Opening arguments began Monday in the high-stakes federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, with unsettling accusations painting a dark picture of the music icon’s alleged double life.
Now 55, Combs is fighting serious charges that claim he orchestrated a pattern of abuse, including using his power and wealth to force others into disturbing situations under threat and manipulation. The courtroom fell silent as prosecutor Emily Johnson described a world where the music mogul allegedly demanded complete control—using his businesses and influence to pressure women into degrading acts, often while he watched.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The jury—comprising eight men and four women, with six alternates—was finalized after some delays. Judge Arun Subramanian voiced concern that the weight of the case might make some potential jurors reconsider their involvement. The group will remain anonymous but will not be sequestered, placing personal responsibility on each juror to avoid media coverage and online discussions as the trial unfolds.
During jury selection, prosecutors removed several Black candidates, prompting Combs’s legal team to question whether race played a role. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo suggested a troubling pattern, but the judge ultimately ruled the dismissals were not discriminatory.
In court, Combs appeared markedly different from the larger-than-life figure known to millions. Dressed in understated tones, with gray now streaking through his once-black hair, he sat flanked by his mother and teenage daughters, occasionally sharing quiet exchanges with his attorneys.
Outside the courthouse, a buzz of reporters and onlookers waited behind layers of security, hoping to catch even a glimpse of the man who helped shape the sound of modern hip-hop—and who now faces some of the most serious allegations of his life.
If found guilty, Combs could face a sentence that stretches decades, possibly the rest of his life.
Central to the trial is his past relationship with singer Cassie Ventura, who is expected to testify. A 2016 surveillance video allegedly showing Combs assaulting Cassie in a hotel has already stirred public debate. While both legal teams have argued over the clarity and admissibility of the footage, Judge Subramanian has approved at least part of it to be shown in court.
Some jurors admitted to having seen the video already. One dismissed candidate called it “damning,” while another potential juror was excused after revealing his wife had previously taken legal depositions involving Combs and described his behavior as deeply troubling.
Despite the controversy and media attention, others in the jury pool maintained they could still be fair, focusing on the evidence rather than the headlines.
The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks.
