Diddy faces life behind bars in sex trafficking, racketeering trial
incoming update…
Sean 'Diddy' Combs'
jury panel was not finalized Friday, despite the original trial schedule. Diddy's legal team was concerned about jurors getting cold feet over the weekend, and Judge Arun Subramanian agreed. The prosecution opposed this decision, wanting to narrow down the pool of 43 to 12 jurors, six alternates and three extras on Friday.
'This doesn't necessarily signal a struggle to seat the jury; it's more about being cautious and setting the trial up for a smooth start with minimal disruptions,' criminal defense lawyer Jo-Anna Nieves told Fox News Digital. 'It's a thoughtful and fairly common precaution.'
Criminal defense attorney Eric Faddis added, 'It's normal for different phases of the trial to take longer than expected, but apparently at least one of the 45 potential jurors remaining has recently asked to be removed from this controversial, high-profile case.'
The jury pool will be finalized before opening statements. Diddy's trial will likely last eight weeks.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrived at court in New York City on Monday, May 12, for opening statements. Before they begin, the defense and prosecution will finalize the jury panel of 12 jurors and six alternates.
Diddy walked into the courtroom at 8:52 am wearing a khaki sweater over a white shirt with khaki pants. He hugged each of his attorneys before making a heart with his hands and blowing a kiss towards his family seated in the courtroom.
The rapper's mom, Janice Combs, along with his six kids are supporting Diddy from the 2nd row.
Diddy was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17. He has maintained his innocence. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Authorities allege Diddy ran a criminal enterprise through his businesses, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises and Combs Global, among others. He used "firearms, threats of violence, coercion and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" to fulfill his sexual desires, according to prosecutors.
The prosecution and defense have estimated the disgraced music mogul's trial to last eight weeks, ending around the 4th of July.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' mother
Janice Combs arrived at court to support the rapper amid his sex-trafficking trial.
She was joined by his sons and daughters. The family has attended Diddy's court hearings leading up to trial.
Janice previously defended Diddy in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
"It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies," Janice Combs wrote in October. "To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words. Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence."
She pleaded, "My son is not the monster they have painted him to be, and he deserves the chance to tell his side. I can only pray that I am alive to see him speak his truth and be vindicated."
Jury selection is a completely private process, not available for the public to watch. The defense and prosecution are often looking for people who have little to no knowledge of what has gone on in the case so far, as to keep away biases.
Combs appeared anxious on the opening day of jury selection. After requesting a bathroom break at one point, he told the judge, "I'm a little nervous today."
While the public isn't allowed to watch the jury selection take place, court documents submitted ahead of trial shed light on what the defense and prosecution might be looking for in a potential juror.
For Sean 'Diddy' Combs'
case, his defense team submitted a proposed questionnaire ahead of his May 5 sex-trafficking trial. His lawyers want the potential jurors to be questioned on their views regarding sex, drugs and violence, according to a letter filed to Judge Arun Subramanian.
The prosecution criticized Diddy's proposed 72-question survey, claiming it was too long and asked questions not relevant to the allegations. Prospective jurors received the questionnaire ahead of the May 5 start date so that jury selection could begin that day. Opening statements will begin on May 12.
People interested in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex-trafficking trial and the day-to-day testimony will not be able to watch from home. Federal law prohibits cameras in the courtroom.
"Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom,' Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53 reads.
Diddy has appeared in court
a handful of times since his September arrest on federal sex-trafficking crimes. However, only court sketches have been made available to the public following his hearings. These typically depict Diddy, his legal team and often the judge presiding over his case.
Cameras are allowed outside of the courthouse, but it's unclear if Combs will be spotted since he will remain behind bars throughout the trial. However, Diddy's mom and children have been seen arriving and leaving from court in photographs and video.
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