Day 1: Diddy Trial Begins
Day 1: Diddy Trial Begins with Juror Selection and Opening Statements
Day 1 of trial, Sean “Diddy” Combs entered the Manhattan courtroom wearing a light-colored sweater, waved to supporters and blew a kiss before seating himself. The judge had not yet arrived, and the gallery buzzed with anticipation as defense attorney Clyde Vanel and U.S. Attorney Damian Williams exchanged quiet words at the bench. Attorney Brian Steel—fresh off the Young Thug case—was on hand to observe the high-profile proceedings.
By 9:33 AM, neither judge nor jury had appeared. Courtroom staff indicated that lead prosecutor Mark Pomerantz and Combs’ lead defense counsel, Thomas A. Agnifilo, were conferring with Judge Victor Marrero—likely hashing out final juror-strike justifications or, as some speculated, exploring an eleventh-hour plea possibility. The tension was palpable; every whisper felt charged.
Around 9:40 AM, the action began. The prosecution exercised peremptory strikes on jurors numbered 51, 216, 118, 81, 161, 163, 220, 324 and 281—seven of whom were Black. Combs’ team struck jurors 52, 106, 157, 112, 127, 131, 149, 20, 22, 84, 25, 218, 240 and 307. Judge Marrero demanded explanations for each challenge to ensure no constitutional discrimination. Explanations ranged from “special knowledge” of bipolar disorder to prior exposure to case-related media and English‐language concerns. Once satisfied, the judge approved all strikes.
By 9:57 AM, the twelve-member jury and alternates were sworn in. Judge Marrero reminded them that only sworn testimony and admitted exhibits count as evidence, warned against independent research, and explained that pseudonymous witnesses remain credible. He noted lunch would be provided in the jury room and that names would stay confidential.
Opening statements commenced shortly thereafter. U.S. Attorney Williams painted Combs as a “cultural icon” with an alleged two-decade pattern of kidnapping, arson, drug trafficking and sexual violence. He previewed “hard to watch” video evidence showing Combs coercing two women—identified as “Cassie” and “Jane Doe”—into forced sexual encounters, with Combs’ team arranging travel, drugs and cash. Williams emphasized that Combs allegedly weaponized his Bad Boy Records network to facilitate these crimes.
When the defense’s turn arrived around 11:45 AM, Thomas A. Agnifilo shifted focus to Jane Doe’s 2020 allegations, describing them as consensual “threesomes” and arguing that willingness negates trafficking claims. He accused both witnesses of financial motives—Cassie’s pending $30 million civil suit and another individual’s $22 million demand—and said evidence would not support the charges.
The prosecution then called its first witness, LAPD Officer Israel Flores, who recounted responding to a March 5, 2016- disturbance at the InterContinental Hotel. Flores testified that he saw Combs and Cassie in a towel and socks, observed a Black SUV whisk away Cassie, and later discovered that hallway footage had been deleted.
Key takeaway: Day 1 set the stage with intense jury selection scrutiny and contrasting opening statements. Day 2, the trial will turn to videotaped evidence and more eyewitness testimony. Stay tuned for more live updates on Hot1009.com.
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