Potential jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial are being grilled on whether they recognize any celebrities on a list of 190 names presented during jury selection.
They’ve also been asked if they’ve seen the horrific video of Combs, 55, beating ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura as the meticulous process of seating a jury gets underway in Manhattan.
Why jurors were asked about the list of celebrities remains unclear at this stage of the court proceedings.
Combs has been sitting in jail since September, awaiting trial on five criminal counts.
He’s accused of racketeering, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Jury selection finally got underway on Monday as Judge Arun Subramanian, the prosecution, and Combs’ defense began questioning around 150 people to determine if they should serve on the jury.
Potential jurors were questioned about the list of 190 celebrities and public figures, which included actors Michael B. Jordan and Mike Myers and rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi, Variety reported.
Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, actor Lauren London, and singer Dawn Richard were also on the list.
It isn’t known why certain celebrities are named; however, Kid Cudi is believed to be a victim of an alleged 2011 car bombing by Combs.
The alleged attack happened after Cudi was rumored to be romantically involved with Combs’ then-ex-girlfriend and star witness in the case, Cassie.
One juror, identified as number two, reportedly said he was familiar with Jordan and Myers from their films.
The judge asked whether “views on Kanye West” would make them an unfair juror.
In addition to their familiarity with various celebrities, jurors were asked about their views on law enforcement as well as more intimate questions about their sex lives and any previous history with domestic violence.
Due to allegations in the case, potential jurors were also asked whether they were or knew anyone who had been sexually assaulted.
About 90 minutes into the intense juror questioning, Combs asked the judge for a two-minute bathroom break.
“I’m sorry your honor, I’m a little nervous today,” Combs said.
The hip-hop mogul sported a different as he was permitted to wear street clothes rather than his baggy jail uniform.
He arrived in court at 9 am in dark glasses and a dark sweater.
A half-hour later, jury selection began.
Subramanian had already excused several juror candidates before lunch was called.
The judge dismissed one person who called the video of Combs dragging and kicking Cassie in a hotel hallway “damning.”
Combs’ lawyers also fought to remove a woman who worked for HBO as the media company recently released a documentary called The Fall of Diddy.
Subramanian overruled the attempt as the woman did not have any involvement in the making of the film.
High-Profile Trial
The trial is expected to last eight weeks, with opening arguments slated for May 12.
All jury members will remain anonymous, as is standard in high-profile cases.
Combs faces life in prison if he is convicted of the charges against him.
It emerged at a final pre-trial hearing that he turned down a plea deal that could have meant less jail time.
Combs has insisted he’s innocent ever since his arrest last year.
He was taken into custody in New York in September after an explosive indictment by a federal grand jury.
The indictment included a raft of disturbing accusations, including that Combs orchestrated days-long, drug-fueled sex parties that he forced victims to take part in.
He would fly in sex workers for days of raucous sessions, which he called “Freak Offs,” prosecutors claim.
Once at the party, workers would be coerced through money and intimidated into performing sick nonconsensual acts, the indictment said.
Combs organized and directed these parties in part, prosecutors allege, so he could record sex acts while he masturbated.
After days of non-stop drug use and drinking, participants were often mailed IV bags to help recover from the “Freak Offs,” according to the indictment.
The court docs also revealed the feds seized 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil from Combs’ homes along with a stash of narcotics allegedly used during the sex parties.
They raided his mansions in Los Angeles and Miami as part of the probe into the alleged sex trafficking.
