The high-profile sex-trafficking case involving Diddy is just beginning, and the former music icon has expressed his current state of mind.
He was taken into custody on September 16 of last year at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan, New York, following his indictment by a grand jury.
Since then, the music producer and rapper has faced serious federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution.
The prosecution accuses Combs of utilizing violence and threats to dominate his victims, with unsettling allegations that include choking, dragging, and even hanging someone over a balcony.
Combs has denied all charges, claiming innocence and stating that all interactions were consensual. A conviction could result in a life sentence for Diddy.
The trial, which has been highly anticipated, is now proceeding, with Combs appearing in a federal court in Manhattan on Monday (May 5) as the jury selection process began.
During this session, Combs requested permission from Judge Arun Subramanian to take a restroom break, which was initially denied.
It was at this point that Combs shared his feelings regarding his present circumstances.
Addressing the Judge again, Combs stated: “I’m sorry, your honor, I’m a little nervous today.”
Following this, he was granted a brief two-minute recess.
Reports indicate that over 600 potential jurors were required to complete questionnaires to determine their eligibility for jury duty.
The questions included inquiries about their familiarity with a list of numerous names, many of which were high-profile celebrities. Some noted names were Kanye West, Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan, and Kid Cudi, though it remains unclear if they will be referenced during the trial or called as witnesses.
According to the Mirror, prosecutors also inquired about the television programs potential jurors regularly watch, specifically asking if they tune into shows like Law and Order, CSI, or other crime dramas.
This line of questioning is due to an intriguing link between the rapper and plots featured in these TV series.
For example, in the Law and Order episode ‘Dawg Night’ from season 3, a fictional rapper is involved in an incident at a nightclub where a crime occurs, alongside an appearance by a Latina pop star.
Fans have speculated that the storyline might have drawn inspiration from a comparable 1999 incident, which allegedly involved Diddy and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, although Diddy was acquitted, and charges against Lopez were dropped.
Diddy also made appearances on two episodes of CSI: Miami in 2009, where he portrayed a lawyer.