Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is officially set to face a 12-person jury as his highly anticipated trial begins with opening statements today, May 12. The music mogul has pleaded not guilty to all five charges against him.
Jury selection, which stretched longer than expected, finally wrapped up this morning. From the initial pool, 12 jurors and 6 alternates were selected — a group made up of 12 men and 6 women. But don’t expect to learn much about them. In a rare move, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled the jury will remain anonymous, assuring the selected individuals: “We will keep your names and identities in confidence.”
The decision to keep the jury’s identities sealed came just hours before the trial was set to begin — a surprising twist, given that legal experts previously noted such measures are usually requested in advance.
Attorneys on both sides faced an uphill battle during jury selection, as nearly every potential juror had heard of the case — no surprise, considering its heavy media coverage and presence in pop culture.
To gauge impartiality, prospective jurors were asked to complete detailed questionnaires about their backgrounds and experiences. During voir dire, lawyers went even deeper, asking questions about personal topics, including past experiences with sexual assault, in an effort to ensure a fair trial.
udge Arun Subramanian previously noted that the jury will not be sequestered, meaning they will be allowed to go home at the end of the day after each hearing.
Diddy is facing five charges across three federal indictments, including sex trafficking, conspiracy racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. Additionally, he vehemently denies all allegations of wrongdoing against him, including those alleged in civil lawsuits.
