Jury selection is set to begin today in New York for the highly publicized trial of music mogul, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is facing charges of sexual abuse.
Combs, who is 55 years old, has pleaded not guilty, insisting that the sexual encounters were consensual.
However, prosecutors claim he forced victims to join drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.
During a recent court hearing, his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, hinted at the defense strategy, stating that Combs has a free-spirited “swinger” lifestyle.
The prosecution also mentioned that a plea deal was offered to Combs, but the details are not public and he chose to reject it.
He is charged with racketeering conspiracy, a serious charge that allows prosecutors to show a long-term pattern of criminal behavior instead of just focusing on individual incidents.
This type of charge has been used in other high-profile cases, like that of disgraced R&B star R. Kelly.
If found guilty, Combs, who has significantly impacted the music industry and built a considerable fortune through his career and business ventures, could face life in prison.
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Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York in September 2024 and has been denied bail on several occasions.
He is currently being held at a notorious jail in Brooklyn known for its poor conditions.
This facility has housed other famous inmates, including R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, and cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried, who was convicted of fraud.
In court, Combs has appeared noticeably older, with his once jet-black hair now gray and unkempt.
The timing of the jury selection is notable because it falls on the first Monday in May, the same day as New York’s famous Met Gala, a glamorous charity event where Combs was a regular guest.
Just two years ago, he was celebrated at the gala, but this Monday, he will be in a federal courtroom facing questions from jurors about his case.
