Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs are pushing for a judge to allow potential jurors for his upcoming criminal trial to be asked about their positions on sex, drugs and violence.
The sensitive topics were raised as the embattled music mogul’s defense team submitted a proposed questionnaire for people summoned for his May 5 trial in Manhattan.
In an email sent to the judge late Friday, Diddy’s lawyers said they wanted to know how prospective jurors feel about people engaged in sex with multiple partners, as well as their willingness to watch graphic videos that may include sexually explicit content or images of assault.
Prosecutors slammed the defense’s proposed questionnaire, arguing that some of the 72 questions were “utterly irrelevant” to a juror’s ability to serve.
They also cited the sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell as an example of how overly lengthy questionnaires can be damaging.
After Maxwell’s conviction in December 2021, a juror admitted he hadn’t disclosed being a sex abuse victim — partly because he became “distracted” while filling out the questionnaire and also misunderstood some of the questions after skimming it “way too fast.”
Diddy, who’s currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, was charged in September with racketeering conspiracy, transportation to engage in prostitution and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. He has pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence.
R&B singer Cassie Ventura, who has accused Combs of rape, physical abuse and forcing her to engage in various acts with male sex workers, is preparing to testify against her ex-boyfriend, according to a motion filed last week.
Prosecutors have said that hotel surveillance video of Ventura being beaten by Combs in 2016 will be a key piece of the evidence at the trial.
Questioning of potential jurors will begin on May 5, with opening statements likely to start the following Monday.
With News Wire Services
Read the full article here
