Many names for Sean “Diddy” comb
Music mogul Shawn Combs, who is on trial for sexual abuse and trafficking, has a series of name changes while maintaining the name he was given.
A 17-page form with 31 questions.
It’s a potential ju umpire who will wipe out the federal sexual crimes trials that Sean “Diddy” Combs received on the first day of his ju umpire selection. The war hip-hop figure, once one of the most powerful forces in the music industry, experienced a sharp fall from grace after facing lawsuits and criminal charges accusing him of rape and sexual assault.
The survey asked whether members of the ju-referee pool or family members or friends were victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or domestic violence, and whether they or their loved ones were charged with a crime or accused of a crime.
One question is particularly interesting for some. Can you communicate with others, post your opinions on social media and online, or “like” your social media posts about Combs? If so, when and did you post or state your opinion?
Prosecutors also said that potential ju judges have some questions relating to their feelings about law enforcement and their experiences with the government.
The Combs team hopes that potential ju umpires will give their opinions on the hip-hop and rap music industry. The proposed survey of the defense team also suggested that they would like to know if ju apprentices are open to alternative sexual lifestyles.
The second day of the selection process began after dozens of potential ju apprentices were brought to court the day before and questioned one by one by prosecutor and defense Judge Arun Subramanian to determine whether they were eligible to serve the ju apprentices at Combs.
At the last pretrial hearing on May 2, Combs confirmed it had rejected a potential plea bargain. The judge previously rejected requests from the rapper’s legal team, delaying the start of the trial.
Combs can spend the rest of his life in prison if he is found guilty.
Combs argues that a woman who attended an elaborate sex party was willing to go to a sex trafficking trial, but his lawyer faces a difficult fight to undermine the credibility of accusers who say the hip-hop mogul forced him to participate.
Prosecutors at the Manhattan US Lawyer’s Office have been using his business empire for 20 years to lure women into orbit with promises of romantic relationships and financial support, and use violence and threats to participate in days of drug-burning sexual performances known as “freak-offs” with male sex workers.
“There’s a pretty tough fight to defend,” said Heather Kukoro, a professor at law school in New York. “There’s a clear power dynamic, and that power dynamic is the main focus here and will be the main issue.”
The 55-year-old Combs lawyer says the prosecutor is trying to criminalize a consensual “swinger” lifestyle in which he and his longtime girlfriend sometimes bring third parties to their relationship.
The lawyer previously asked as many as 150 potential ju judges and said they planned to last 20-30 minutes each questionnaire. On May 5th, Subramanian deemed 19 people eligible to serve, including two who said they were fans of 1990s hip-hop, and the rest was rejected.
Federal prosecutors say they can find the 45 qualified ju apprentices they need in three days, and they may not have to talk to all 150 people.
Combs faces federal sex crimes and human trafficking charges in a vast lawsuit that erodes his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry.
He was arrested in September and charged with assault, sex trafficking and transporting to engage in prostitution. He pleads not guilty to all five counts.
His indictment has appeared alongside dozens of separate civil cases suggesting decades of abusive behavior and patterns of exploitation, including rape, sexual assault and accusations of physical violence.
Various social media accounts portray Diddy’s suspect’s crazy party as a multi-day sex orgy that includes a ton of drug use, gallons of alcohol, and plenty of baby oil and lubricant.
Reports say these events begin after his Diddy’s white party, which attracted celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton and Mariah Carey, according to a post by Michael Kaplan in the New York Post.
When the A-listers left, a more secret hedonistic party began in the back room, featuring Diddy and a group of friends selected for the more bauch event.
Diddy was arrested in September 2024 months after an ongoing lawsuit alleging abuse and a federal attack pair that targeted him as a sex trafficking target.
– Damon C. Williams and Marco de la Cacaba
Potential ju-degreements shuffled to the Manhattan courtroom on a grey Monday in New York City, preparing to winnow a class of people who will be entrusted with the fate of one of the biggest names in music.
