NEW YORK, May 5 (Reuters) - As jury selection got underway on Monday for Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial, prospective jurors said they had heard news about allegations against the hip-hop mogul, seen a video of him allegedly assaulting a woman, and even heard a comedian joke about the baby oil authorities say they found in his residences.

But simply having followed prior media coverage about the case was not enough for them to be excused from potentially serving on the jury for the two-month trial of Combs, 55, on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.