With the upcoming series, ‘The Fall of Diddy’, being the latest one to examine the life and tribulations of “Diddy,” three lawyers—including Susan Scafidi, founder and director of Fordham Law’s Fashion Law Institute—spoke with Women’s Wear Daily about how the publicity could affect his trial.
Given all the Combs-related content, one might wonder if he can get a fair trial. Susan Scafidi, founder of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University, noted how engrained celebrities are in our lives. “We listen to their music, watch them win awards, gossip about their romantic entanglements, and wear their clothes. We’re also eager to look behind the scenes, and when the curtain is pulled back to reveal allegations of misconduct, we continue watching in horrified fascination,” she said. “Prosecutors must prove crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, and present evidence methodically and according to strict rules of admissibility. A documentary, by contrast, can turn the most extreme accusations and denials into entertainment.”
She added, “Every media report, from the most impartial to the most partisan, risks influencing potential jury members, but ultimately the process of impaneling a jury is designed to weed out bias, and jurors will likely be instructed not to credit reports they have already seen or to watch further coverage. The greater issue in a celebrity trial may be the effect on the public at large. If we’ve watched enough to think that Diddy did – or didn’t – do it, then a verdict contrary to our assumptions may undermine our belief in the justice system.”
Read “‘The Fall of Diddy’ Highlights the Plight of Sean Combs” on Women’s Wear Daily.