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Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Gets Win in One Case While on Trial in Another
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A federal judge has ruled that a woman suing music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs under the pseudonym "Jane Doe" cannot remain anonymous, delivering a legal victory for Combs as he simultaneously faces a separate federal criminal trial. In his federal trial, Combs was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has been accused of operating a sex trafficking ring for more than 20 years. Why It Matters The decision by the federal judge comes in one of several civil cases filed against Combs. The ruling strips anonymity protections from a plaintiff who alleges she was drugged and raped by Combs in a Las Vegas hotel suite in 2014. The claim was filed amid broader accusations from multiple women and men of misconduct and abuse. Combs had pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges and denies any wrongdoing. Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. zz/Zephyr/STAR MAX/IPx What To Know The woman filed her complaint last October in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, detailing an alleged encounter at an exclusive Memorial Day weekend party hosted by Combs. According to her suit, she was invited by a promoter known as "International Smoove" to Combs' Las Vegas afterparty, where she consumed a drink from an open bottle of vodka. She claimed she became dizzy and later awoke disoriented and groggy. She said Combs was in the corner of the room, shirtless, and "it was clear that someone else had been in the bed with her." She alleges she was raped while unconscious. Newsweek reached out to the Buzbee Law Firm, which is representing the plaintiff, and representatives for Combs for comment. Combs' attorneys opposed the plaintiff's request to proceed anonymously, arguing in a March court filing that the law presumes openness in judicial proceedings and that she failed to offer compelling evidence that disclosure of her name would subject her to harm. "Plaintiff seeks an unfair litigation advantage," they wrote, claiming anonymity would limit the defense's ability to investigate her claims or identify relevant witnesses. Judge Vernon S. Broderick sided with Combs' attorneys in Tuesday's order, finding that "the prejudice to Defendants of Plaintiff proceeding anonymously and the public's interest in monitoring proceedings about a public figure outweigh Plaintiff's interest in proceeding anonymously." He noted that the plaintiff had not presented "particularized evidence" that disclosure would cause her severe mental or physical harm, calling her attorney's statements too "conclusory." He also cited the broader context of Combs' legal entanglements, observing that the plaintiff's attorneys are involved in at least 21 cases against Combs. He said similar decisions have been made in these cases "I consider these decisions in evaluating Plaintiff's request," Broderick wrote. What People Are Saying Broderick, in an order: "Plaintiff failed to show specific threats or harms she would face that would strengthen her interest in proceeding anonymously." Combs' attorneys, in a memorandum opposing the motion: "Plaintiff should not be permitted to conduct the entirety of these proceedings under the cloak of anonymity, with the resulting prejudice to the public interest and the Combs Defendants' ability to defend themselves." Attorneys for the plaintiff, in a complaint: "Through this case, Plaintiff seeks a full measure of justice from a man who thought his power, money and influence rendered him untouchable. Plaintiff joins many other victims by filing this Complaint in hopes their common voice makes it impossible for Combs to assault another person ever again." What Happens Next With the ruling, the plaintiff will be required to amend her complaint to include her legal name by May 20 unless she files an appeal or withdraws the lawsuit. The case will proceed as Combs continues to fight multiple civil suits and a high-profile criminal trial. The ruling may shape how other courts weigh similar anonymity requests in related lawsuits brought by plaintiffs against Combs. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex Trafficking Trial To Begin: Latest Updates
The federal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs begins today in Lower Manhattan, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The case is expected to last up to eight weeks and includes allegations from several women, including singer Cassie Ventura, who say Combs used violence and coercion for sex. 09:32 AM EDT Why Sean 'Diddy' Combs lawyers are focusing on what jurors aren't saying Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. zz/Zephyr/STAR MAX/IPx Jury selection in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs entered its third day on Wednesday, and a jury consulting expert said body language from potential jurors could play an important role in the process. The charges against Combs have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, given his longstanding influence as a rapper, producer and entrepreneur. With potential legal ramifications that could reshape his career, the trial has become a focal point for both media and public attention. Jury selection is expected to play a pivotal role in the case, potentially influencing the outcome based on who is chosen to serve. Hiliary Remick, managing director of jury consulting at Magna Legal Services, explained the role body language could play in jury selection. "The trick for the defendant is to figure out whether these jurors are giving off any other signals," Remick told Newsweek. "So they might be looking at the jurors to see if there's anything from body language that they can detect that might mean they really want to be on this jury." Read the full story by Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Why Sean 'Diddy' Combs Lawyers Are Focusing on What Jurors Aren't Saying
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jury selection in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs entered its third day on Wednesday, and a jury consulting expert said body language from potential jurors could play an important role in the process. Why It Matters The charges against Combs have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, given his longstanding influence as a rapper, producer and entrepreneur. With potential legal ramifications that could reshape his career, the trial has become a focal point for both media and public attention. Jury selection is expected to play a pivotal role in the case, potentially influencing the outcome based on who is chosen to serve. What To Know Hiliary Remick, managing director of jury consulting at Magna Legal Services, explained the role body language could play in jury selection. "The trick for the defendant is to figure out whether these jurors are giving off any other signals," Remick told Newsweek. "So they might be looking at the jurors to see if there's anything from body language that they can detect that might mean they really want to be on this jury." Combs is facing federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denies any wrongdoing. Remick said that media coverage of the case is a "real struggle." "I think there's a real risk of jurors not being candid about their beliefs concerning this pre-existing information," Remick said. Combs was formally charged in September of last year. Prosecutors allege that the artist used his influence and connections to facilitate illegal activities involving multiple victims. If convicted, he faces life in prison. Combs made headlines in May of last year when surveillance footage from 2016 showed him grabbing, shoving, dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a California hotel. The video was widely circulated online and Remick sees it being a "big issue" in picking a jury. Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. zz/Zephyr/STAR MAX/IPx "You hear some of the potential jurors already talking about having seen the video, or having it had an impact on them, and for the defendant, even if jurors say that they can be fair or get past it, that kind of pre-existing information could be tough to get past," Remick said. Throughout the jury selection process, several celebrities' names have been mentioned, including rappers Kid Cudi and Kanye West, and actor Michael B. Jordan. Jurors were given a list of at least 190 people, including celebrities and public figures, and asked to indicate the names they recognized. It is unclear how the names on the list relate to Combs' trial. "Jurors can be swayed by the power of celebrity, not only in Mr. Combs, but in the potential witnesses," Remick said. What People Are Saying Remick, in an interview with Newsweek: "We'll look for whether jurors seem forthcoming and honest, and that's going to come in the form of not only their words, but their body language." Combs' lawyers, in a statement to CBS News New York last month: "These are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion." What Happens Next Opening statements are expected to begin on May 12. The trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. If convicted, Combs faces potentially decades in prison. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
