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The intercourse trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs obtained underway in a Manhattan courtroom as we speak.
And as anticipated, the wild allegations started flying instantly.
In as we speak’s opening argument, prosecutors outlined their case in opposition to the disgraced music mogul, highlighting a number of the most stunning accusations from his alleged victims.
Prosecutors talk about Diddy’s relationship with Cassie in opening arguments
Not surprisingly, lots of the worst accounts stemmed from Diddy’s decade-long relationship with mannequin and R&B singer Cassie Ventura.
What began as an expert partnership between the musicians rapidly developed right into a romantic relationship in 2007. Prosecutors said that Cassie “loved” Combs and “wanted to make him happy” by collaborating in his notorious intercourse events generally known as “Freak-Offs.”
However in time, prosecutors declare, Combs started demanding an increasing number of 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 have been “choking.”
Cassie is at present eight months pregnant together with her third little one. 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, finally resulting in his arrest and imprisonment.
Footage that exhibits Diddy assaulting Cassie in a resort hall has been admitted into proof, however Diddy just isn’t being tried for the assault.
Diddy attorneys say he’s responsible of home abuse, however not intercourse trafficking
Legal professionals for the defendant concede that Diddy is undeniably responsible of home violence, however they insist that he has by no means engaged in any form of exercise that might be construed as intercourse trafficking.
“Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” lawyer Teny Geragos informed the jury.
At a pretrial listening to final month, Diddy lawyer Marc Agnifilo asserted that each one of Diddy’s sexual encounters have been consensual. Agnifilo argued that his shopper was a “swinger,” not a intercourse felony.
“There’s a lifestyle, call it swingers or whatever you will, that he thought was appropriate because it was common,” the lawyer mentioned.
“Many people think it’s appropriate because it’s common.”
Authorized specialists 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 medication 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 accessible.
