Jury selection for musician Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial will begin in New York today
Prosecutors and the defence aim to screen up to 150 people before opening statements are given on 12 May
Diddy faces charges of sex trafficking and prostitution that allege he coerced women into prolonged sexual orgies he called “freak-offs”
He has denied all the charges against him and has rejected a plea deal
If he is found guilty, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison.
In the federal criminal case, Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, two charges of sex trafficking and two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Many of the most severe allegations relate to the racketeering conspiracy charge.
It includes accusations of kidnapping, drugging, and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes using firearms or threats of violence.
In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies that they said were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs”, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil.
He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Combs also faces dozens of individual lawsuits from people who claim he drugged, raped or assaulted them and intimidated them into silence.
Combs has also denied these allegations, saying those who filed them are “individuals looking for a quick payday”.
