Jury selection began Monday in the high-profile federal sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Combs, who appeared with gray hair because he is not allowed dye while being held in jail, at one point told the judge he was "a little nervous" as he requested a bathroom break.
As of Monday evening, half of the potential juror pool had been excused, some because they would not be able to serve for the duration of a potentially long trial, and some due to past experiences that would make objectivity difficult.
More jurors are expected to be vetted on Tuesday.
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, faces multiple federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The five-count indictment overlaps with several of the dozens of accusations and lawsuits alleging that Combs raped, abused, drugged and violently assaulted both men and women — including children as young as 10 — over the course of decades.
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The original 14-page indictment paints a dramatic picture of Combs “striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at and kicking” women. Prosecutors allege he also drugged women, kept explicit videos of them and threatened them.
The government claims Combs monitored victims’ medical records and controlled what they wore and where they lived. Prosecutors allege his abuse was at times verbal, emotional, physical and sexual — including manipulating women into participating in highly orchestrated sex acts with male sex workers.
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Judge Arun Subramanian said last week that attorneys would conduct some portions of jury questioning privately due to the highly personal nature of the case. Potential jurors will be asked privately whether they have a specific connection to sexual abuse, in addition to the standard public questioning.
At an April pretrial hearing, Combs’ lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, suggested he may argue that Combs was engaged in “swinger” relationships with the women. Agnifilo described the behavior as “common” and said it was consensual.
If convicted, the music mogul faces up to life in prison.
The trial will not be broadcast due to federal rules that bar cameras and other electronics in courtrooms.
