NEW YORK (AP) — Testimony within the intercourse trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs started this week, opening a window into what prosecutors say was the sordid world of group intercourse, medicine and violence beneath the glittering, jet set persona cultivated by the Unhealthy Boy Data founder.
A lot of the testimony was exhausting to look at. Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie, recounted being crushed and pressured into degrading sexual performances with strangers.
Listed here are 5 key moments from the trial, which resumes Monday:
Protection: Combs is a violent jerk and a swinger, however not a intercourse trafficker
Lawyer Teny Geragos took a novel strategy to defending Combs in her opening assertion.
She conceded the hip-hop impresario has a “bad temper” and is liable to violent outbursts which can be usually fueled by alcohol, jealousy and medicines.
However she maintained that whereas his actions may need warranted home violence fees, they aren’t proof he engaged in intercourse trafficking and racketeering — the fees he faces.
Geragos argued that Combs’ sexual habits had been a part of a swinger way of life involving consenting adults and reminded jurors that “kinky” sexual predilections don’t equate to intercourse trafficking.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man. But this is not a complicated case,” she said. “This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money.”
Jurors sees video and pictures of notorious LA lodge assault on Cassie
The packed courtroom fell silent when jurors had been proven safety digital camera video of Combs assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles lodge in 2016.
The video depicts Cassie, an R&B singer, headed down a hallway towards the lodge’s elevators simply earlier than Combs rounds a nook, strikes her and throws her to the bottom earlier than kicking her after which dragging her again towards their lodge room.
Jurors additionally considered pictures of injury within the lodge hallway, together with flowers strewn on the ground and soil spattered in opposition to a wall. Later, as Cassie testified concerning the assault, they had been proven pictures of the musician’s swollen lip.
The trial’s first witness was a former safety guard on the lodge. Israel Florez testified Combs tried to bribe him, holding out a stack of cash with a $100 on prime, telling him: “Don’t tell nobody.”
Florez mentioned he responded: “I don’t want your money. Just go back into your room.”
Cassie describes ‘freak-offs’ in disturbing element
The “Me & U” singer, whose authorized title is Casandra Ventura, testified that Combs was into voyeurism and dictated each facet of intercourse occasions he dubbed “freak-offs.”
The extremely orchestrated affairs, which Combs additionally referred to as “wild king nights” or “lodge nights,” concerned male intercourse employees, heavy drug use and copious lubrication.
“It was his fantasy,” Cassie mentioned.
Cassie mentioned every “freak-off” concerned about 10 massive bottles of child oil — heated up.
“It was such a mess,” she mentioned. “It was like, ‘What are we doing?’”
She mentioned Combs additionally requested her to carry out degrading and painful intercourse acts with male intercourse employees.
Cassie mentioned finally she was doing “freak-offs” weekly for a decade, with the ultimate one in 2017 or 2018.
“The freak-offs became a job,” Cassie recounted.
She mentioned she felt she could not refuse as a result of she feared the movies could be made public.
Jurors additionally heard from Daniel Phillip, who mentioned he was an expert stripper paid to have intercourse with Cassie whereas Combs gave directions. He testified that he as soon as noticed Combs drag Cassie by her hair as she screamed.
Messages between Combs and Cassie present an advanced relationship
Protection attorneys, throughout their cross examination of Cassie, sought to forged the musician as an enthusiastic participant within the intercourse marathons.
“I’m always ready to freak off,” she wrote in a single 2009 message learn in court docket.
Later that 12 months, nonetheless, Cassie expressed frustration with the state of their relationship and informed Combs she wanted one thing extra from him than intercourse.
In a 2017 textual content message, Cassie informed Combs: “I love our FOs when we both want it,” utilizing the initials of freak-off. On the stand, Cassie defined: “I would say loving FOs were just words at that point.”
Singer Daybreak Richard recalled Combs beating Cassie
The previous forged member on Combs’ MTV actuality present “Making the Band” testified that she noticed Combs bodily assault Cassie on a number of events.
Throughout a 2009 incident in his dwelling, Richard mentioned Combs tried to strike Cassie within the head with a black skillet earlier than he put his arm round her neck and dragged her up the steps.
“I was scared for her and scared to do anything,” she said. “I had never seen anything like that before.”
Richard, who was later a member of the Combs’ band Diddy — Soiled Cash, sued the producer final 12 months, accusing him of bodily abuse, groping, and psychological abuse through the years they labored collectively. His consultant denied the claims on the time.
