(NewsNation) — Jury selection in the federal criminal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs continued Tuesday as the judge and attorneys work to whittle down the pool to 12 jurors and six alternates.
The two sides will question another set of potential jurors in the selection process, which could last through the end of the week.
The process, known as voir dire, takes time, Arik Fudali, an attorney representing women accusing Combs in civil court, told NewsNation.
“It’s a very slow process, it’s a very deliberate process. In a lot of criminal and civil cases — which are the cases I do — this jury selection process is one of the most important aspects of the case,” Fudali, who was inside the courtroom, said.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys will have an opportunity to question potential jurors and can dismiss any of them for cause, including possible bias or lack of impartiality.
Their objections must be approved by Judge Arun Subramaniam, who is overseeing the trial.
Subramanian spoke to the pool of potential jurors Monday morning, thanking them for their service, and said the trial could take as long as eight weeks.
“Let’s be serious, you’re all inconvenienced by this service,” Subramanian said, adding, “It’s an honor and privilege of the jury to be involved in the democratic process.”
Subramanian reviewed their answers to a questionnaire asking their views on sexual violence, sex trafficking, guns and illicit drugs.
Some potential jurors were asked to identify certain celebrities, and others were asked about possible media influence in the trial.
Defense attorneys objected to a potential juror who worked as a photo producer for HBO due to the production company’s “The Fall of Diddy” documentary.
Subramanian allowed the juror to remain in the pool but allowed for more questioning later in the process.
One potential juror was dismissed after they referred to hotel surveillance tape of Combs attacking his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel as “damning.”
Combs faces federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The music producer has been held without bail since his September 2024 arrest, which came after two of his homes were raided by federal investigators seven months earlier.
Prosecutors have alleged Combs used the resources of his music empire to create “a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
Combs has denied the allegations. His legal team did not return a request for comment ahead of the trial.
Opening statements are slated for May 12.
