As jury selection in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s trial began May 5, various celebrities were included on a list of more than 100 people including Michael B. Jordan, Kanye West and Mike Myers.
Sean “Diddy” Combs isn’t the only star mentioned in his trial.
As jury selection in the disgraced mogul’s sex trafficking trial got underway May 5 in New York, prospective jurors were shown a list of more than 100 names of people and places that may be referenced during the trial including Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers and Kanye West, according to NBC News.
While the aforementioned celebrities are not implicated in the case, the potential jurors were asked whether they knew any of the names listed and whether it would impact their ability to be impartial, per the outlet. Attorneys did not share an explanation for the list.
The names of women who have taken legal action against Combs, 55, were also on the list, including his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whose November 2023 sexual abuse lawsuit against the rapper was settled one day after it was filed. Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard, who accused Combs of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed in September, was also listed. (Combs has denied any wrongdoing in both cases, though after a 2016 video of Combs assaulting Cassie—matching the description of an incident in her lawsuit—came to light in spring 2024, the rapper subsequently shared a video apologizing.)
As part of the proceedings, individuals summoned for jury duty will answer questions to determine what they each know about Combs and his trial. A total of 12 jurors and six alternates will be selected to determine the hip-hop star’s fate before the trial officially kicks off May 12.
Prior to the start of jury selection, Combs’s legal team filed a request to delay the start of the trial by two months, arguing that they had not been given ample time to review certain pieces of evidence in the case. However, Judge Arun Subramanian denied the request saying it was “unclear why there isn’t sufficient time to prepare,” per Reuters.
Combs is facing five charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
For more details on Combs’s legal woes, keep reading.
(E! News and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
The sources told the outlet the warrant was out of the Southern District of New York, and a spokesperson for HSI New York confirmed to E! News it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”
Law enforcement sources told NBC News the music mogul was in the Miami area when the search warrants were executed.
“Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday,” he wrote in a December statement posted on Instagram. “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” attorney Aaron Dyer said in a March 26 statement to E! News. “There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”
Dyer noted Combs “was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.”
“Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way,” his lawyer’s statement continued. “This unprecedented ambush—paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence—leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
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