List of nearly 200 celebrities handed to potential jurors as Diddy’s trial begins
Juror selection is underway for the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs and one of the things potential jurors are being asked about is their knowledge of various celebrities.
The trial for the rapper begins today (5 May) with jury selection and it's a process that could take several days as he is such a high profile individual that those who will ultimately pass judgement on whether he is innocent or guilty must be vetted.
A jury is supposed to be impartial, but before stepping into the courtroom, many potential jurors will have heard details about Diddy which could have resulted in them already making their minds up before hearing arguments and evidence in court.
Combs faces five counts, one of racketeering, two charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
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He has denied the charges against him and has maintained that he is innocent.
Variety reports that about 150 potential jurors are currently going through the selection process.
Potential jurors have been filling out questionnaires that are supposed to measure their prior knowledge of Diddy, their opinions on law enforcement and whether they have been the victims of sexual assault.
Any juror wishing to discuss sensitive matters has the option to speak privately to the judge, court reporter and attorneys.
Another part of the vetting process for prospective jurors is them being handed a list of at least 190 celebrities and being asked to mark the ones they recognise.
According to Variety, the likes of Michael B. Jordan, Kanye West, Mike Myers and Kid Cudi are on this list, and it is unclear how the names of the celebrities on the long list relate to the trial.
Also on the list are Michelle Williams, Lauren London, Dawn Richard, Dallas Austin and various members of Diddy's family, among dozens of other names.
Some prospective jurors have said they've seen news reports about a key piece of evidence in the trial, a 2016 video allegedly showing Diddy kicking one of his accusers in a hotel in Los Angeles.
The rapper's lawyers had tried to get this video, which was released last year by CNN, thrown out as a piece of evidence but failed to do so as the judge said the video's 'relevance to the case outweighs any potential prejudice to Combs'.
One prospective juror said they'd seen part of the video and considered it to be 'damning evidence' against Diddy, and she was rejected for consideration as a result.
Jury selection is ongoing to whittle down the 150 prospective options into the group that will be asked to deliver the verdict on Sean 'Diddy' Combs, with opening statements from the prosecution and defence not being expected until next week.
If found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Joe Harker