After intense vetting, a jury has officially been seated for the high-profile trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. The panel is made up of eight men and four women — plus six alternates ready to step in if needed. Four of the jurors are white while the rest have been listed as ‘non-white’.
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This group represents a cross-section of the NYC area, with jurors hailing from Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester. Their professions are just as diverse: among them are an investment analyst, a physician assistant, a massage therapist, a deli worker, a scientist, a social worker, and an architect.
Diddy’s Lawyers Call Foul Play On Prosecution’s Part
Some jurors admitted they’ve already seen the now-viral video showing Combs allegedly assaulting Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway — a key detail that sparked deeper questioning during jury selection. Much of the focus during the process was on how potential jurors’ views may have been shaped by media coverage, personal experiences with the justice system, or their knowledge of sexual assault cases.
One potential juror was dismissed after disclosing a past weed-related arrest and admitting it’d be tough to stay sober throughout the trial. Another was sent home for suggesting that Diddy’s money might be enough to buy his way out of trouble.
Right before the jury was finalized, things got tense. Combs’ legal team pushed back, accusing prosecutors of unfairly excluding Black jurors — pointing out that seven of the nine dismissed potential jurors were Black. Prosecutors responded, calling the selected jury “very diverse” and said their decisions were based on neutral grounds. They cited specific concerns, like one juror being less than honest about their past interactions with police and another flip-flopping on their belief about Diddy’s potential guilt.
Diddy’s Lawyer Tells Jury That He Isn’t On Trial For “Being Mean Or a Jerk.”
As the courtroom gears up for the main event, U.S. District Judge Subramanian laid down the law. His message to jurors was crystal clear: keep your opinions to yourself, and keep it all off social media.
“I am ordering you not to talk about this with anyone,” he told them. “Do not form any opinion until all the evidence is in.”
In her opening statement, Combs’ attorney Terry Geragos acknowledged he can be jealous, has a bad temper, and sometimes acts out when drinking or using drugs.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man,” she told jurors, “But this is not a complicated case. It’s about love, jealousy, infidelity, and money.”
Geragos stressed that “domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” and “being mean is not running a racketeering enterprise,” adding that jurors might think he’s “a jerk” — but he’s not on trial for that.
Combs Admits He Was ‘Nervous’ During Day 1 Of Federal Trial
Jury selection was originally slated to wrap up last Friday, but the judge hit pause, citing concerns that some potential jurors might second-guess their commitment over the weekend before opening statements kicked off.
Ironically, the only one showing signs of unease during last week was Combs himself.
“I’m sorry your honor, I’m a little nervous today,” the music mogul told Judge Subramanian on Tuesday.
Diddy also reportedly requested a bathroom break after “roughly 90 minutes” of the jury selection questioning process.
