stemming from former girlfriends with whom he had consensual relationships, asserting
their intimate encounters involved consent, not coercion. The defense attorneys will
have to present evidence to support this argument during the trial.
Combs allegedly rejected a plea bargain offer from a prosecutor, signaling he will fight
the charges in court.
Jury Selection Process
In the United States judicial system, the selection of jurors is integral to carrying out a
fair trial. Potential jurors are selected at random fashion from the pool of citizens,
usually using voter registration lists.They go through a procedure called “voir dire,”
where the prosecution and defense attorneys, along with the judge, examine them
regarding their suitability and impartiality.
In the Diddy trial, prospective jurors have been asked about how much they know of the
case, whether they have any experience with sexual assault or domestic violence, and
how they feel about hip-hop stars and people who have multiple sexual partners.
The goal is to have twelve jurors and six alternates who can objectively and fairly decide
the case on the evidence presented.
Potential Jail Time if Found Guilty
If convicted on the racketeering charge, Sean Combs could be ordered to spend the
rest of his life behind bars. He faces yet another statutory minimum sentence of 15
years if he is found guilty of sex trafficking. Transportation for purposes of prostitution is
punishable by up to 10 years per count. Since his arrest on September 16, Mr Combs
has been held at New York City’s Metropolitan Detention Center. It is important to note
that these are still possible sentences, and a conviction on any or all charges is not
guaranteed.
The Making of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Sean Combs’ rags to riches story began as an intern at Uptown Records in the early
90s. He moved up the industry ladder rapidly, from talent director to starting his own
record label, Bad Boy Entertainment, in 1993. Bad Boy records rapidly achieved huge
success, propelling the career of The Notorious B.I.G. and a number of other major
acts.
Sean “Diddy” Combs himself, formerly known as Puff Daddy, and now officially Diddy,
was a six-time chart-topping recording artist in his own right, with hits like the
Sting-sampling “I’ll Be Missing You”. In addition to making records, he amassed a
business empire, including his Sean John clothing brand, television production “Making
the Band” , and a money-printing business in the liquor industry.
Mr. Combs became a pop culture leader and a very successful businessman. His ability
in fusing hip-hop fashion and lifestyle brands enabled him to crossover to the
mainstream market.
The trial may be a decided case of historical importance, potentially shedding much
more light on the conduct of a bad boy of entertainment. The verdict will certainly have a
greater impact across all industries, especially in corporate America. It could arguably
spark a debate over issues of accountability and treatment of people within theentertainment industry. It is necessary to allow the judicial process to take its course,
and for the verdict to be reached based on evidence presented before the court.
