The tip of the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial is close to. The prosecution has rested after calling greater than 30 witnesses, together with Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. After settling a civil case along with her ex for $20M alleging bodily, psychological, and monetary abuse, she testified to her expertise in an abusive relationship punctuated by “freak-offs” or nights of sexual exercise with a sequence of intercourse employees whereas Diddy watched and masturbated.
Different prosecution witnesses, together with former staff Capricorn Clark and “Mia,” a pseudonym for a former worker, and “Jane Doe,” who additionally testified to what she known as “lodge nights” additionally with intercourse employees, offered that Combs was abusive in his intimate relationships and the office as nicely.
The protection rested its case with out calling a single witness.
Regardless of these witnesses, is it sufficient to safe a conviction? Right here’s a breakdown of the fees, witnesses, and what’s at stake for Combs and extra.
What are the fees?
Within the federal trial, Combs is dealing with one depend of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking by power, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution. If convicted, he might withstand life in jail. On Wednesday morning, prosecutors moved to drop sure prices earlier than the jury deliberates and issued additional directions.
They need to drop sure elements of the intercourse trafficking case. They may also drop any kidnapping and tried arson prices stemming from testimony from former staff, together with Clark, who alleged she was kidnapped, and from rapper Child Cudi, whose automobile was torched whereas he was relationship Ventura.
What has been most debated are the racketeering conspiracy or RICO prices, that are typically used in opposition to giant felony enterprises, i.e., the Mafia. Earlier than Combs’ case, Younger Thug is the latest instance of a rap mogul being indicted on RICO prices. It was alleged that Younger Thug, born Jeffrey Lamar Williams, was utilizing his Younger Stoner Life document label as a entrance to commit crimes, together with homicide, and co-founded Younger Slime Life, described as a “felony avenue gang.” He was indicted with 27 others within the case. In the end, he pleaded to lesser prices, was launched in 2024, and is at present beneath 15 years’ probation, which features a 20-year sentence reinstatement if he violates the phrases of his probation.
Will Combs testify?
No, Combs is not going to testify on his behalf. He instructed the choose he had “completely” mentioned it along with his legal professionals and was making his personal determination. When Choose Arun Subramanian requested Combs how he was feeling, Combs instructed him, “I’m doing nice, thanks, your honor. You’re doing a superb job.”
What prosecution witness was probably the most impactful?
It must be Ventura, as she’s probably the most public face of Combs’ abusive conduct, together with what was proven within the 2016 video obtained and shared by CNN earlier than the trial. Ventura, who had her third youngster with husband Alex High-quality two weeks after her look in courtroom, testified to having “lots of” of freak-offs with a number of intercourse employees over their 10-year relationship. The abuse allegations have been first revealed in a civil lawsuit in 2023, with Ventura offering instances, dates, and areas of most of the encounters. Throughout the trial, she additionally testified that her mom was pressured to pay Combs $20K to maintain the tapes from being revealed to the general public. The cash was later returned. “Jane Doe,” who additionally testified to being pressured into what she known as “lodge nights,” however her testimony could also be undermined when it was revealed that Combs is paying her authorized charges and her $10,000 lease. It was additionally revealed that regardless of her points with Combs, they continue to be in a relationship.
What concerning the RICO prices?
Web commenters and social media “reporters” appear divided on whether or not or not the RICO prices will stick. Nevertheless, they aren’t on the trial, watching and listening to day by day testimony in its entirety, not simply in soundbites. The jury has additionally seen the witnesses, whereas the general public has not, as no cameras are allowed within the federal courtroom. They’d have a greater deal with on who was credible, which witnesses they believed, and the legalities of the case primarily based on directions they might obtain earlier than deliberating. When you examine the RICO prices within the Younger Thug case, Williams was accused of rather more critical crimes and indicted with 27 others. Whereas witnesses have testified that Diddy’s former chief of workers, Kristina Khorrum facilitated the handoff of the lodge tape to Diddy in change for cash and made certain Diddy by no means ran out of child oil, she has denied any felony wrongdoing or information of felony wrongdoing, has not been charged and was not known as as a witness. That will undermine the conspiracy a part of the RICO case, as a conspiracy often requires co-conspirators.
When does the jury get the case and the way lengthy will it take for them to come back to a verdict?
The choose will meet with legal professionals on each side on Wednesday to go over housekeeping, together with last directions for the jury. The jury ought to get the case on Thursday. Choose Subramanian says he believes the trial will wrap up by the July 4th vacation, if not sooner. The jury stays at eight males and 4 girls after a Black male juror was dismissed, and a white male changed him. Per AP, three jurors are beneath 40 and 5 are over 60. Many of the jury have school levels, together with a scientist with a Ph.D. And 4 jurors are from Westchester County, a suburb of New York Metropolis. Westchester County contains Mt. Vernon, the place Combs grew up.
Breaking Down The Information, Expenses, Witnesses and Alleged Victims Forward Of Diddy’s Jury Deliberations
was initially revealed on
cassiuslife.com