The Judge, Jury and Lawyers in Diddy Case Explained

Sean “Diddy” Combs is soon set to have his day in court, with the rapper’s trial slated for Monday, May 5 – coincidentally the same day as the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Met Gala fundraiser.

The music mogul, 55, has been incarcerated since September 2024, when he was arrested in New York after a grand jury indicted him on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution, to which he pleaded not guilty.

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo said in a statement at the time. “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

Before the United States vs. Combs trial begins, Us Weekly explains the main players in the legal process, including the judge, the lawyers and the jury — and what role all these components will play in the upcoming trial:

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The Judge

Arun Subramanian is the presiding judge on the United States vs. Combs trial. A judge’s main role in a trial involving a jury is to make sure everything proceeds in a fair and legal way. The judge is also responsible for managing the evidence and informing and instructing the jury about relevant legal frameworks so they are empowered to reach a verdict in the case.

According to NBC News, Subramanian has been on the federal bench for approximately two years and the Diddy trial is believed to be his highest profile trial yet.

The Jury

Jury selection is expected to begin on May 5, with opening statements expected on Monday, May 12. From the 100s of New York residents called for jury duty, a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates will ultimately be chosen to take part in the trial.

Ahead of selection, potential jury members will be questioned on their views on everything from sex, drug use, fame and music taste.

According to TMZ, there are 30 questions in the jury questionnaire, with one reading:  “There may be evidence in this case about people engaging in sexual relations with multiple sexual partners. Would hearing about that type of evidence be difficult for you?”

Another question reads: “Do you believe that wealthy people get away with things that the less wealthy do not?”

The outlet reported that there is a question asking whether potential jurors have opinions about the “hip hop rap music industry or artists in that genre?” The questionnaire allegedly asks potential jurors whether they have “personal experiences or opinions about drug or alcohol use or addiction.”

Diddy’s Lawyers

Heading up the lead prosecution team is Marc Antony Agnifilo. The veteran criminal defense lawyer is well versed in controversial cases, having represented NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere and “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli among others in the past. Agnifilo is joined by Teny Geragos (who has experience in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct), and Alexandra Shapiro.

The team also includes Brian Steel, known for representing rapper Young Thug in Georgia’s longest running trial. He was the subject of a profile in the New Yorker in April.

“Brian doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, and can’t believe anybody would,” David Botts told the outlet. “He won’t curse, even in court — even if he’s reading from a transcript. So when he’s cross-examining he’ll say, ‘So-and-so F-word.’ The court will say, ‘Mr. Steel, you can read that word.’ But Brian still won’t do it.”

Botts also told the outlet that Steel “only drinks water” and “brings a toothbrush to court.”

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Prosecution’s Lawyers

The team of attorneys arguing for the prosecution side include Maurene Ryan Comey, Emily Anne Johnson, Madison Reddick Smyser, Mary Christine Slavik, Meredith Foster and Mitzi Steiner. Comey is known for her work in helping to secure a conviction against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell for conspiring with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.