Opening statements are expected to begin Monday in the racketeering and sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York City.
Combs faces charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, racketeering, and sex trafficking. He has been imprisoned since his arrest in September and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The 55-year-old Combs faces a prison sentence of at least 15 years if convicted on all charges.
The final phase of jury selection is expected to finish in the morning and be followed by opening statements from the lawyers, with testimony possibly starting in the afternoon, The Associated Press reported.
Combs’ lawyers argue that prosecutors are trying to claim that Combs’ partying lifestyle is a crime. Prosecutors argue that Combs kept women in line through violence after coercing them into drugged-up group sexual encounters. He allegedly choked, hit, kicked, and dragged women by the hair, according to prosecutors.
