Featured Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Topics: Diddy, Sex Trafficking, Court, Crime, New York
Ellie Kemp
Topics: Diddy, Sex Trafficking, Court, Crime, New York
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs is set to get underway in Manhattan today (May 5), as the star faces a set of shocking accusations spanning more than 30 years.
Once known for launching the careers of Usher, Mary J. Blige, and the Notorious B.I.G., Combs now faces serious federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution.
The hip-hop mogul was accused of orchestrating drug-fueled sex parties - dubbed 'Freak Offs' - where women were allegedly coerced into sexual acts, sometimes recorded without consent, and later blackmailed or threatened into silence.
Prosecutors allege Combs used violence and intimidation to control his victims, citing disturbing claims such as choking, dragging, and even dangling someone from a balcony.
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Combs has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty, while insisting all sexual acts were consensual.
During a pretrial hearing, he confirmed rejecting a plea deal.
The case took an unusual turn when federal agents raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March, reportedly discovering a huge stash of baby oil, estimated to be around 1,000 bottles.
His defense dismissed the items as a bulk purchase.
Some of the biggest court cases in the world have been broadcast on TV - from OJ Simpson and Ted Bundy to the Menendez brothers and Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
However, there's a specific reason as to why Combs' won't be televised, despite its exceptional public interest.
That's because Combs is facing federal criminal charges - and the presence of 'electronic media' is banned under a 1946 law called Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53.
The rule prohibits broadcasting, and even photographs, from the courtroom of a federal criminal trial.
R. Kelly's 2021 trial , which saw the singer face similar charges to Combs, was also not televised.
Federal civil proceedings have more flexible rules, which you may have seen in the past, as they are at the discretion of the judge.
Combs' jury selection begins today (Monday May 5), with testimony expected to follow next week.
The trial itself is set to last for between eight and 12 weeks.
Combs, 55, could face life behind bars if he's found guilty of the three felony charges (sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation for prostitution).
Racketeer conspiracy - illegal activity for profit that is disguised as business dealings - carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion also has a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as a mandatory minimum of 15 years.
Meanwhile, transportation for purposes of prostitution has a maximum sentence of 10 years.
So, Combs could potentially face numerous life sentences.