Sean “Diddy” Combs federal sex trafficking trial begins with opening statements – Live Updates
12. May 2025
Opening statements begin
Federal prosecutors have started laying out their case against Combs for the jury.
“To the public he was Puff Daddy or Diddy, a cultural icon, a businessman, larger than life. But there was another side to him,” a prosecutor said.
The prosecution said Combs had an inner circle of body guards and employees who helped cover up crimes for 20 years.
They said Combs abused his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, for years and that “he beat her brutally,” “flinging her around like a rag doll,” after finding out she was dating another man.
The jury is selected
The 12 jury members and six alternates have been selected and the jury is seated.
The group includes 12 men and six women.
“All rise”
The judge enters the courtroom and the final proceedings start before the jury is seated and sworn in.
Combs enters courtroom
Combs entered the courtroom at around 8:51 a.m. wearing a sweater (beige or light gray) over a collared shirt and what appears to be khaki pants.
His mother and six children were seated in the second row behind the defense. He gave them a thumbs up, made a heart shape with his hands and blew a kiss. The kids smiled and pumped their fists.
Combs put on glasses and asked for more water.
Combs rejected plea deal days before trial
Combs rejected a plea deal that was offered in the final pre-trial hearing, after he pleaded not guilty to all counts, including transportation to engage in prostitution and sex trafficking.
During the pre-trial hearing on May 1, Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs to confirm he was of sound mind and not on any drugs. He then asked Combs if he rejected the prosecution’s offer.
“Yes, I do,” Combs said.
Details of what was offered in the potential plea deal were not given.
Trial schedule
Opening statements in the Sean “Diddy” Combs federal sex trafficking and racketeering are expected to start today at the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan.
First, the jury must be sworn in.
Trial proceedings are expected to go from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for the first week, then 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily the following weeks.
The trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks.