A jury of 12 New Yorkers—eight men and four women—was selected for the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, which is expected to last at least eight weeks. After extensive questioning from an initial pool of 45 jurors, the final group, aged between 30 and 74, is drawn from diverse neighborhoods in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester County, representing various professions, including an investment analyst and a physician assistant.
Combs, a prominent entrepreneur and rap mogul, was arrested in September, resulting in significant media attention surrounding the trial. The jurors expressed familiarity with a critical piece of evidence: a video of Combs allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in 2016. They will determine Combs’ guilt regarding five criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Among the main jurors, notable selections include a 69-year-old actor from Manhattan who enjoys classical and jazz music, a 31-year-old investment analyst who plays sports, and a 30-year-old deli clerk from the Bronx who listens to hip-hop. Additionally, six alternates ranging from 24 to 71 years old were selected.
During the jury selection process, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo raised concerns about the potential exclusion of Black jurors, a claim denied by the prosecutor, who provided justifications for dismissals based on juror biases or unfavorable views regarding the trial participants. Judge Arun Subramanian ruled against the defense’s motion regarding the juror selection process. The trial will address serious allegations against Combs and investigate the testimonies and evidence presented over the coming weeks.
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