What we know about the incident against Shaun “Diddy” Comb
The trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs is kicked off. How strong is the case against him? This is what we know now.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ criminal trial began with a ju-degree choice in Manhattan as the former cultural mogul faces a shocking federal sex crime charge when it is expected to grow over several months.
As many as 150 potential ju apprentices have been brought to court one by one and questioned by prosecutors and defense Judge Arun Subramanian to determine whether they are eligible to serve the ju apprentices at Combs.
While the ju umpire’s choice was underway, the ju umpire said he had heard news about the allegations against the hip hopster, and after watching a video in which he allegedly attacked a woman, he 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 goal is to pass all potential ju apprentices in three days, but Subramanians joked that the process can feel as long as it’s the long famous “Lord of the Rings” series.
The 55-year-old Combs, once one of the most powerful figures in the music industry, has experienced a sharp fall from grace after facing lawsuits and criminal charges accusing rape and sexual assault.
At a final court hearing on May 2, Combs confirmed it had rejected a potential plea bargain. Subramanian previously declined requests from the rapper’s legal team, delaying the start of the trial.
If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Didi in the trial newsletter: As Sean “Diddy” Combs faces sex crimes and human trafficking charges, USA Today steps into court with USA Today. Subscribe to our newsletter.
One ju umpire said that the comedian “liked” the video on social media when he joked about combs and baby oil.
“I remember I liked it because I thought it was funny,” said the ju decree who determined he was qualified after Subramanian put the video aside and said he could be fair.
According to Combs’ initial indictment, the baby oil bottle was used during the “Freak Off” party for hip hop moguls.
Multiple reports say that as ju umpire continued to be rejected, Combs asked Subramanian for a short bathroom break. He told the judge, “Sorry, I’m a little nervous today.”
After the afternoon was checked, some potential ju umpires had been exempt from Subramanians.
Due to the nature of the charges against combs, the main issue that arises in the potential ju-secret pool is whether the person called or loved one is a survivor of a sexual assault.
One expressed concern about being on the ju umpire and revealed that she had been assaulted as a teenager. Combs’ lawyers attempted to remove her from the pool but failed as defense characterized her after the judge called her answer “cautious” rather than Cage.
The potential ju umpire strip admits to seeing media reports about allegations against the comb, as well as video of him dragging and kicking his ex-girlfriend Kathy Ventura in the hotel hallway. Many say they won’t shake up their ability to be fair, but one individual has said they’ve previously said they could potentially have the “bad” image of the comb.
A wide range of questions for potential Diddy Ju umpires
As lawyers on both sides tried to find the right batch of ju-secret judges to promise to be one of the most closely monitored celebrity trials over the years, potential candidates presented a list of Diddy and locations, including Kid Cudi, Mike Myers and Destiny’s child name Michelle Williams.
One ju umpire who said hearing from victims of the attack would be “unpleasant” was quickly rejected, but another ju umpire also let go after saying she saw a screenshot of a comb allegedly defeating her ex-girlfriend Kathy, whom she thought was “the evidence was terrible.”
Combs’ lawyers have tried to eliminate potential ju apprentices for other reasons. The media company recently moved to fire a woman working for HBO. The potential ju umpire has not worked on the film, and the judge has rejected the attempt.
Another ju-degree, Chief Marketing Officer of Simon & Schuster, was ruled out for a cause after the company said it was publishing memoirs from Al B! This fall includes accusations or references regarding the comb. A future ju-described said “there is a unlikely event that you will read the book,” but the judge still said it was “too close to home.”
Combs arrived in court from Federal Lockup in Brooklyn, where he was restrained shortly after the 9am EDT, wearing dark glasses and a dark sweater over a white shirt. Wearing a salt and pepper goat beard, Combs smiled and hugged his lawyer as he entered the Subramanian court.
About an hour and a half later, Subramanian began asking future ju-describers one by one. This is a process known as Voir Dire. The judge’s goal in Voir Dire is to select 45 potential ju apprentices eligible to serve, and both lawyers have the opportunity to dismiss the ju apprentices without giving reasons.
The ry umpire is anonymous, which is often the case in famous trials where ju umpires may face threats or harassment if their identity is known.
Usually, cameras are not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings, so the exam will not be broadcast. USA Today reports the live from court.
Favourite music? Your friend’s sex life? Diddy Jury Selection may surprise you
If your important others have fooled you, can you get over it?
At first, the answer may not seem to be related to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ upcoming sex traffic trials. But that’s the surprising type of clue that lawyers may ask when choosing a ju judge starting Monday.
Lawyer and Ju Court consultant Robert Hirschhorn told USA Today that a potential ju court member who can distinguish between misconduct in a relationship could be the type of person who can distinguish between disturbing evidence at trial. The prosecutor is poised to show, for example, a video of ex-girlfriend Kathy Ventura dragging and kicking her in a hotel hallway.
“Everyone who says ‘compartmentalization’ doesn’t care what they say. I put them on the ju umpire every day unless I say, “Diddy doesn’t think he’s already guilty,” Hirschhorn said.
Ju Court consultants and trial experts said USA Today said the legal team might look for clues on how potential ju Court approaches trials in their music preferences, their openness to alternative sexual lifestyles and their history of sexual violence.
– Aisha Baguch
Combs arrives at the United States Courthouse of Daniel Patrick Moynihan in Manhattan, where he faces a fee for a bold sex crime.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian was expected to begin questioning future ju umpires one by one, in order to seat 12 ju umpires and six alternative panels.
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.
According to his LinkedIn, a graduate of Howard University Law School of Law, once an assistant district attorney in the Bronx County DA office in the 90s, moved to private practice. In particular, Combs attended Howard University as a business student, but dropped out before completing his bachelor’s degree.
The last lawyer to join the Combs team was Brian Steel, the lawyer representing rapper Young Thug in his own longtime Rico trial.
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.
The fighting music mogul 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.
What questions do ju-search members ask?
Prosecutors said some of the questions that potential ju apprentices were hoping to be asked were related to feelings about law enforcement and their experiences with the government.
Experiences of sexual assault and assault accusations can also be a major factor in the selection of ju-describers. Both sides suggest questions to potential ju apprentices about those experiences.
The Combs team hopes that potential ju umpires will give their opinions on the hip-hop and rap music industry. The proposed questionnaire for the defense team also suggested that ju apprentices would like to know if they were open to alternative sexual lifestyles.
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 16th.
There is no shortage of discussion about Combs’ trial. One phrase you can’t hear during legal proceedings? “Forced Control.”
Combs was arrested in Manhattan in September and charged with assault, sex trafficking and transporting to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty.
The federal prosecutors and Kushi’s legal team clashed over the testimony of expert witnesses who were allowed to hear the ju judge. Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that psychologist Dawn Hughes was not permitted to discuss “forced control,” a type of domestic abuse. However, she is permitted to discuss coping strategies for victims and why many victims remain in abusive or violent relationships.
In this case, the ruling is important as the attorney will try to challenge the statement when the prosecutor brings in allegedly Didi victims to testify about the abuse. The accuser’s communications with past Didi, previous statements about him and everything they have said before, are likely to be scrutinized about the allegations.
– Hannah Yasharov and David Oliver
Contributions: Kimmi Robinson, Anica Reed, Aisha Baguch, Brendan Moreau, USA Today; Reuters
