Jury selection for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial is set to begin on Monday. Combs, the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution after being indicted by a federal grand jury.
Combs has pleaded not guilty and rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors. If convicted, he could face life in prison. The indictment alleges that Combs used his business empire to conduct “freak off” sessions with women, which involved coerced sex performances fueled by drugs.
The prosecution team, led by eight U.S. attorneys, will argue that Combs’ actions were non-consensual and exploitative. Cassie Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, is expected to testify for the prosecution, while Dawn Hughes, a forensic psychologist, may also take the stand.
Combs’ defense team, led by Marc Agnifilo, has argued that the sexual behavior was consensual and part of a “swinger” lifestyle. However, prosecutors claim that Combs used guns, kidnapping, and arson to control his victims.
The trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks and will not be televised. The judge overseeing the trial is Arun Subramanian, who has presided over several high-profile cases in New York.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/diddy-sex-trafficking-trial-everything-you-need-to-know-as-jury-selection-begins-monday-204625629.html