Germania Rodriguez-Poleo

And just to set the scene, Diddy arrived in court with a new outfit today. He was wearing a gray suit with a white shirt and glasses. His 85-year-old mother, Janice, was there too. She was wearing a large pair of sunglasses. Six of his seven kids also showed up to court. They all sat a couple of rows behind him in the main courtroom.

Diddy's girlfriend, Dana Tran, also made a surprise appearance at the courthouse, and several of his close friends were also in the overflow court. One of Diddy's representatives, a woman called Holly Baird, told reporters that he was upbeat and ready for his side of the story to be told. The jury selection in this trial has already been a lengthy process.

Diddy's girlfriend, Dana Tran, also made a surprise appearance at the courthouse, and several of his close friends were also in the overflow court. One of Diddy's representatives, a woman called Holly Baird, told reporters that he was upbeat and ready for his side of the story to be told. The jury selection in this trial has already been a lengthy process.

Over the past week, 150 potential jurors have been whittled down. There was even some debate around potential racial bias in the jury pool as the defense highlighted that seven black prospective jurors were being dismissed. This was quickly resolved. And just after 9.30 a.m. today, the hearing got underway with the final 18 jury members being chosen.

Over the past week, 150 potential jurors have been whittled down. There was even some debate around potential racial bias in the jury pool as the defense highlighted that seven black prospective jurors were being dismissed. This was quickly resolved. And just after 9.30 a.m. today, the hearing got underway with the final 18 jury members being chosen.

There are 12, eight men and four women on the main jury and another six alternates. At around 10.17 a.m. today, they were each asked to stand in turn and were sworn in to try the case. The judge told them that they had a tremendously important task to do. He said it would be a long road, but they alone could be the sole judges of the facts of the case.

There are 12, eight men and four women on the main jury and another six alternates. At around 10.17 a.m. today, they were each asked to stand in turn and were sworn in to try the case. The judge told them that they had a tremendously important task to do. He said it would be a long road, but they alone could be the sole judges of the facts of the case.

She said, with the help of his trusted inner circle of bodyguards and staff, he committed many serious crimes, including kidnapping, arson, bribery, and crimes involving drugs and sex. And his entourage allegedly helped him to commit and cover up these crimes again and again. She said she wanted the jury to understand that the case is not about Diddy's private sexual preferences.

She said, with the help of his trusted inner circle of bodyguards and staff, he committed many serious crimes, including kidnapping, arson, bribery, and crimes involving drugs and sex. And his entourage allegedly helped him to commit and cover up these crimes again and again. She said she wanted the jury to understand that the case is not about Diddy's private sexual preferences.

Rather, his behavior was allegedly coercive and criminal because he forced women to have sex when they did not want to.

Rather, his behavior was allegedly coercive and criminal because he forced women to have sex when they did not want to.

Both women, she said, were forced to take ecstasy and have sex with multiple male escorts, sometimes for days on end. which Diddy filmed for his own sexual gratification. These secret sex parties were highly orchestrated and nicknamed freak-offs or wild king nights or hotel nights. She said they allegedly took place in hotel rooms across the US and the world.

Both women, she said, were forced to take ecstasy and have sex with multiple male escorts, sometimes for days on end. which Diddy filmed for his own sexual gratification. These secret sex parties were highly orchestrated and nicknamed freak-offs or wild king nights or hotel nights. She said they allegedly took place in hotel rooms across the US and the world.

Diddy would tell the women what lingerie and high heels he wanted them to wear, and he demanded that his inner circle stage dark lighting in the hotel rooms, supply lubricants and extra bedding for the sex sessions. He allegedly masturbated during these sessions, which he filmed and beat the women if they tried to leave without his permission.

Diddy would tell the women what lingerie and high heels he wanted them to wear, and he demanded that his inner circle stage dark lighting in the hotel rooms, supply lubricants and extra bedding for the sex sessions. He allegedly masturbated during these sessions, which he filmed and beat the women if they tried to leave without his permission.

He also allegedly used the footage to control and blackmail them by threatening to release them publicly and destroy their careers.

He also allegedly used the footage to control and blackmail them by threatening to release them publicly and destroy their careers.

Now, you'll probably remember that Diddy apologized for his behavior in the video and his lawyers tried and failed to have it excluded from the trial. And we should say here that all the while this graphic detail was being outlined to the jury, Diddy simply stared blankly straight ahead with his hands folded in his lap.

Now, you'll probably remember that Diddy apologized for his behavior in the video and his lawyers tried and failed to have it excluded from the trial. And we should say here that all the while this graphic detail was being outlined to the jury, Diddy simply stared blankly straight ahead with his hands folded in his lap.

Then, just before the lunch break, it was his lawyer, Tenny Garagos' chance to address the jury. She asked Diddy to stand up as she described how they may know her client as Puff Daddy P. Diddy or just Diddy, but in court, he would be simply Sean Combs. She said he was born in Harlem and came from nothing, but worked hard to create a music label that changed a generation.