
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex Trafficking Trial To Begin: Latest Updates
The federal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs begins today in Lower Manhattan, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The case is expected to last up to eight weeks and includes allegations from several women, including singer Cassie Ventura, who say Combs used violence and coercion for sex.
09:32 AM EDT
Why Sean 'Diddy' Combs lawyers are focusing on what jurors aren't saying
Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.
Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.
zz/Zephyr/STAR MAX/IPx
Jury selection in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs entered its third day on Wednesday, and a jury consulting expert said body language from potential jurors could play an important role in the process.
The charges against Combs have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, given his longstanding influence as a rapper, producer and entrepreneur. With potential legal ramifications that could reshape his career, the trial has become a focal point for both media and public attention.
Jury selection is expected to play a pivotal role in the case, potentially influencing the outcome based on who is chosen to serve.
Hiliary Remick, managing director of jury consulting at Magna Legal Services, explained the role body language could play in jury selection.
"The trick for the defendant is to figure out whether these jurors are giving off any other signals," Remick told Newsweek. "So they might be looking at the jurors to see if there's anything from body language that they can detect that might mean they really want to be on this jury."
Read the full story by Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
When Is 'American Pickers' Coming Back? Danielle Reveals Season 27 Air Date
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. American Pickers has a premiere date for Season 27, the show's star Danielle Colby told Newsweek. The Context American Pickers quickly became a History Channel hit following its debut in January 2010. The series follows collectors in search of unique artifacts in small towns and back roads throughout the United States. The show was first hosted by Mike Wolfe and his childhood pal, Frank Fritz, while Colby—who is also a longtime friend of Wolfe—worked as his office manager for his antique store, Antique Archaeology. Following Fritz's death in September 2024, the show has continued with Wolfe's brother, Rob Wolfe. Mike Wolfe from History Channel's "American Pickers" attends the grand opening of the History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010 in New York City. Mike Wolfe from History Channel's "American Pickers" attends the grand opening of the History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010 in New York To Know American Pickers' new season will premiere on July 2 on the History Channel, Colby told Newsweek. "It is confirmed! It is July 2," they said. Season 26 concluded in January, and fans have been waiting patiently for the next season to begin. While speaking with Newsweek, Colby—who prefers "they/them" pronouns—revealed their favorite memories from the show. "I just love our time on the road because our time in the road is freedom," they said. "We have an opportunity to just kind of absorb ourselves in what we love." They added that the "Mole Man" episode from Season 1 was their "favorite," noting that their conversation with Wolfe was something "nobody else is privy to." "Mole Man" aired in March 2010 and featured "Mole Man" Ron, a collector with a 26-room underground storage space. "Those conversations were incredible, and it was a magical moment for TV, and it was a magical moment for all of us because we were all experiencing something new and different as well." What People Are Saying In an interview with People in March, Wolfe said American Pickers would go on hiatus after filming wraps in June: "We haven't done that in 15 years, so that's going to feel good. For 15 years, we have just been going and going and going... I think we're going to have at least four or five months off, so it's going to be good." What Happens Next On Saturday, June 21, Colby opened their burlesque museum called the Ecdysiast Arts Museum in Davenport, Iowa. They told Newsweek that their husband, Jeremy Scheuch, and their children, Miles and Memphis, pitched in to help ahead of its grand opening. American Pickers Season 27 returns on Wednesday, July 2, at 9 p.m. ET on the History Channel.


Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Signs Your Baby Is Highly Sensitive, According to a Child Psychologist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A TikTok video of a baby crying during a song from The Little Mermaid has sparked heartwarming discussion online about highly sensitive children. In the video, Allie, the baby's aunt, filmed the moment her niece swelled with emotion in accordance with the Disney song. Many viewers in the comments speculated that the baby might be experiencing "frisson"—a French term for the physical chills some people get when emotionally moved by music. But could this be something else entirely? Newsweek spoke to Allie, 32, along with a child psychologist to better understand the adorable phenomenon. Allie said that she has seen her niece, Eleanor, have such a strong response to music has been incredible to witness—and started early. Photos from Allie's TikTok video of her baby niece. Photos from Allie's TikTok video of her baby niece. @alliemorganb/TikTok "[It] has been so precious because it's such raw emotion coming out that she obviously can't control, and shows what a tender heart she has," Allie explained. "She has been reacting this way to certain songs since she was six months old." The first time Eleanor showed this emotional response was when her dad was singing Faithfully by Journey around the house. At first, he thought she might be fussy, but after he sat down and continued singing, Eleanor continued to get emotional at certain parts of the song, Allie said. Eleanor's deep emotional sensitivity to music shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, though—her family is filled with musicians and singers. Allie went on to say that Eleanor is the first grandchild in her family. "She has such an infectious and happy personality and is so affectionate to those close to her," she said. "So, to see this happy baby get so moved by music is the most heartwarming thing, but not a big surprise considering our family is very into music." Three Signs Your Baby Might Be Sensitive While many TikTok commenters suggested that Eleanor might be experiencing "frisson," Dr. Kanchi Wijesekera, a clinical child psychologist and founder of Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, offered Newsweek a different perspective. "The term 'frisson' isn't a clinical term," she said. "There is no evidence confirming that infants can experience frisson in the way adults do." Instead, Dr. Wijesekera believes that Eleanor's emotional response is likely tied to sensory processing and emotional recognition. "What's likely being observed is a combination of sensory processing and emotional recognition," she explained. She also pointed to Dr. Elaine Aron's research on highly sensitive children. Although Aron's studies focused on toddlers and older children, Dr. Wijesekera said that early emotional reactions to music could be an early indicator of emotional sensitivity in infants. She explained three signs that your baby might be more emotionally sensitive: Strong reactions to music or art: "If your baby calms or cries in response to music or expressive faces, it may reflect early emotional attunement. This is not the same as frisson, but it's a sign they're taking in the emotional tone of their environment." Heightened awareness of environment: "Babies who startle easily at loud sounds, track visual stimuli, or seem observant may be more sensitive to sensory and emotional cues." Emotional contagion: "If your baby mirrors your mood or becomes distressed when others are upset, it suggests early empathy, a skill for emotional intelligence." Dr. Wijesekera also suggests that parents and caregivers can support their baby's emotional sensitivity by creating gentle environments that respect the child's need for calm and soothing stimuli. While Eleanor might not be experiencing "frisson" in the scientific sense, her reaction is an adorable reminder that emotional sensitivity can emerge very early in life. Allie concluded, "It could be [frisson], or she could just be more sensitive to music than average, but we will keep an eye out for that as she grows up."
