‘Yes, I do, your honor’: Diddy rejects plea deal as trial set to begin

Sean “Diddy” Combs has officially turned down a plea deal offered by federal prosecutors, paving the way for a major sex trafficking trial set to begin next week in Manhattan. The rapper, who is accused of sex trafficking, racketeering, and arranging transportation for prostitution, announced his decision during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

The judge confirmed the rejection, allowing jury selection to start on Monday. The plea deal, the specifics of which have not been made public, would have given Combs a much shorter sentence than what he could receive if found guilty at trial. Prosecutors have stated that a conviction on all charges could lead to a life sentence. Combs’ legal team, led by Marc Agnifilo, said the decision to reject the deal was made together after careful thought, as reported by Reuters.

According to NBC, Agnifilo has previously suggested that while some people might disapprove of Combs’ lifestyle, it does not amount to criminal behavior, describing his actions as those of a “swinger.” This defense strategy directly opposes the prosecution’s claims, which accuse Combs of using his power and fame to pressure women into drug-fueled sexual encounters he called “freak offs” over a twenty-year period.

Diddy is taking his trial to court, rejecting a plea deal

Jury selection for the trial is expected to be complicated, per BBC. Judge Subramanian is taking steps to protect the privacy of potential jurors and reduce the impact of heavy media coverage. The court plans to interview a large group of possible jurors, hoping to choose twelve jurors and six alternates within three days. Knowing that publicity around the case could create bias, the judge has added steps to ensure fairness.

This includes asking potential jurors about any news reports they have seen about the case, even if those reports came out after they filled out initial questionnaires. Those who want to discuss personal experiences in private will be allowed to speak in the judge’s office, with those conversations remaining confidential. The extra caution comes from the high level of media attention and the serious nature of the accusations.

The case goes beyond the criminal charges. Dozens of civil lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual misconduct have been filed against him, all of which he strongly denies. One of the most notable civil cases was brought by Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former longtime girlfriend. Ventura’s lawsuit, which was settled quickly after being filed, claimed that Combs subjected her to years of physical and emotional abuse and forced her to take part in the “freak offs.”

Surveillance video showing Combs allegedly attacking Ventura has been allowed as evidence, despite his lawyers trying to keep it out. Dawn Richard, a former member of groups created by Combs, has also filed a civil lawsuit, saying she was groped and threatened and that she witnessed assaults. She and another accuser, John Doe, who is represented by Lisa Bloom, are expected to testify. The heavy media focus on these civil cases makes it even harder to pick an unbiased jury for the criminal trial.