The ultimate fight for Diddy‘s freedom begins next week when his federal sex trafficking trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection in New York Supreme Court on May 5. While the music exec is facing dozens of civil lawsuits, this federal criminal case will decide if he goes free or is potentially sentenced to decades in prison. Here’s what to expect when the highly anticipated trial unfolds.

Jury Selection:

Hundreds of New York City residents have been summoned for jury duty and will appear in court to see if they will be selected. The process includes filling out a questionnaire compiled by Diddy’s legal team and federal prosecutors that tries to establish how much each person knows about the case and Diddy, in order to establish a non biased jury. Both sides will exclude prospective jurors until a jury of 12 people and six alternates is selected. This will be an arduous process considering Diddy’s fame.

The Prosecution:

According to the government, Sean “Diddy” Combs has been a bad boy. He was arrested on Sept. 16, 2024, following a seven-month investigation that included raids on his homes in Miami and Los Angeles last March. Diddy was originally charged with one count each of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has since been hit with three more superseding indictments and faces two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Authorities say for years Diddy used his power, money and influence to force people to participate in drug-fueled sex orgies known as “freak offs” or “Wild King Nights.” According to his 14-page indictment, Puff “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”

During the raids on his homes last March, authorities discovered narcotics like Ketamine, Ecstasy, GHB, three illegally modified AR-15 rifles, and “more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.” Federal agents also confiscated computers and recordings of the alleged parties that Diddy allegedly used to blackmail people.

Prosecutors also have a video of Diddy assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016, which prosecutors claim happened in the midst of a “freak off.” Cassie is set to be the government’s star witness. Three other alleged victims are slated to take the stand against the record label head as well.

The Defense:

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has also reportedly turned down a plea deal. The 54-year-old hip-hop mainstay’s attorneys are calling the case a total farce and an attempt to take down a powerful Black man. They will present evidence that shows Diddy lives a swinger lifestyle, and all of Diddy’s sexual encounters were consensual.

They will also question Diddy’s mental capacity at the time of the alleged crimes. Diddy has admitted to going to rehab following the Cassie incident, seemingly confessing to a drug issue. His lawyers plan to put a doctor on the stand to testify about Diddy having a “mental condition bearing on the issue of guilt,” resulting in being out of his mind on drugs.

As for the video of Diddy assaulting Cassie, which Puff has acknowledged and apologized for, the mogul’s lawyers have disputed its accuracy. They will claim the video was altered to make Diddy look more menacing and does not show the entire incident or context.

A judge recently approved Diddy’s request to wear non-prison clothing during the trial. Opening statements are scheduled to begin May 12. The trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. If found guilty, Diddy could be sentenced to life in prison.

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