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The sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs obtained underway in a Manhattan courtroom immediately.
And as anticipated, the wild allegations started flying instantly.
In immediately’s opening argument, prosecutors outlined their case in opposition to the disgraced music mogul, highlighting a few of the most stunning accusations from his alleged victims.
Prosecutors talk about Diddy’s relationship with Cassie in opening arguments
Not surprisingly, most of the worst accounts stemmed from Diddy’s decade-long relationship with mannequin and R&B singer Cassie Ventura.
What began as knowledgeable partnership between the musicians shortly advanced right into a romantic relationship in 2007. Prosecutors acknowledged that Cassie “beloved” Combs and “needed to make him comfortable” by taking part in his notorious intercourse events referred to as “Freak-Offs.”
However in time, prosecutors declare, Combs started demanding increasingly more of Ventura, assaulting her if she took too lengthy within the rest room or tried to depart the events early.
At one level, Diddy allegedly instructed a male prostitute to “urinate in” Cassie’s mouth, an act that made her really feel as if she had been “choking.”
Cassie is currently eight months pregnant together with her third youngster. She’s one in every of greater than 20 witnesses prosecutors intend to name to the stand, and he or she’s anticipated to testify as early as Tuesday.
Cassie’s 2023 lawsuit in opposition to Diddy opened the door for extra accusers to come back ahead, ultimately resulting in his arrest and imprisonment.
Footage that exhibits Diddy assaulting Cassie in a resort hall has been admitted into proof, however Diddy will not be being tried for the assault.
Diddy attorneys say he’s responsible of home abuse, however not intercourse trafficking
Attorneys for the defendant concede that Diddy is undeniably responsible of home violence, however they insist that he has by no means engaged in any type of exercise that may very well be construed as intercourse trafficking.
“Home violence will not be intercourse trafficking,” legal professional Teny Geragos advised the jury.
At a pretrial listening to final month, Diddy lawyer Marc Agnifilo asserted that every one of Diddy’s sexual encounters had been consensual. Agnifilo argued that his shopper was a “swinger,” not a intercourse felony.
“There’s a life-style, name it swingers or no matter you’ll, that he thought was acceptable as a result of it was frequent,” the legal professional stated.
“Many individuals assume it’s acceptable as a result of it’s frequent.”
Authorized consultants count on Diddy’s attorneys to insist that his actions — whereas morally reprehensible — weren’t unlawful.
They’re additionally anticipated to argue that Diddy was so incapacitated by drugs and alcohol that he couldn’t have dedicated the crimes of which he’s accused.
We’ll have additional updates on this growing story as new data turns into obtainable.
