The ju judges began deliberations on the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking case on Monday, considering charges that could put the hip-hop mogul in prison for his lifetime.
Judge Arun Subramanian began reading legal instructions to eight men and four female ju apprentices Monday morning. They then sift through seven-week graphics and emotional testimonies about rap, fashion and reality television imprezario’s tendency towards violence and his sexual bias, including a drug-fueled sex marathon called “freak-off” and “hotel nights.”
Combs, 55, admits that he has not committed any charges of two sex trafficking federal charges related to two girlfriends, and two transport charges to engage in prostitution to fly sex workers across state lines.
In the final discussion last week, federal prosecutors and Combs’ defense team took the final shot by persuading a ju-degree convicted or acquitted the founder of Grammy-winning Bad Boy Records.
“The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Slavik. “He thought that his fame, his wealth and his power would put him on the law.”
She said he “used a close inner circle and a small army of individual staff. They met with all the desires of the defendants, promoted his power and at every cost to protect his reputation.”
Defence counsel Mark Agnifilo retorted, “This is not about crime, it’s about money.” He said one of the accusers of the Comb in the criminal case sued him in civil court.
“He’s not an assaulter. He’s not a conspiracy to commit an assault. He’s not one of these things. He’s innocent. He’s sitting there. I’ll return him to his family, who was waiting for him.”
In all, 34 witnesses testified, and found “Jane,” where Combs’ ex-girlfriends Cassie (R&B Singer Born Casandra Ventura) and “Jane” testified under the pseudonym. Both women said he was often violent towards them. Cathy said Jane forced her into hundreds of sexual encounters with paid male sex workers while she spoke of many “hotel nights.”
The ju umpire also watched a now-hearted security camera video that beat, kicked, dragged, and be hit, kicked, and dragged clips of a sexual encounter video in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
Comb chose not to testify, and his lawyers did not call witnesses in their defense cases. Instead, his lawyer was selected to challenge the credibility of the accuser during a lengthy cross-examination question.
The defense acknowledges Combs’ violence, but his lawyers claim that sexual acts are agreed. They argue that the prosecutor has invaded Combs’s private life and that he has done nothing to justify the charges against him.
Here’s what you need to know about the incident:
How much does it cost?
The three-time Grammy Award winner pleaded not guilty to five felony charges. Two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. and two transports to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors say that the comb was forced into an abusive sex party that included a male sex worker hired to ensure compliance with drugs such as cocaine and career threats, and silence the victim through horror mail and violence, including lure, arson and assault.
“He’s a leader in a criminal enterprise. He doesn’t say no to the answer,” U.S. Attorney Assistant Secretary Christie Slavik said in her final discussion Thursday.
Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo portrayed the founder of Bad Boys Records as the victim of avid prosecutors who exaggerated elements of his lifestyle and recreational drug use to bring about accusations called “fake trials.”
After 29 days and 34 witnesses, both sides are in the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Shaun “Diddy” Comb. NBC New York’s Erica Byfield Report.
Important evidence
Early in the trial, prosecutors showed ju-jung 2016 security video that he be-hit and kicked his ex-longed girlfriend Cathy at a hotel in Los Angeles. Cassie, the R&B singer, Cassie, who is Casandra Ventura, testified that the attack occurred while she was about to leave one of her sexual encounters.
The ju umpire saw numerous explicit clips of such encounters. Some involve girlfriends such as Cathy after being identified only by the pseudonym “Jane.”
Both women stood up.
Cathy testified over four days that she attended hundreds of events with paid sex workers during her relationship between 2007 and 2018. She sued the comb in 2023, alleging long-standing abuse. He settled within hours, followed by dozens of similar lawsuits.
Jane testified over six days that she was romantically involved with combs from 2021 until her arrest in September at a hotel in New York.
The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they are victims of sexual abuse unless they move forward publicly, as Cathy did.
Testimony also included time for text messages exchanges. Some of it involved combs and others on his orbit, and was read aloud by Homeland Security Investigation Agents.
Overall, 34 people stood up, all of whom were called by the prosecutors.
The comb did not testify.
How does ju-search deliberation work?
Judge Arun Subramanian gives directions to the ju judges on Monday and will then send them out for deliberation within Manhattan federal court.
The 8 men and four female ju-degrees must unanimously determine guilty or innocence for each count.
This means that all 12 ju apprentices must agree. If the ju apprentices didn’t reach an agreement, they could come back and say they were stuck.
Traditionally, judges encouraged them to continue deliberation, but if they are unable to reach a consensus, it is up to the judge to decide whether to declare fraud.
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