Sean Combs’ criminal trial kicked off in New York City on Monday, May 5, with jury selection continuing into Tuesday, May 6.
Combs was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs denied all of the allegations against him. He rejected the prosecution’s offer of 5 years in federal prison in exchange for a guilty plea.
More than 50 celebrities are expected to testify or their names will be mentioned during the trial.
On Monday, potential jurors were asked if they were familiar with a list of celebrities, including Kanye West and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard.
The list of names mentioned in court on Monday and Tuesday include Combs’ close associate and confidante Laurieann Gibson (pictured), Combs’ ex-Cassie Ventura, rap producer Kanye West, Dawn Richard, actor Michael B. Jordan, music exec Herve Pierre, music producer Dallas Austin, Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, rapper Kid Cudi, actress Lauren London, rapper Yung Miami, comedian Mike Myers, and multiple C- and D-list rappers and actors.
On Tuesday, Judge Arun Subramanian asked whether potential jurors “personally know” any of the celebrities mentioned. The judge had previously asked whether they were “familiar” with the celebrities.
Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo previously said his client suffers from a “mental condition” and he was not in a “clear frame of mind” to commit the crimes he’s being accused of.
Combs’ defense team plans to have a doctor and Columbia professor testify on his behalf that he had a mental condition according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
The doctor will testify that Combs was not in a clear frame of mind to participate in orgies or alleged abusive activities.
Combs has been housed at a Brooklyn federal detention center since his arrest. If convicted, he could spend the next 20 years behind bars.
