(TNND) — Jury selection continued Tuesday in New York within the federal intercourse trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, with opening statements anticipated to start early subsequent week.
Combs is going through 5 legal counts, together with intercourse trafficking by pressure, fraud or coercion, transportation for functions of prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
Dozens of potential jurors have been questioned to find out if they are often truthful and neutral.
Attorneys are analyzing potential jurors’ data of the case, expertise with sexual assault or home violence, and views on legislation enforcement and hip-hop artists.
The alleged offenses span from about 2004 till about 2024, in accordance with The Associated Press.
The indictment accused Combs of coercing and abusing girls for years with assist from a community of associates and staff whereas silencing victims by blackmail and violence, together with kidnapping, arson and bodily beatings, the AP reported.
Prosecutors allege Combs used his “energy and status” as a music star to induce feminine victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male intercourse employees in occasions dubbed “freak offs,” in accordance with the AP.
Combs and his legal professionals say he is harmless and that any group intercourse was consensual.
4 accusers are anticipated to testify on the trial.
The Daily Mail reported that the names of some A-list celebrities have been included on a listing of individuals and locations handed to potential jurors as a result of they could come up all through the trial.
That included Michael B. Jordan, as a result of he was as soon as allegedly threatened by Combs over his relationship with Combs’ ex-girlfriend, the Every day Mail reported. And “Austin Powers” star Mike Myers was on the record.
The Every day Mail reported that it was unclear why Myers’ identify appeared on the record.
Variety reported that the names of different celebrities appeared on the record, together with Kanye West and Child Cudi.
Selection reported that potential jurors got a listing of not less than 190 folks, together with celebrities and public figures, to gauge their familiarity with these folks.
Selection reported that it’s unclear how the record as an entire will issue into the trial.
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The Nationwide Information Desk’s Geoff Harris contributed to this report.