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Diddy's Alleged Instructions For Male Escorts At His 'Freak-Offs' Revealed By Prosecutors In New Text Messages
Prosecutors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-trafficking trial have released a text exchange between a male escort and the rapper's associate. The text messages reportedly contain detailed instructions for the escort on how to take part in the rapper's marathon "freak-off." New FBI raid photos from Sean "Diddy" Combs' Los Angeles mansion have also revealed a stash of weapons, drugs, and stacks of baby oil seemingly used during the rapper's wild parties. New evidence in Diddy's trial has unearthed shocking text exchanges between a male escort and someone described as a close associate of the music mogul. Court documents reveal that a male escort named Jules was in contact with an unnamed associate, whose identity is not disclosed, but is referred to as "device owner" in the message screenshots. According to the evidence, on August 26, 2009, the "device owner" reached out to Jules with a last-minute proposition to fly from Los Angeles to New York City to participate in the event. The associate offered Jules a "tip" for the short notice. Within two minutes, Jules responded affirmatively. Diddy's alleged associate then followed up by sending him flight details for a Virgin America trip from LAX to JFK. The "device owner" also instructed the escort to contact them whenever he was ready to leave the event, so they could book his return flight. According to the Daily Mail, after Jules landed in New York early on the morning of August 27, 2009, he messaged the "device owner" to confirm his arrival and let them know he was heading to his hotel room to freshen up. Roughly an hour later, the "device owner" instructed Jules to come to room 4901, to which Jules replied, "OK." Later that afternoon, around 2:45 p.m., Jules texted again, this time requesting help booking a return flight to Los Angeles. However, the associate told him the flight would be arranged after he came back to the room, asking him to return within the hour. Jules replied that he needed a bit more rest and asked if the timing could be flexible. He joked that he hadn't slept in two days and quipped, "u guys r rabbits lol." The associate responded reassuringly, writing, "Lol, Ok hit me when you wake. Sorry bro. No stress. U let me know." At 7:45 p.m. on August 27, 2009, nearly four hours after their previous conversation, Jules messaged that he was on his way to the room. Fifteen minutes later, he followed up to say he was "at the door knocking" and asked to be let in "if u are there." By 8:10 p.m., Jules speculated that whoever was inside had likely "stepped out." It wasn't until 8:21 p.m. that the associate responded with a simple instruction: "OK come up." Months later, in December 2009, text messages show Jules seeking help from the same associate to fabricate a cover story. On December 8, he requested a message he could show his girlfriend to hide his involvement: "Can u shoot me a text just saying you guys will be somewhere else this weekend so I can show her?" After some back-and-forth, Jules confirmed the excuse "worked" and proceeded to offer up his availability. Notably, in these texts, the events weren't referred to as "freak-offs" but more discreetly labeled as a "party." Diddy is currently facing a series of serious federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. Prosecutors allege that the "Bad Boy" mogul orchestrated a secretive network of drug-fueled sex events, where victims were manipulated, coerced, and subjected to violence. Diddy, however, denies the allegations, asserting that every encounter was consensual. This week, the case took a dramatic turn when prosecutors introduced newly uncovered text messages and a series of explosive photographs captured during a March 2024 FBI raid on Diddy's Los Angeles estate in Holmby Hills. The images, now part of the court record, offer a disturbing glimpse into what prosecutors describe as a lifestyle steeped in excess, control, and substance abuse. Jurors were shown high-powered rifles, bags of ketamine, suspected narcotics, and hundreds of bottles of baby oil and lubricant, many stored in glass cabinets or ornate display boxes. Adding to the mounting evidence, Paul, a 26-year-old former assistant to Diddy and a one-time Syracuse University basketball player, testified in court about his role within the rapper's inner circle. Paul admitted to cleaning up after the so-called "freak-off" sex marathons and said he regularly purchased a variety of drugs for Diddy, typically once a month. Still, he rejected claims that he acted as Diddy's "drug mule," insisting under oath that he never trafficked drugs. As the trial continues, Diddy risks being sentenced to life in prison if found guilty of racketeering. He could also face a minimum of 15 years in prison if found guilty of sex trafficking and a maximum of 10 years for transportation to engage in prostitution.