NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ intercourse trafficking trial have been barely seated on the trial’s first day after they have been proven a video of the hip-hop mogul viciously attacking his longtime girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie.
Over the subsequent seven weeks, jurors heard from 34 witnesses. All have been known as to the stand by prosecutors, however every was questioned by protection legal professionals as they tried to problem the portrayal of Combs as an out-of-control, violent boss who drove his staff and associates to concern him as he demanded their assist in finishing up vendettas, getting medicine and fulfilling his sexual fantasies.
After cross-examinations that always lasted longer than the questions posed by prosecutors, protection legal professionals spent solely a half hour extra presenting proof as soon as prosecutors completed their aspect of the case. A relaxed and seemingly happy Combs himself confirmed he wouldn’t testify.
Now, jurors are set to listen to closing arguments Thursday and Friday within the closing levels of a trial wherein they’ve watched movies of drug-fueled “freak-offs” and “hotel nights” the place Cassie and one other ex-girlfriend, “Jane,” stated Combs pressured them to have intercourse with strangers as he watched.
In addition they have heard testimony from Cassie and Jane, from private assistants who stated they witnessed Combs’ violence and from different ladies who additionally accused him of abuse. They noticed textual content and social media messages and journey data.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible. If convicted, he might spend the remainder of his life in jail.
Here is how the trial has performed out thus far:
Cassie: ‘I’m not a rag doll’
Cassie, whose actual title is Casandra Ventura, dated Combs from 2007 to 2018 after he signed her to his Unhealthy Boy Information label.
Over 4 days, she instructed jurors Combs beat her and ordered her to have “disgusting” intercourse with male intercourse employees throughout multi-day “freak-offs,” his time period for sexual marathons. She additionally stated Combs raped her after she stated she was ending their relationship.
In 2016, safety cameras captured Combs hitting, kicking and dragging Cassie as she left his room on the Intercontinental Lodge in Los Angeles. The video was proven on the trial’s begin. A lodge guard testified that Combs paid $100,000 to cover the video. It remained secret till CNN aired it in Could 2024.
After the assault, Cassie texted Combs: “I’m not a rag doll. I’m somebody’s child.”
Cassie first detailed her allegations in a lawsuit in opposition to Combs in 2023. He settled the subsequent day for $20 million.
Jane: ‘You beat the love out of us’
Jane, testifying below a pseudonym, dated Combs from 2021 till his arrest final September.
The mannequin stated she repeatedly instructed Combs she didn’t need to have intercourse with different males — pleading with him, “I’m not an animal. I need a break” — however that he stored pressuring her. She stated she felt “obligated” partially as a result of he paid her lease.
Jane stated she tried to finish the encounters, texting him in 2023: “Ever since I opened Pandora’s box, I haven’t been able to close it.” He responded: “Girl, stop.” One other time, she instructed him: “You beat the love out of us.”
Final 12 months, Jane stated, Combs put her in a chokehold, punched her within the face and compelled her into an encounter with a intercourse employee. She stated he instructed her: “You’re not going to ruin my night like this.”
Each ladies stated Combs threatened to launch their intercourse movies in the event that they refused his calls for.
Child Cudi and others who say Combs wronged them
Rapper Child Cudi testified that Combs broke into his residence in late 2011 after studying he and Cassie have been courting. His automobile was firebombed a couple of weeks later. Cudi, whose authorized title is Scott Mescudi, stated he knew Combs “had something to do” with it, however Combs instructed him he wasn’t concerned.
Ex-Combs worker Capricorn Clark stated Combs got here to her residence waving a gun the day of the break-in and demanded she dress and go along with him as a result of “we’re going to kill Cudi.”
A former private assistant testifying below the pseudonym “Mia” stated Combs put his hand up her costume and forcibly kissed her at his fortieth celebration in 2009, pressured her to carry out oral intercourse on one other event and raped her in 2010. His legal professionals say the claims are false.
Cassie’s pal Bryana “Bana” Bongolan testified that Combs dangled her over the railing of Cassie’s seventeenth flooring balcony and threw her onto patio furnishings in September 2016, leaving her bruised and traumatized.
Child oil, lubricant and AR-15s
Six of Combs’ former private assistants testified.
George Kaplan stated he’d toss out liquor bottles and medicines and clear up child oil from Combs’ lodge rooms. He stated he stop after seeing Combs preventing with Cassie however did not report it to authorities.
David James testified that Combs had him inventory lodge rooms with child oil, condoms, Viagra and different provides. James stated he noticed Combs with three handguns on his lap as they drove to confront Combs’ report business rival Suge Knight in 2008.
Brendan Paul stated he purchased medicine for Combs together with cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy and marijuana.
Federal brokers testified that they discovered “freak-off” provides throughout raids final 12 months on Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami-area properties and within the New York Metropolis lodge room the place he was arrested. They stated additionally they discovered AR-15 rifles, different weapons and ammunition at Combs’ properties.
Taking part in protection with prosecution witnesses
Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking — one for Cassie, one for Jane — and two counts of transportation to interact in prostitution.
His protection case lasted all of half-hour. Combs waived his proper to testify, as defendants typically do, and his legal professionals did not name witnesses of their very own. As an alternative, they sought to undercut the credibility of his accusers via cross-examination.
They seized on inconsistencies in witness accounts, highlighted accusers’ willingness to proceed seeing him and heat messages they exchanged with him after alleged abuse. In addition they accused ladies of attempting to money in on “the #MeToo money grab against Sean Combs.”
Reluctant witnesses proved priceless to the protection
It wasn’t all unhealthy for Combs. Jane acknowledged that regardless of all the things she endured she nonetheless loves Combs. Different prosecution witnesses showered him with reward.
Kaplan stated he nonetheless sends Combs birthday greetings and invited him to his wedding ceremony. Kaplan instructed jurors he was grateful to work for Combs and nonetheless has “a great deal of respect” for him.
Combs’ legal professionals confronted celeb stylist Deonte Nash with messages he despatched expressing love for Combs. A few of them have been from 2019 and 2020, two years after their skilled relationship ended.
Lacking items: Gina, KK and D-Roc
Initially, prosecutors constructed their case round 4 major witnesses: Cassie, Jane, Mia and Gina, a former Combs girlfriend who was referred to in his charging paperwork as “Victim-3.”
However Gina, who dated Combs from 2014 to 2019, was quietly dropped from the case and by no means testified. Nonetheless, she figured prominently within the trial.
Cassie famous she was actually upset when she came upon Combs was dishonest with Gina. Kaplan stated he as soon as noticed Combs hurling apples at Gina.
Others from Combs’ orbit who have been talked about however not seen in courtroom included his former chief of employees, a bodyguard and different members of his safety employees.
