Introduction to the Case
Sean “Diddy” Combs confirmed at a hearing Thursday that he had rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors in his sex trafficking case, paving the way for his trial to begin next week. “Have you rejected the government’s offer?” U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing his trial in New York, asked him. “Yes, your honor,” Combs replied.
The Hearing and Plea Deal
Combs, wearing olive-colored clothing over a white thermal shirt, carried a black binder with notebooks in it as he entered the courtroom and waved to supporters in the gallery before he hugged and shook hands with his attorneys. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said that Combs’ legal team discussed the offer with him and that together they decided to reject it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said the proposal would have given Combs a lighter sentence than he would receive if he is found guilty at trial on all charges.
Trial Details
The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is scheduled to start May 5, a judge in New York declared on Thursday. The hearing was the last before the trial begins with jury selection Monday. Subramanian said voir dire, or the questioning of potential jurors, would be conducted in a way to protect jurors’ privacy, including possible disclosures about experiences with sexual or domestic abuse. Subramanian said he wanted to seat a jury of 12 and six alternates in three days.
Jury Selection Process
The court will call 50 jurors each day to the 26th-floor courtroom in Manhattan. Each juror will either be excused for cause or asked to return to the main courtroom for further questioning. The goal is to narrow the group to 45 people, who will each be interviewed separately with two attorneys from each side present. The court had requested 600 potential jurors. If prospective jurors want to speak privately, they will go into Subramanian’s chambers, where the media will be excluded, he said. The transcript for those parts would be sealed.
Concerns and Requests
Agnifilo had expressed concern that the media’s presence would prevent prospective jurors from speaking candidly. Given the amount of attention the case has received, particularly in recent days, Agnifilo asked the court to add a question to the juror survey, regarding a questionnaire already sent to prospective jurors: “Have you read anything since completing the questionnaire?” Subramanian agreed to do so. Comey said she understood the defense team had added two new attorneys and said prosecutors would like to know who they are. Agnifilo said that the new attorneys were in the courtroom, and that they would file their appearances by the end of the day. One of them is Xavier Donaldson, who has been present for several previous hearings.
Previous Developments
A prosecutor said at a hearing last week that Combs had been offered a plea deal, the details of which have not been made public. Subramanian asked all parties to be in his courtroom at 8 a.m. Monday and reminded them to avoid making public statements that could prejudice the trial’s outcome. The reminder came in response to a court filing this week, in which Combs’ attorneys asked Subramanian to bar lawyers for witnesses, including Douglas Wigdor and Lisa Bloom, who represent people who have filed separate civil suits against Combs, from speaking publicly about the trial until its conclusion.
Public Statements and Controversy
Combs attorney Teny Geragos said at Thursday’s hearing that Bloom had appeared on the BBC to try to bolster her client’s credibility. Bloom told the BBC that Richard was “absolutely terrified” of Combs. “It is deeply disturbing to us and could violate the rules of judicial conduct,” Geragos said. Bloom represents a John Doe and Dawn Richard, who was a member of two now-defunct groups formed by Combs, Danity Kane and a second one called Diddy — Dirty Money. “How hypocritical that Mr. Combs and his attorneys, having made public statements many times, now want to silence me,” Bloom said Thursday. “Accusers and their attorneys have every right to speak out. I am very proud to represent my brave clients, Dawn Richard and John Doe, in litigation against Mr. Combs.
Allegations Against Combs
Richard alleged in a suit filed last year, a week before Combs was arrested, that he had groped and threatened her and that she had witnessed him assaulting his former longtime girlfriend Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura. Richards’ suit is pending, along with dozens of others filed by men and women accusing Combs of sexual misconduct, which Combs has vehemently denied. Wigdor represents Ventura, whose bombshell lawsuit filed in November 2023 preceded the federal raids of his home in March 2024 and criminal charges. Ventura accused Combs of years of physical and emotional abuse and alleged that he forced her to have sex with male sex workers — encounters she said he called “freak offs” that were fueled by drugs and alcohol — while he masturbated and recorded them. Freak offs are at the center of the government’s case.
Conclusion
Combs is alleged in his five-count indictment to have coerced and threatened women to participate in sexual acts and silenced them through blackmail and violence. Prosecutors allege he had help from a network of associates and employees. The trial is set to begin, and the outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the jury’s verdict.
FAQs
- Q: What is Sean "Diddy" Combs charged with?
A: Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. - Q: What happened to the plea deal offered to Combs?
A: Combs rejected the plea deal, which would have given him a lighter sentence than he would receive if found guilty at trial on all charges. - Q: When is the trial scheduled to start?
A: The trial is scheduled to start on May 5. - Q: How will the jury selection process work?
A: The court will call 50 jurors each day, and each juror will either be excused for cause or asked to return for further questioning, with the goal of seating a jury of 12 and six alternates in three days. - Q: What is the nature of the allegations against Combs?
A: Combs is alleged to have coerced and threatened women to participate in sexual acts and silenced them through blackmail and violence, with prosecutors alleging he had help from a network of associates and employees.
