Opening Statements Expected in Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial

Sean "Diddy" Combs is preparing for several major developments in court.

First, the formal selection of the jury is expected on Monday, May 12, 2025, according to USA Today.

Then, opening statements are expected to occur that same day. According to USA Today, the trial is starting an hour early in hopes of making time for the opening statements. That's when the public will get to hear both the federal prosecutors and the defense team make their cases for the first time in court, in detail, according to ABC 30.

The previous week was swamped by the jury selection process. The week of May 12, though, will be an especially big week in Combs' trial. 

In addition, witnesses may start taking the stand as early as May 12, although the trial is not televised, according to ABC 30. Combs will start the process of facing his accusers and others as he battles the racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

There are 43 people left in the jury pool, and the first task at hand Monday will be "whittling" them down to 12, USA Today reported, a process both sides' attorneys will be involved in.

Combs would face a mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted on the charges, and he could face life in prison, ABC 7 reported, so a lot is at stake for the famed rapper, who once led a high-profile life of infamous white parties and celebrity.

Combs' lawyers plan to argue during their opening statement that he "may have committed domestic violence in his relationships with women," but his behavior "did not tip into coercion," according to ABC 30.

Combs' lawyers telegraphed their approach in court on Friday, May 9, according to the television station.

"We are going to take the position that there was mutual violence in their relationship," defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said, according to ABC 30, likely referring to accuser Cassie Ventura. "We're probably going to call it domestic violence."

Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Makes Unexpected 9-Word Statement in Court