Sean "Diddy" Combs appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom Monday as jury selection began in his federal trial on sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution-related charges. The 55-year-old music mogul has pleaded not guilty and remains detained at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center following four denied bail requests.
In courtroom sketches obtained by Us Weekly, Combs is seen wearing a white button-down shirt beneath a dark sweater and light-colored pants. His hair and beard appeared fully gray, a noticeable change attributed to the detention center's ban on hair dye. Cameras are not permitted in the courtroom.
Combs was arrested in September 2024 after federal prosecutors charged him with running a coercive sex trafficking operation involving threats, drugs, and alleged exploitation. In court filings, prosecutors alleged Combs operated "Freak Off" parties in which guests were coerced into sexual acts.
Jury selection began Monday with potential jurors questioned about their familiarity with the case and their availability over the next eight weeks, the estimated length of the trial. Combs entered the courtroom smiling and hugged his attorneys before taking his seat. Sketches from Monday show him sitting at the defense table and standing to observe jurors.
District Judge Arun Subramanian granted Combs permission to wear civilian clothes rather than a prison uniform during trial proceedings. During the hearing, Combs addressed the judge briefly: "I'm a little nervous today."
In an hour, Diddy’s pedo pals will start walking the red carpet and flaunting their allegiance to Satan at the annual Met Gala which is a short distance from the SDNY courthouse where Diddy’s trial started today.
Diddy has fallen and it’s only a matter of time before the rest… pic.twitter.com/dJ23eUMgq0 — LIZ CROKIN (@LizCrokin) May 5, 2025
Marc Agnifilo, Combs' attorney, stated following the arrest: "We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney's Office. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal."
"These are not new allegations or new accusers," Combs' legal team told CBS News New York last month. "These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion."
The trial stems from a federal investigation launched after a civil lawsuit filed in 2023 by singer and former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Although that suit was settled later that year, it triggered a wider probe by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southern District of New York.
In December 2024, Law & Crime reporter Elizabeth Millner observed Combs in court and noted he "appeared just astonishingly thinner." She said the detention had clearly impacted him: "A lot different from the luxury lifestyle that he was living before."
Combs' family has publicly supported him. In a statement released in October 2024, his children said: "Many have judged both him and us based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives. We hold onto the truth, knowing it will prevail, and nothing will break the strength of our family."
Combs is the father of seven children, including sons Quincy Brown and Christian Combs, and daughters D'Lila, Jessie, Chance, and Love.
The jury selection process, which involves more than 150 potential jurors, is expected to continue throughout the week. Opening statements could begin as early as next week, with proceedings likely to extend into the summer.
