On Might 12, 2025, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal legal trial in New York Metropolis is ready to advance considerably. Right here’s what to anticipate primarily based on the most recent updates:
- Closing Jury Choice: The day begins at 9 a.m. with attorneys making peremptory strikes to finalize the jury from a pool of 43 potential jurors, narrowed down from 600. The objective is to seat 12 jurors and 6 alternates. This course of is predicted to take lower than an hour, as considerations about jurors dropping out over the weekend prompted a delay from Friday.
- Opening Statements: As soon as the jury is sworn in, opening statements from each the prosecution and protection are scheduled to begin. These will define the case’s framework, with prosecutors alleging Combs ran a legal enterprise involving intercourse trafficking, racketeering, and coercion, whereas the protection is predicted to argue that any sexual actions had been consensual and a part of a “swingers” life-style.
- Key Case Particulars: Combs faces 5 expenses: one depend of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking by power, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution. Prosecutors declare he orchestrated “Freak Offs,” drug-fueled intercourse performances involving coercion, with proof together with movies and gadgets like 1,000 bottles of child oil seized from his properties. The protection might problem proof like a 2016 resort surveillance video exhibiting Combs assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, claiming it was altered, although the choose has dominated it admissible.
- Witness Expectations: Whereas no witnesses are confirmed for as we speak, the prosecution plans to name at the least three, probably 4, accusers, together with Ventura and probably Daybreak Richard from Danity Kane. One alleged sufferer, “Sufferer-3,” might not testify as a result of difficulties contacting her lawyer. The protection intends to argue mutual violence in Combs’ relationship with Ventura to counter coercion claims.
- Courtroom Dynamics: The trial, held on the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse below Choose Arun Subramanian, is not going to be televised, as is typical for federal circumstances. Spectators are already lining up, indicating excessive public curiosity. Combs, who has been in custody since September 2024, is predicted to look, with members of the family like his mom and youngsters doubtless current.
- Protection Technique Preview: Combs’ authorized staff, led by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, might emphasize consent and query the credibility of accusers, portraying Combs as focused as a result of his fame and race. They’ve additionally indicated Combs might testify to share his perspective, a dangerous transfer to counter the prosecution’s narrative of abuse spanning 2004–2024.
The trial is predicted to final about eight weeks, with graphic testimony and proof more likely to dominate headlines. For real-time updates, shops like USA TODAY and Courtroom TV will present reside courtroom protection.
