The trial of the well-known rap artist is about to commence, and an unexpected comment was made by the judge as jury selection began.
Sean Combs, more widely recognized as Diddy, was charged by a grand jury following his apprehension at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan in September of the previous year.
The rapper and music producer is confronting a series of grave federal charges, which could result in a life sentence if he is found guilty.
He is facing accusations of sex trafficking, racketeering, and facilitating prostitution. Combs has refuted all accusations and entered a plea of not guilty.
The former music icon is also accused of organizing raucous, drug-laden parties, colloquially termed as ‘freak offs.’ The prosecution claims that during these parties, women were coerced into sexual acts, sometimes being filmed without consent, while Diddy and others allegedly observed.
Numerous prominent figures from sports, entertainment, and the music sector are known to have attended these gatherings, but many have denied any awareness of the alleged illicit activities.
Diddy’s much-anticipated trial is set to get underway, with the former star appearing in federal court in Manhattan on Monday (May 5) as jury selection commenced.
Over 600 potential jurors were requested to complete a questionnaire to verify if they could serve, which included querying their familiarity with a lengthy list of celebrities.
The judge overseeing the trial, Arun Subramanian, made a humorous comment about the extensive list of celebrities mentioned to assess juror eligibility.
This list included figures like Kanye West, Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan, and Kid Cudi, though it’s unclear if they will be referenced during the trial or called as witnesses.
Commenting on the extensive celebrity list, the judge jested: “I read through the people and places list, which is several pages long. I felt I was reading an appendix from, like, The Lord of the Rings.”
Diddy also shared a glimpse into his state of mind as the trial progresses.
During the hearing, he requested permission from the judge to use the restroom, a request initially denied.
Reiterating his request, Combs stated: “I’m sorry, your honor, I’m a little nervous today.”
He was subsequently granted a brief two-minute recess.
The trial is projected to span eight weeks.