Diddy Nervous But Casual On Day One In Court

A Casually-Dressed Combs Hugs His Lead Attorney

The first day of Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution began on May 5, 2025, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The day focused primarily on jury selection, setting the stage for a high-profile trial expected to last approximately two months. 

Sean Combs, also known by aliases such as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Love, faces five criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The allegations span from 2004 to 2024, accusing Combs of using his business empire, including Bad Boy Entertainment, to facilitate and conceal sex crimes. 

Prosecutors allege he coerced women into participating in recorded sexual performances called "Freak Offs," using drugs, financial incentives, and threats, including surreptitious recordings as "collateral" to ensure silence. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with his defense team asserting that the encounters were consensual.

The trial commenced with jury selection, a critical phase to empanel 12 jurors and six alternates. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian oversaw the process, which started with prospective jurors completing written questionnaires. 

The defense and prosecution had proposed summoning 300 jurors on May 5 and an additional 300 on May 6 to fill out these questionnaires, with for-cause challenges to be reviewed between May 6 and May 8, and agreed-upon challenges reported to the court by May 9.

Judge Subramanian provided a brief summary to prospective jurors, introducing Combs as the sole defendant, known by various aliases, and emphasizing his presumption of innocence. He outlined the five counts against Combs, including racketeering conspiracy, ensuring jurors understood the case’s gravity.

Combs, who has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest, appeared in court wearing tan prison garb. He was described as shackled at the ankles but not handcuffed, smiling and interacting warmly with his family and legal team. He hugged his lawyers upon entering and blew kisses to family members, including his mother Janice Combs, daughter Chance Combs, and son Christian "King" Combs, who were present in the gallery.