Jury selection began Monday in the Diddy Trial, where music executive Sean Combs faces federal charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking. If convicted, Mr. Combs could receive a sentence up to life in prison.
The start of the trial follows Mr. Combs' apprehension and his confinement in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York.
His defense lawyers sought his release on bail, citing conditions inside the detention center described by them as "horrific."
However, a federal judge in New York denied the bail request, citing concerns that Mr. Combs poses a "serious flight risk."
Prosecutors have also alleged that Mr. Combs violated facility rules by contacting potential witnesses in his case. Combs has been breaking prison rules, according to reporting on the matter.
The Brooklyn facility holding Mr. Combs is known for housing high-profile inmates in the past. The notorious jail holding Sean 'Diddy' Combs has previously held individuals like R Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell. Sam Bankman-Fried, the former cryptocurrency entrepreneur, was reportedly held in the same unit as Mr. Combs recently.
The indictment against Mr. Combs stems from September actions by authorities. It alleges he used his production label and other entities to facilitate illegal activities.
According to reports from court proceedings, four alleged victims are expected to provide testimony during the trial in the coming weeks.
This week's focus is solely on jury selection. Prospective jurors were given written questionnaires for review by the attorneys involved in the case. The judge will also question the potential jurors orally. A jury panel could be finalized by the end of the week, with evidence presentation potentially starting the following week.
