Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs tells courtroom artist he looks like a ‘koala’ in sketches

(Refiles to add dropped words in paragraph 3)

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Before the jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial returned from a lunch break on Thursday, the gray-bearded hip-hop mogul turned to face courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg in the first row to make an unusual request.

“Soften me up a bit, you’re making me look like a koala bear,” Combs said, according to Rosenberg.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. During the four weeks of his trial, he has worn sweaters and sported graying hair and a goatee.

Rosenberg, a well-known sketch artist, has been documenting the proceedings for Reuters in Manhattan federal court, where photography and video recording are prohibited.

Combs, also