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The rap star’s trial is set to begin and a judge made a surprising remark as jury selection got underway.
Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy, was indicted by a grand jury following his arrest at the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan back in September last year.
The rapper and producer faces a slew of serious federal charges which, if convicted, could find him sentenced to life in prison.
He has been accused of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. Combs has denied all of the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty.
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The former star has also been accused of hosting wild and extravagant drug fueled parties, that became known famously as ‘freak offs’. It is during this event that the prosecution alleges women were pressured into having sex, and sometimes recorded without their permission, while Diddy and others are said to have watched on.
Many famous names in sports, entertainment and the music industry are known to have attended these parties however many have denied any knowledge of any alleged criminal acts taking place.
Diddy's long-awaited trial is set to begin and the former star sat in federal court in Manhattan on Monday (May 5) as jury selection got underway.
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More than 600 potential jurors were asked to fill out a questionnaire to confirm whether they could be selected and it involved asking whether they were familiar with a long list of celebrities.
The judge set to preside over the trial, Arun Subramanian made a quip about the long list of celebrities' jurors were asked about to determine whether they could be selected.
This list included names like Kanye West, Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan and Kid Cudi however it is not clear whether they will come up in the trial or be called as witnesses.
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Speaking of the lengthy list of celebrities, the judge remarked: “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 provided some insight into his mental well being as the trial goes ahead.
During the proceedings he asked the judge if he could be permitted to go the bathroom, a request that was initially denied.
Speaking again to the Judge, Combs said: “I'm sorry, your honor, I'm a little nervous today.”
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He was then allowed a two-minute break to relieve himself.
The trial is expected to last eight weeks.
Gerrard Kaonga