?
Read More
- Ludus promo codes (April 2025)
- DEEP PREDICTION. DEEP cryptocurrency
- CXT PREDICTION. CXT cryptocurrency
- DOT PREDICTION. DOT cryptocurrency
- Fortress Saga tier list – Ranking every hero
- Mini Heroes Magic Throne tier list
- AFK Journey kicks off its crossover with the popular anime Fairy Tail
- The Mr Rabbit Magic Show is a new, completely free, and macabre creation from Rusty Lake
- Tap Force tier list of all characters that you can pick
- Maiden Academy tier list
2025-05-06 00:26