Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyers want to know potential jurors' sex trafficking views

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Prospective jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial next month will be asked about their opinions on a range of issues including kidnapping, drug distribution and sex trafficking, according to draft questionnaires filed by the hip-hop mogul's lawyers.

Combs, 55, is facing five criminal counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. Prosecutors accuse Combs, also known during his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, of using his business empire to sexually abuse women between 2004 and 2024.

Jury selection for the trial, which will take place in a federal court in New York City, is scheduled to begin on May 5. 

"The charges in this case involve allegations of kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution," the draft questionnaires state. "Is there anything about the nature of these allegations that would make it difficult for you to be fair and impartial?"

The draft questionnaires also warn that graphic videos and photographs that show physical violence and include sexually explicit scenes and language could be presented as evidence during the trial.

Prosecutors allege the abuse included having women take part in recorded sexual performances called "freak-offs" with male sex workers, who were sometimes transported across state lines.

Combs, who has pled not guilty to all charges, founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with helping turn rappers and R&B singers such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars in the 1990s and 2000s.

Prosecutors have said Combs' success concealed a dark side, citing a number of incidents, including in March 2016 when he was captured on a surveillance video kicking, dragging and throwing a vase at a woman trying to leave a Los Angeles hotel.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Don Durfee and Paul Simao)