Image source, Reuters / Jane Rosenberg

Court is on an hour's break now. Earlier this morning, the jury was sworn in and opening statements began.

If you are just joining us, here's a recap of what has happened so far today:

From the prosecution:

• The US government contends that Combs used his status as a high-profile rapper and music executive to enact violence and blackmail his sexual partners, including his ex-partner, the singer Cassie
• They argue Combs' behaviour was "coercive and criminal" and that he "had the power to ruin" his alleged victims’ lives

From the defence:

• The defence argues that while Combs might have engaged in domestic violence, he is innocent of the sex trafficking and prostitution charges at the heart of this case
• They argue that Combs had a swinger's lifestyle and that all his sexual encounters were consensual, with adults who for many years had the power to leave but chose not to

Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from court

Before court broke for lunch, Combs' legal team told the jury that there would be videos of so-called "freak-offs" used as evidence.

The defence claims these events were all consensual, and the alleged victims did not call police.

Federal authorities have described "freak-offs" as days-long sex parties involving multiple sex workers. Combs is accused of coercing participants with drugs and threats.

He has denied the charges against him.

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from court

The defence has now finished opening statements and the court is now taking an hour break for lunch.

We will be back with the first witness.

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from court

Warning: This post and others below contain distressing details

The defence team has also brought up a video which shows Combs assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway.

The defence attorney tells jurors they are going to see the video "many, many times throughout this trial".

She says it’s "indefensible" and evidence of domestic violence - but not sex trafficking.

The defence lawyer says Combs grabs Cassie’s phone in the video, and argues that his assault was fuelled by drugs and jealousy - but not sex trafficking.

Lawyer Teny Geragos tells the court that Cassie stayed with Combs for years after the assault.

“For Cassie, she made a choice, every single day, to stay with him,” Geragos says.

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from court

Image source, Jane Rosenberg / Reuters

The defence is close to wrapping up their opening statement.

Lawyer Teny Geragos continues to argue that Combs committed domestic violence - but is not a sex trafficker.

They have argued he has a "swinger’s lifestyle" - and had "consensual threesomes by adults".

And they have tried to shift the focus to the women who accuse Combs of assault, saying they were "capable, strong women" who made a choice to stay with Combs.

"With each person, they are all getting something" from Combs, the defence attorney tells the court.

Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from court

Image source, Jane Rosenberg / Reuters

Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos is giving the opening statement for the defence.

The strategy she’s taking: admitting some of Combs’ flaws. Geragos says that Combs is angry and violent, and that allegations against Combs amount to domestic violence - but they don’t amount to sex trafficking and racketeering.

She characterises Combs’ relationships with the alleged victims - and the freak offs themselves - as being consensual.

Geragos says Combs' prior relationships were consensual, that they “loved him” and were benefitting from the relationship.

Geragos also tells the New York jury about Combs' roots, emphasising that the rapper is from Harlem and came from nothing.

Lawyers defending Combs have now taken to the podium to deliver their opening statements, according to reporters in the courtroom.

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from court

Image source, Jane Rosenberg / Reuters

Warning: This post and others below contain distressing details

The government has been centring its opening statements on two alleged victims, R&B singer Cassie and another unnamed woman.

The prosecutor shares graphic details of Combs’ alleged assaults - including times when he allegedly kicked women and pulled their hair and beat down bathroom doors to get to them.

Prosecutors also lay out the sex trafficking part of their case - claiming that Diddy forced his sexual partners to take drugs and engage in sex acts with prostitutes.

They mention the video that appears to show Combs beating up his girlfriend of the time, Cassie, in a hotel hallway.

“When she tried to run away, he always found her,” the prosecutor says of Cassie.

That video is expected to be used has evidence during this trial.

As the prosecutor shares graphic details of alleged assaults, Diddy has had a blank stare on his face, his hands still folded in his lap.

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from court

The government is continuing its opening statement.

Over the past 30 minutes, the government has laid out its case against Combs, sharing many of the details from the indictment against him.

The prosecutor says Combs’ behaviour is more than just a "celebrity’s sexual preferences" but was "coercive and criminal".

The defendant "had the power to ruin" his victims’ lives, the prosecutor tells the court.

Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from court

Warning: This post contains distressing details

Opening statements have started, and the prosecution is up first. Speaking to the jury, prosecutor Emily A. Johnson lays out their case.

She tells the court Combs is a man who spent the last 20 years running a criminal enterprise with the help of bodyguards and staff members.

Cassie is mentioned, with the prosecutor telling the court about a night when Combs found out she was seeing another man, broke into that man’s home and searched for Cassie. The court hears Combs "beat her brutally".

R&B artist Casandra "Cassie" Ventura is Diddy's ex-partner, and will likely be mentioned frequently in this trial.

The prosecution then claims Combs forced Cassie to have sex with male escorts and then blackmailed her with footage of the encounters.

