Star Witness In Diddy's Sex Trafficking Trial Confirmed Amid Jury Selection

Sean "Diddy" Combs is preparing to defend his reputation in court, and both teams are already experiencing some challenges as they begin jury selection.

Numerous New Yorkers will flock to the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan on Monday, May 5, to be questioned by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian — not Combs' attorneys or prosecutors. The judge must find 12 jurors and six alternates who will be impartial throughout the trial. If all goes according to plan, jury selection will last all week, followed by opening statements beginning on May 12. However, as we saw with Young Thug's trial, finalizing the jury may take more time.

According to Reuters, Judge Subramanian will question at least 150 potential jurors this week. The group of potential jurors was predetermined after they filled out a questionnaire meant to weed out any bias they may have about the case. The prosecution and the defense both agreed the list of name who will be questioned in-person by the judge, which is known as voir dire. The goal of voir dire is to select 45 potential jurors that prosecutors and Combs' lawyers will be able to question, and dismiss at their discretion, to determine the appropriate 12 jurors and six alternates.

Several factors will be considered to establish the jury in this trial. For example, there are the logistics of the trial's length. Even if they lock in 12 jurors and six alternates, the two-month proceedings during the summer might cause some people to drop out due to various hardships. Other factors like race, gender, and unchangeable biases could also reduce the jury pool. All jurors will remain anonymous throughout the trial to ensure their safety.

The defense might have a tough time finding a citizen who doesn't already have an opinion about Combs' case, especially since it has garnered so much press over the past two years. Prosecutors also have an advantage because the general public already believes the music mogul is guilty due to his ex-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura's lawsuit and the horrific 2016 video of Combs violently beating her in a hotel. Although he's not being charged for his actions in the video, a judge has allowed prosecutors to play the gruesome scene for the jury, which could play a role in their verdict.

Ventura will also be the prosecution's star witness during the trial. Combs' ex-girlfriend agreed to testify under her own name last month. It's not clear exactly what Ventura will attest to during her testimony, but she will face questioning from prosecutors and Combs' lawyers. The other two witnesses will testify anonymously.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to five counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He also denied allegations made in over 50 civil lawsuits filed against him since 2023. All verdicts must be unanimous. If convicted on the racketeering charge, Combs could face life in prison. The minimum sentence for sex trafficking is 15 years, while the maximum for transportation to engage in prostitution is 10 years.