The federal court in Manhattan dismissed a potential juror in the P Diddy case after she told the judge that she believed the mogul could “possibly buy his way out of jail.” During jury selection for the federal sex trafficking trial, Juror 48 raised concerns that Sean Combs, aka P Diddy, could use his wealth to “buy his way out of jail.”
The woman also shared a personal experience of an attempted rape and criticized law enforcement’s handling of such cases. Combs faces serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Also Read: Kanye West’s Name Surfaces in Diddy Trial as Jurors Examine Witness List
The high-profile P Diddy case involves connections across the entertainment industry and is expected to last for months.
Jury Selection
Over the past two days, nearly 50 potential jurors have been interviewed, with just over half still in the running and the rest dismissed for various reasons. The jurors come from all backgrounds including, a middle school PE teacher, a Taskrabbit mover, and a massage therapist who also works as an actor.
Court officials asked jurors to complete a questionnaire the week before they appeared in court, including questions about their media habits and any preexisting opinions about Sean “Diddy” Combs or the case based on news coverage.
During in-person interviews, the judge can ask follow-up questions, and attorneys from both sides may propose additional ones. If a juror’s responses suggest potential bias, either side can request their removal for cause.
In this instance, the court dismissed the potential juror after she stated that P Diddy could buy his way out of jail. The court excused another juror after she said she believed the rapper may have committed the alleged crimes based on what she had read.
Jailed & Denied Bail
Arrested in September 2024, P Diddy has remained in jail after being denied bail three times. The indictment alleges Combs orchestrated coercive sexual events referred to as “freak offs.”
The court plans to examine any potential bias or conflicts of interest tied to the well-known individuals listed in the case. Among them are Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers, Michelle Williams, Lauren London, and hip-hop artist Kid Cudi. Although their specific ties to the case remain unclear, their mention points to a broad and intricate investigation.
Kanye West and Casandra “Cassie” Ventura are also on the list, although the court does not plan to call Michael B. Jordan because of his past relationship with Ventura, who is also P Diddy’s ex.
If the jury convicts Combs, he could face life imprisonment.
