Live Updates: Sean Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Set to Begin in Manhattan

New York Times

12-05-2025

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The trial of the music mogul Sean Combs, who is facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, is set to begin Monday at Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan.
For up to eight weeks, jurors are expected to hear graphic testimony accusing Mr. Combs, 55, of violence and of coercing several women — including his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, the singer known as Cassie — into sex.
Here's what else to know: The day at court: The selection and swearing-in of 18 jurors, including six alternates, is expected to be completed Monday morning. Then the prosecution and the defense are expected to make their opening statements to jurors, and the first witnesses are set to be called by prosecutors.
The prosecution: Prosecutors are expected to argue that Mr. Combs is a serial abuser of women and the leader of a criminal enterprise that worked to fulfill his sexual desires and cover up his abuse.
The defense: His defense lawyers are expected to argue that the sex between Mr. Combs and the women who are part of the case was entirely consensual, and that the government has painted an unfair picture of Mr. Combs's businesses and employees.
No video or photography: In keeping with longstanding rules at federal courts, there will be no video or photography from the courtroom. Who is Sean Combs? Combs played a significant role in making hip-hop a global cultural force, and helped turn rap and R&B artists like the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige into household names.
Who is the judge? Judge Arun Subramanian, who is presiding over the trial, is relatively new to the federal bench. He is the first judge of South Asian descent at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. And he likes karaoke.
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