Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial Sees Jury Finalization Kicked to Monday So No One Gets “Cold Feet”

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The decision on who will compose the final 12 jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial has been delayed until Monday to ensure that those chosen do not experience a change of heart, given the high-profile nature and intense scrutiny surrounding this case. The outcome could potentially see the rap entrepreneur either freed or imprisoned for life.

On Friday, attorneys for both prosecution and defense began to thoroughly examine 43 potential jurors, aiming to reduce this group to 12 main jurors and six alternates through the use of their discretionary strikes. Over the past week, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian had individually interviewed each one of them, ensuring they could remain impartial and open-minded during the trial of this high-profile case. Several potential jurors admitted to having prior knowledge of Combs, with a significant portion familiar with footage leaked on CNN depicting his altercation with an ex-girlfriend from a nearly decade-old incident at a Los Angeles hotel.

Judge Subramanian’s memo announces that a hearing will take place on May 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 26A, Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse, located at 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007. During this hearing, the parties will have the opportunity to exercise their challenge strikes. Any remaining issues that need to be addressed before the start of trial should be brought up by May 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

Regardless of Combs’ widespread popularity, an adequate number of jurors were found suitable, ensuring that the required number of men and women to serve on the jury was met by the deadline. Up until this morning, it appeared that the opening arguments in the highly anticipated eight-week trial would kick off first thing on Monday morning. However, lead defense attorney Marc Agnifilo voiced concerns Friday morning about finalizing the 12 jurors and six alternates today, as some of the chosen jurors might develop “cold feet” over the weekend and choose to back out, causing additional delays. Judge Subramanian acknowledged this potential issue and adjourned the court for the day. Final jury selection will resume first thing on Monday, followed immediately by opening statements once the jury is in place.

Authorities have alleged that Combs utilized his multi-billion dollar enterprise as a platform for criminal activities, including sex trafficking, forced labor, prostitution, coercion, enticement to engage in prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstructing justice. Federal prosecutors presented this case in a five-count indictment, initially revealed prior to Combs’ arrest in Manhattan in September, with further charges being added over the following months.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charge and denied all accusations against him.

This week in court, the defense team has signaled that they intend to portray Combs’ relationship with Ventura, who is identified as Victim-1 in the indictment and will testify using her real name, as one where the violence was mutual rather than solely one-sided. They claim that both parties were involved in violent acts towards each other during their tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship.

[The defense team] plans to argue that there was mutual aggression in their relationship, involving physical attacks from both parties – this is essentially a case of domestic violence,” Agnifilo explained during the discussion about the boundaries of Ventura’s cross-examination related to medical history. “We will certainly acknowledge domestic violence. However, we question when does it transform into coercion?

Ventura is among the four expected witnesses that the prosecution plans to call upon to testify against Combs. Yet, it was disclosed on Thursday that there’s uncertainty regarding the attendance of one of these witnesses, as they’ve recently lost touch with her over the last week.

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2025-05-09 21:54