The court hears Combs used his business empire to commit and cover up a host of drug and sex crimes.

Image source, Getty Images

Leading Diddy's defence is Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer who has experience with high-profile cases. Agnifilo previously defended cult leader Keith Raniere, convicted fraudster Martin Shkreli, and former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng.

He’s also representing Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive Brian Thompson.

Also on the legal team is Teny Geragos, the daughter of famous celebrity attorney Mark Geragos. In the last few days, the prosecution has taken issue with the elder Geragos, because of content shared on his podcast - 2 Angry Men.

"I’m here to support my daughter. (Combs) is a friend,” he told CNN on Tuesday.

Image source, Reuters

There are five other lawyers representing Combs. In a court sketch from jury selection last week, Diddy was seen hugging Brian Steel, the defence’s most recent addition - who represented rapper Young Thug in Georgia recently.

On the other side, there are eight members of the prosecution, including Maurene Ryan Comey, who’s had a storied career in the Southern District of New York and previously secured a conviction for British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.

The prosecution has begun delivering its opening statements, according to reporters inside court.

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from court

A jury has now been sworn in for the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The judge brought in all 12 jurors and 6 alternates into the courtroom and had them raise their right hand to swear to an oath.

Opening statements will begin soon.

The judge is giving preliminary instructions to the jurors. He tells them their job is to "administer justice" without bias.

He tells jurors they cannot talk with anyone else - not a spouse - about the case, and they must report if anyone tries to contact them.

As the judge gives the instructions, Diddy is seated with his hands folded in his lap listening.

Pratiksha Ghildial
Reporting from outside court

Image source, Getty Images

It’s a warm, sunny day in New York and, as expected, there is an absolute media scrum outside the court.

Federal courts don’t allow any electronics inside, including mobile phones. So many journalists are running in and out through the security lines to send their updates.

High profile cases like these often tend to attract all sorts of characters - including fans - and there is one right beside us loudly expressing his unhappiness at not being able to make it inside court to watch the proceedings because it’s full.

It’s going to be an interesting day.

Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from court

The proceedings for the day are finally under way - an hour later than they were originally scheduled to start. As jury selection wrapped up, lawyers on each side were given the chance to strike jurors.

The defence accused the government of targeting black jurors with their strikes, saying they struck seven, claiming it was a pattern.

The prosecution then gave its justifications for each juror that was struck. Prosecutors said those they struck had the potential for bias, including having relatives who were incarcerated, or being anti-police.

One juror wanted to be on the jury despite it causing him a significant loss of income, which concerned prosecutors - who said he "has an agenda and is trying to get on this jury".

The judge dismissed those jurors

Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from court

Court had a late start today, but jury selection is now complete. All 12 jurors and six alternates have been chosen. The jury consists of eight men and four women.

Next, Judge Arun Subramanian will bring in the full jury and then opening statements will begin.

We'll bring you what each side says in those statements, and the rest of the big moments of the first full day of the trial.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Podcast host, Diddy on Trial

The Diddy on Trial podcast has followed every twist and turn in Diddy’s case since November 2024.

From bombshell balcony dangling allegations, to featuring in a Kanye West track behind bars, and Diddy accusing the federal government of racism - there have been headline-making moments every week… and that’s before the trial even started.

Now we’re bringing you all the updates straight from court in New York. From opening statements to witness and victim testimony, as well as the intense cross examination, we will have at all here on the podcast.

You can listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds or watch on our YouTube channel, external.

Some of Sean Combs' family members are in court, including his children Chance Combs, D'Lila Combs, Justin Combs, Quincy Brown, and his mother Janice Combs.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from court

Hello from one of the four overflow rooms in court holding the many spectators here today to watch opening statements in the Diddy trial.

Things are already off to a late start - the court has yet to start narrowing down jurors as they are supposed to do before opening statements can begin.

Diddy is in court, wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and glasses.

He has been mostly looking down reading documents in front of him.

In the overflow room, there are several of Diddy’s family and friends, as well as Lisa Bloom, a lawyer representing some of the victims. Bloom is seated next to her mother, Hollywood attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing victims in disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial.

We’ll keep you updated as the court proceedings begin.

Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from court

Image source, Getty Images

The judge presiding over this trial is Arun Subramanian, who has been on this bench for about two years.

He was nominated by former President Joe Biden and confirmed in a 59-23 US Senate vote.

New York Senator Chuck Schumer originally recommended Subramanian to Biden, and said in his Senate hearing introduction that "our courts need more people like Arun Subramanian".

Schumer also said Subramanian, the son of Indian immigrants, is the first South Asian judge in the Southern District of New York.

During jury selection, he joked around with lawyers and jurors, comparing one document's length to that of Lord of the Rings.

Before his nomination in 2022, he had a private law practice. Earlier in his career, he also clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.