NEW YORK— Jurors at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking test were hardly seated on the test’s initial day when they were revealed a video clip of the hip-hop magnate viciously assaulting his long time partner, the R&B vocalist Cassie.
Over the following 7 weeks, jurors spoken with 34 witnesses. All were phoned call to the wait district attorneys, yet each was wondered about by defense attorney as they attempted to test the representation of Combs as an out-of-control, fierce manager that drove his staff members and affiliates to fear him as he required their aid in performing grudges, obtaining medicines and satisfying his sex-related dreams.
After interrogations that frequently lasted longer than the inquiries postured by district attorneys, defense attorney invested just a half hour a lot more presenting proof as soon as district attorneys completed their side of the instance. A loosened up and relatively completely satisfied Combs himself verified he would certainly not affirm.
Currently, jurors are readied to listen to shutting disagreements Thursday and Friday in the closing phases of a test in which they have actually viewed video clips of drug-fueled “freak-offs” and “resort evenings” where Cassie and one more ex-girlfriend, “Jane,” stated Combs required them to make love with complete strangers as he saw.
They additionally have actually listened to testament from Cassie and Jane, from individual aides that stated they observed Combs’ physical violence and from various other females that additionally implicated him of misuse. They saw message and social networks messages and traveling documents.
Combs, 55, has actually begged blameless. If founded guilty, he can invest the remainder of his life behind bars.
Here’s just how the test has actually played out until now:
Cassie: ‘I’m not a dustcloth doll’
Cassie, whose genuine name is Casandra Ventura, outdated Combs from 2007 to 2018 after he authorized her to his Negative Young boy Records tag.
Over 4 days, she informed jurors Combs defeated her and purchased her to have “revolting” sex with male sex employees throughout multi-day “freak-offs,” his term for sex-related marathons. She additionally stated Combs raped her after she stated she was finishing their connection.
In 2016, protection video cameras caught Combs striking, kicking and dragging Cassie as she left his area at the Intercontinental Resort in Los Angeles. The video clip was revealed at the test’s beginning. A resort guard affirmed that Combs paid $100,000 to conceal the video clip. It stayed secret till CNN broadcast it in Might 2024.
After the attack, Cassie texted Combs: “I’m not a dustcloth doll. I’m someone’s kid.”
Cassie initial in-depth her accusations in a legal action versus Combs in 2023. He resolved the following day for $20 million.
Jane: ‘You defeat the love out of us’
Jane, indicating under a pseudonym, dated Combs from 2021 till his apprehension last September.
The design stated she repetitively informed Combs she really did not wish to make love with various other males– begging with him, “I’m not a pet. I require a break”– yet that he maintained pressing her. She stated she really felt “bound” partly since he paid her lease.
Jane stated she attempted to finish the experiences, texting him in 2023: “Since I opened up Pandora’s box, I have not had the ability to shut it.” He reacted: “Woman, quit.” Afterward, she informed him: “You defeat the love out of us.”
Last year, Jane stated, Combs placed her in a chokehold, punched her in the face and required her right into an experience with a sex employee. She stated he informed her: “You’re not going to spoil my evening similar to this.”
Both females stated Combs endangered to launch their sex video clips if they declined his needs.
Child Cudi and others that state Combs mistreated them
Rapper Child Cudi affirmed that Combs burglarized his home in late 2011 after discovering he and Cassie were dating. His auto was firebombed a couple of weeks later on. Cudi, whose lawful name is Scott Mescudi, stated he recognized Combs “had something to do” with it, yet Combs informed him he had not been involved.
Ex-Combs staff member Capricorn Clark stated Combs involved her home swing a weapon the day of the burglary and required she obtain clothed and select him since “we’re mosting likely to eliminate Cudi.”
A previous individual aide indicating under the pseudonym “Mia” stated Combs placed his hand up her outfit and by force kissed her at his 40th birthday celebration celebration in 2009, required her to do foreplay on one more event and raped her in 2010. His attorneys state the cases are incorrect.
Cassie’s pal Bryana “Bana” Bongolan affirmed that Combs hung her over the barrier of Cassie’s 17th flooring terrace and tossed her onto patio area furnishings in September 2016, leaving her bruised and distressed.
Infant oil, lubricating substance and AR-15s
Six of Combs’ previous individual aides affirmed.
George Kaplan stated he would certainly throw out alcohol containers and medicines and tidy up infant oil from Combs’ resort spaces. He stated he gave up after seeing Combs combating with Cassie yet really did not report it to authorities.
David James affirmed that Combs had him supply resort spaces with infant oil, prophylactics, Viagra and various other materials. James stated he saw Combs with 3 hand guns on his lap as they drove to challenge Combs’ document market competing Suge Knight in 2008.
Brendan Paul stated he got medicines for Combs consisting of drug, ketamine, euphoria and cannabis.
Federal representatives affirmed that they discovered “freak-off” materials throughout raids in 2014 on Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami-area homes and in the New york city City resort area where he was detained. They stated they additionally discovered AR-15 rifles, various other weapons and ammo at Combs’ homes.
Playing protection with prosecution witnesses
Combs is billed with racketeering conspiracy theory, 2 matters of sex trafficking– one for Cassie, one for Jane– and 2 matters of transport to take part in hooking.
His protection instance lasted every one of thirty minutes. Combs forgoed his right to affirm, as offenders frequently do, and his attorneys really did not call witnesses of their very own. Rather, they looked for to damage the integrity of his accusers via interrogation.
They confiscated on disparities in witness accounts, highlighted accusers’ readiness to proceed seeing him and cozy messages they traded with him after affirmed misuse. They additionally implicated females of attempting to profit “the #MeToo cash grab versus Sean Combs.”
Reluctant witnesses showed beneficial to the defense
It had not been all negative for Combs. Jane recognized that in spite of every little thing she withstood she still enjoys Combs. Various other prosecution witnesses bathed him with appreciation.
Kaplan stated he still sends out Combs birthday celebration introductions and welcomed him to his wedding celebration. Kaplan informed jurors he was thankful to help Combs and still has “a large amount of regard” for him.
Combs’ attorneys challenged star stylist Deonte Nash with messages he sent out sharing love for Combs. Several of them were from 2019 and 2020, 2 years after their specialist connection finished.
Missing out on items: Gina, KK and D-Roc
Originally, district attorneys constructed their instance around 4 primary witnesses: Cassie, Jane, Mia and Gina, a previous Combs partner that was described in his billing papers as “Victim-3.”
But Gina, that dated Combs from 2014 to 2019, was silently gone down from the instance and never ever affirmed. Still, she figured plainly in the test.
Cassie noted she was truly distressed when she discovered Combs was ripping off with Gina. Kaplan stated he as soon as saw Combs tossing apples at Gina.
Others from Combs’ orbit that were pointed out yet not prosecuted included his previous principal of team, a bodyguard and various other participants of his protection team.
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