NEW YORK — The R&B singer Cassie may testify as quickly as Tuesday in Sean “Diddy” Combs intercourse trafficking trial, because the Unhealthy Boy Data founder faces prices that he orchestrated a deviant empire of exploitation that compelled girls into drugged-up intercourse events referred to as “freak-offs.”
Testimony within the trial started Monday. Prosecutors informed jurors that, for years, Combs used his standing as a strong government to coerce girls into abusive sexual encounters and have become violent in the event that they refused.
Attorneys for three-time Grammy winner argue that, although he might be violent, Combs by no means veered into intercourse trafficking and racketeering, telling jurors the sexual acts have been consensual. Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible.
Sean Diddy Combs listens throughout opening statements on the primary day of trial in Manhattan federal courtroom, Monday, Could 12, 2025, in New York.
Elizabeth Williams by way of AP
Cassie, whose authorized title is Casandra Ventura, has been on the heart of Combs’ beautiful downfall. She sued him in 2023 alleging years of abuse. A surveillance video made public final 12 months confirmed Combs beating her at a Los Angeles lodge in 2016. CNN aired the video final 12 months, main Combs to apologize.
The video, which was performed for jurors, reveals Combs carrying solely a white towel, punching, kicking and dragging Cassie in a lodge hallway.
Israel Florez, a former safety officer on the lodge, testified Monday that he got here throughout Combs whereas responding to a name a couple of lady in misery, and located Combs sitting in a chair with “a devilish stare.” Florez stated Combs supplied him a stack of cash and stated “Do not inform no one.”
Florez stated he refused the money and informed Combs, “I do not need your cash. Simply return into your room.”
Assistant U.S. Legal professional Emily Johnson stated Combs beat Cassie usually and with little provocation and threatened to damage her music profession by releasing movies of her participating in sexual acts with male escorts throughout encounters he organized.
Johnson stated Combs sexually exploited and beat different girls, together with a girl recognized solely as Jane, who Combs is accused of attacking after she confronted him concerning the “freak-offs.”
Cassie’s lawsuit in opposition to Combs was settled inside hours nevertheless it was adopted by dozens of comparable authorized claims and touched off a felony investigation.
An legal professional for Combs, Teny Geragos, informed the jury Combs’ accusers have been after his cash, including that jurors would possibly suppose he is a “jerk” and may not condone his “kinky intercourse,” however that “he is not charged with being a jerk.”
The Related Press does not typically establish individuals who say they’re victims of sexual abuse until they arrive ahead publicly, as Cassie has accomplished.
Combs has been jailed in Brooklyn since his arrest in September. If convicted, he may get a minimum of 15 years and as much as life in jail.
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