Combs, 55, is accused of directing a criminal network that, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, forced victims to participate in sexual orgies under drug effects, through threats and violence.
The multimillionaire rap producer He has declared himself innocent of all charges. In addition, he alleges that sex were spoiled.
Arrested since 2024, the judge has repeatedly denied bail.
Read more: Case of Sean “Diddy” Combs: Three men accuse the rapper for having drugged and raped
The prosecution told the judge that he had offered combs a guilt agreementwhich was rejected by him.
If they are convicted, the world ex-star-who had a key role in the hip-hop massification— He could spend the rest of his life in jail.
It is expected that the initial allegations, in which accusation and defense present their own version of the facts, begin the May 12.
The charges that feel it on the bench include one by conspiracy for organized crimelegal figure originally conceived to combat the mafia, but that in recent years has also been invoked in cases of sexual abuse.
Also read: P. Diddy case: woman known as Latoya Grayson accuses the rapper of having abused her
This allows the Prosecutor to project a long -term vision of criminal activity, instead of pursuing isolated sexual crimes.
In 2021 it was used to process R. Kelly, the R&B singer who was Condemned more than 30 years in prison For criminal sexual behavior, which also included minors.
The industry also follows the trial of combs as a possible turning point in the world of music, which – beyond the case of Kelly – has generally eluded the Movement of complaints #Metoowhich shook Hollywood in recent years.
For decades, the artist known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, among other names, kneaded a huge fortune thanks to his work in music, but also to his businesses in the beverage industry.
Change of scenario
The beginning of the jury selection coincides with the annual celebration of the Met New York Galaan event for beneficial purposes in which combs used to be one of the most routilating (and extravagant) stars of the red carpet.
Only two years ago, he posed for the cameras on the stairs of the Metropolitan Art Museum. But this Monday, May 5, the stage will be the Federal Court of the Southern District of New York, where the selection process of the 12 jurors that will seal their luck.
Combs was subject for years of accusations of Physical aggressionwhich date back to the 1990s.
But who opened the criminal justice gates against the winner of a Grammy was his ex -partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. The singer filed a civil lawsuit in 2023, in which she alleged that CAM 10 years to coercion through physical force and drugsand that violated it in 2018.
A video of a camera in a hotel, In 2016, which shows combs by physically assaulting Ventura was partially admitted as evidence in the process by Judge Arun Subramanian.
The accusation maintains that the episode occurred after one of the orgies promoted by combs: sexual marathons made under coercion and the effect of drugs, which included sex workers and that, that, Sometimes they were filmed.
Although Ventura’s demand was resolved outside the courts, it is expected that she is a key witness at the trial.
He was followed by a series of allegations of sexual aggression equally rugged with women and men.
The federal criminal accusation against the rapper was presented after a raid in its luxury properties in Miami and Los Angeles.