Sean “Diddy” Combs is expected to go on trial next week in a Manhattan federal courtroom on sex crimes chargesHis ex-girlfriend, the singer Cassie Ventura, is expected to be the prosecution’s star witnessIn 2023, CNN published a video of Combs beating Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel
Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs admitted in court Friday that their client had been violent towards his ex, Cassie Ventura, but claimed violence in their relationship was mutual.
Under questioning from Judge Arun Subramanian, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said the defense plans to “take the position there was mutual violence in their relationship,” including “hitting.”
“We are absolutely going to admit to domestic violence,” Agnifilo said. “But at what point does it become coercive?”
Combs faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded guilty and denies all the accusations against him. His criminal trial began with jury selection on Monday, May 5, and opening statements are expected to begin May 12.
Ventura is expected to be the prosecution’s star witness. Accusations of violence against Combs burst into public view in 2023, when CNN published a video of him beating Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel.
Ventura filed a civil suit against Combs in New York in 2023, accusing him of sexual assault, rape and physical violence. It was settled the following day. Ventura’s suit was followed by a wave of dozens of civil suits similarly accusing Combs of sexual violence, as well as the Sept. 2024 criminal indictment filed by the Justice Department.
The 2024 indictment against Combs accuses him of using his music empire to manipulate and lure women with promises of romance and then force them, using threats and coercion, to participate in highly orchestrated sex-acts at so-called “Freak Off” parties, which sometimes lasted several days.
During the “Freak Off” parties, the indictment alleges that Combs used a variety of controlled substances to keep his victims obedient and compliant, sometimes unknown to the victims. The indictment named Combs the ringleader of the alleged violent enterprise which is tied to several accusations of suspected kidnapping, arson, drug crimes and widespread sexual abuse.
Final jury selections are expected to be made in Combs’ criminal trial as opening statements begin next week. The jury pool was narrowed down to 45 candidates over the course of three days of intense questioning from the prosecution, defense and Judge Arun Subramanian.
On May 7, six women and five men were given the green light after the attorneys and judge interviewed 22 candidates.
Prospective jurors were asked if they were familiar with celebrities like, Kanye West, Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers and Kid Cudi, though they are not set to be called to testify.
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Combs, who previously operated an iconic global music empire, now sits in custody at the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center with greying hair. Combs could face up to life in prison if convicted.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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