In addition to questions about the history of sexual assault, the ju umpire was given a list of people and places related to the comb in a way. The names included Michael B. Jordan, Kid Cudy, Kathy Ventura, Michelle Williams, Mike Myers, Dallas Austin, Lauren London and Dawn Richard.
This list illustrates who is who in Hollywood and the music elite, and Combs’ widespread influence in the entertainment industry.
For example, Ohio-born rapper Kid Cudi, who was temporarily romantically involved with Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, could be on the list as he accused him of threatening to blow up Cudi’s car in a 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs. (She said Ventura and Kid Kudy were briefly dated “in a rough patch” in relation to Combs.) Kudy’s vehicle was later allegedly exploded in his driveway around the time Venture claimed that Combs had pose a threat.
While the ju umpire’s choice was underway, the ju umpire said he had heard news about the allegations against the hip hopster, watched a video that was allegedly attacking a woman and heard a comedian’s joke that the baby oil authorities said they had found it at his residence.
The ju umpire was given in some way a list of people and places associated with the defendant, including Hollywood and music industry celebrities such as Michael B. Jordan, Kid Cudy, Michelle Williams, and Mike Myers.
The group of ju umpires who were not hit ranged from 30 to 75 years old. Most had college education and had careers spanning scientists, behavioral hygiene peers, professional movers and grocery store deli class.
The most head-turning fire on May 5 came when a potential ju-san with his wife, who served as an attorney at the 1991 City College Stampede trial, admitted the possibility of a conflict of interest with his wife. The infamous incident occurred when nine people died during a fatal crash at a celebrity basketball game in New York, where Combs helped organize.
Although Combs was never criminally charged, he faced lawsuits over his role in promoting a fatal event.
A potential ju umpire said his wife had negative opinions about combs from the trial: “She felt his actions were in the way,” the man said. “In general, she doesn’t like him.” Despite claiming that he could still be fair, Judge Subramanian agreed to Combs’ team, and Combs’ team moved to make him excuse from trial.
Another ju-degree, the marketing officer for a large book publisher, was ruled out for a cause after saying the company is publishing memoirs from Al B! This fall containing accusations or references to combs. A future ju-degree said “there is a unlikely event that you will read the book,” but the judge said it was “too close to home.”
Combs appeared at the first trial on May 5th, arriving shortly after 9am EDT from Federal Lockup in Brooklyn. The rapper wore a salt and pepper goat beard, and over a white shirt he wore dark glasses and a dark sweater. He also saw his lawyer hugging and hugging him as he entered the courtroom.
Multiple reports say that as ju judges continued to be denied, Combs asked Judge Subramanian for a short bathroom break. He told the judge, “Sorry, your honor, I’m a little nervous today.”
At the last pretrial hearing on May 2, Combs confirmed it had rejected a potential plea bargain. It is unknown what the plea agreement is.
The six-man defense team at Combs, led by lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, added another member on May 2, the last business day before the selection of the ju umpire.
New York-based criminal defense attorney Xavier R. Donaldson filed a notice of appearance as a retained lawyer for combs in a document reviewed by USA Today on May 2.
The last lawyer to join the Combs team was Brian Steele, the lawyer who represented rapper Young Thug in his long RICO trial.
Usually, cameras are not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings, so the exam will not be broadcast.
USA Today reports the live from court.
Assuming that all parties can agree to 45 ju apprentices by the end of the May 7 session, the prosecutors and defense will spend the preparation for the start of the statement, which begins May 8th-9th, on May 12th.
Is Diddy in prison?
Despite repeated attempts at bail, Combs was ordered to be detained in the Special Housing Unit at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn prior to trial. He has been jailed since his arrest on September 16, 2024.
Contributions: Kimmi Robinson, Aisha Baguch, Brendan Moreau, Pamela Avila, Anna Kaufman, Patrick Ryan, USA; Reuters