New York — As the impending sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs approaches, his legal team is pushing for a unique jury selection process. They are requesting that prospective jurors fill out a comprehensive questionnaire about their views on sensitive topics such as sex, drugs, and violence. The request came as Combs’ lawyers submitted their proposed set of questions to a Manhattan federal court, where the trial is set to begin with jury selection on May 5.
Combs’ attorneys argue that the jurors’ attitudes towards sexually explicit videos and physical assault, as well as their views on people who have multiple sexual partners, are vital to ensuring a fair trial. They believe that these perspectives may impact jurors’ opinions on the case.
Prosecutors, however, have challenged the necessity and length of the 72-question survey proposed by the defense. They criticized many of the questions as irrelevant to jurors’ qualifications and argued that some queries are better suited for in-person interviews by the judge.
The debate on the jury questionnaire has arisen from concerns similar to those in previous high-profile trials, such as the 2021 sex trafficking case of Ghislaine Maxwell. In Maxwell’s trial, a juror’s failure to disclose personal history of sexual abuse was later attributed to the extensive and complex questionnaire, which he admitted to skimming too hastily.
Judge Arun Subramanian has scheduled the distribution of questionnaires for late April, aiming to start the vetting of prospective jurors by early May. The trial is expected to proceed with opening statements on May 12.
Combs, 55, stands accused of manipulating and coercing women into sexual acts using his influence in the music industry. The indictment alleges that over two decades, Combs leveraged his status to entice women with the promise of romantic relationships, only to subject them to coercion and abuse, forcing them into commercial sex acts. Specific allegations include physical assaults and threats aimed at controlling his victims.
Central to the prosecution’s case will be video evidence purported to show Combs assaulting Cassie, a former girlfriend and protégé, which prosecutors suggest is indicative of his abusive behavior.
His legal team has countered by suggesting that the prosecution is framing consensual sexual activities as criminal actions. They also expressed concerns about potential biases stemming from negative media portrayal of Combs. In their filings, defense attorneys highlighted the importance of understanding jurors’ exposure to potentially prejudicial information, including specific television shows critical of Combs.
As both sides prepare for the trial, the jury selection process will play a crucial role in shaping the proceedings. Moving forward, Combs’ defense team appears committed to scrutinizing the personal views and media consumption of jurors, which they argue is critical under the extraordinary public and media scrutiny surrounding the case.
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