How is Diddy’s Protection Doing Throughout Trial? The Professionals and Cons

Within the federal trial for intercourse trafficking and racketeering costs, prosecutors introduced over 30 witnesses, dozens of damning movies and images as proof to assist their argument that the Dangerous Boy CEO is a bigger than life superstar who abused his energy to bend individuals to his will and fall obedient to his sexual cravings. In the meantime, the protection argued Combs’ poisonous relationships, drug abuse and violent tendencies don’t compute to working a felony enterprise.

Let’s take a deep dive collectively analyzing the case and the way properly the state made their case…

Meet The Fees

Combs was formally indicted on a number of intercourse crime associated costs. Combs was smacked with racketeering conspiracy which, by New York state regulation, is outlined as an individual partaking in “a sample of felony exercise with intent to take part in or advance the affairs of the felony enterprise.” Stated felony exercise additionally contains Combs’ different cost of intercourse trafficking which is when an individual deliberately earnings from prostitution by requiring that prostitution be carried out to retire, repay or service debt, per state regulation.

Lastly, Combs faces counts of interstate transportation to interact in prostitution which is outlined below the Mann Act which makes it a federal crime to move individuals throughout state strains for the aim of unlawful sexual exercise. Prosecutors had been tasked with the burden of proof to persuade a jury that Combs, past an affordable doubt, carried out these crimes.

Prosecutors Set The Scene

Prosecutors argue Combs used his “interior circle” of employees members to assist him commit crimes together with alleged intercourse abuse dedicated in opposition to exes Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and “Jane” in addition to former assistant “Mia.” The state’s attorneys claimed the employees labored to advertise Combs’ energy and guard his fame. The prosecutors additionally said the rapper’s crew helped perform his twisted sexual wishes which resulted in Combs utilizing blackmail and different intimidation ways to bend the ladies to his will.

Protection Bites Again

The protection attorneys made an important level to the jury countering the prosecution’s claims: Combs is being charged with working felony enterprise and intercourse trafficking, not home abuse. Whereas the overwhelming proof of the rapper’s violence could impression the minds of a juror, the protection did outline the distinction between a jealous, drug abusing boyfriend and a felony mastermind.

Combs’ attorneys painted him as a sophisticated individual, arguing the case is being constructed on his troubles in relationships and sexual preferences. 

Cassie’s Bombshell Testimony

Singer Cassie Ventura gave a heartbreaking testimony of her poisonous, decade-long relationship with Combs. She defined dozens of cases the place Combs exerted his management of her via violent, bodily abuse. Ventura stated these cases would depart her with seen bruises, forcing her into isolation to guard Combs’ picture.

She additionally defined to a disturbing diploma the freak-offs she was anticipated to participated in at Combs’ pleasure. She stated he ordered her to rent male escorts to fulfill them in a resort room the place she can be ordered by Combs to have intercourse with them whereas he watched and masturbated. A few of these occasions had been recorded by the rapper. Ventura stated she felt “disgusting” and “humiliating” afterwards however prevented telling the rapper no in worry of retaliation.

Did Everybody Witness Diddy’s Abuse?

Throughout testimonies from quite a lot of individuals together with Dangerous Boy protégé Daybreak Richard and Ventura’s former greatest good friend Kerry Morgan, witnesses said they noticed firsthand Combs’ abuse towards Ventura. Oftentimes, in the event that they ever sought assist from Combs’ safety guards or assistants, they stated no motion was taken and the police weren’t known as. This element additional supported the prosecution’s concept concerning the rapper’s employees being an “enterprise” to cowl up his alleged actions.

Jane’s Coronary heart-Tugging Testimony

Combs’ ex-girlfriend who testified below the pseudonym “Jane” gave an almost equivalent testimony on her expertise relationship Combs as Ventura. She stated she was usually flown out to completely different areas for the aim of freak offs which she known as “resort nights.” Jane recalled these sexual occasions virtually taking on her life as she was continuously in command of speaking with escorts and maintaining with the strain of performing to Combs’ liking.

Jane stated she additionally skilled bodily abuse as part of her relationship with Combs however not as typically as Ventura skilled it. Jane’s reasoning for staying with Combs regardless of the turmoil was real love, she testified. Though, when she did air her grievances concerning the freak offs, she claimed Combs would threaten her. Jane was additionally afraid of getting on Combs’ unhealthy aspect given he paid her lease.

Freak Off Particulars

There have been a number of widespread threads between the accounts of the freak-off intercourse occasions Combs would host. The rapper himself or his private assistants would e book resort rooms below an alias. Testimonies revealed Combs would order the ladies taking part to seek out the male escorts themselves in addition to sustain communication with them in alternate for nude images. Combs would then order the escort and the ladies to have intercourse a sure means and typically position play scenes.

The Ugly Facet of Freak Offs

Lodge rooms had been stocked with medication, alcohol, child oil and lubricants, the assistant’s testified. Nevertheless, each Jane and Ventura recalled cases of getting to ask for the usage of safety which Combs was not a fan of. Each ladies recalled these intercourse occasions to be days lengthy at instances, leading to sleep deprivation and even UTI’s – which stated they had been nonetheless anticipated to carry out via. Ventura said she must come down from the quantity of medication she took by an IV drip.

About The Escorts

Three male escorts testified on their experiences within the freak-offs. The constant story between testimonies was that they had been paid hundreds of {dollars} each earlier than and after performing in freak offs. Combs typically tried to maintain his identification hidden till the escorts in the end discovered who he was by his voice and different hints, per their testimony.

Blurred Strains of Consent

One other factor Combs’ attorneys did proper was solid doubt on Ventura’s bombshell testimony. To prosecutors, he felt participating in Combs’ freak-off intercourse fantasies. Nevertheless, protection attorneys constantly had her verify the instances she willingly participated within the occasions, blurring the road of when consent was withdrawn.

Pulling up textual content messages of her expressing pleasure for the freak-offs in addition to admitting on the stand that part-took as a result of she cherished Combs is all info a juror will use to determine if these occasions qualify as a criminal offense.

Child Cudi’s Explosive Testimony

The rapper took the stand to testify to his automobile explosion from 2012. Cudi stated Ventura was on a break from relationship Combs when he obtained in a relationship with the singer. Nevertheless, as soon as Combs discovered about their relationship, Cudi claimed the rapper broke into his dwelling with the help of two employees members, one who was an assistant and claimed she was kidnapped.

The next month, Cudi stated his canine watcher known as him to let him know his automobile was on fireplace. Cudi stated it seemed to be “the harm of the Molotov cocktail in his Porsche.” Nevertheless, the DNA proof from the scene matched to a lady and never a person. Cudi stated when he confronted Combs concerning the scenario afterwards, the rapper acted like he did not know what he was speaking about.

Scary Accounts from Private Assistants

A lady who testified below the alias “Mia” instructed the jury she was sexually assaulted a number of instances by Combs and in addition pressured to carry out oral intercourse on him. She described herself as “brainwashed” as to why she determined to proceed working for him.

Different assistants, primarily males, testified to their expertise working limitless hours for Combs, establishing freak off rooms and witnessing Combs’ abuse towards Ventura. Every assistant was additionally in command of fetching medication for the rapper, which might be why they had been granted immunity for testifying in opposition to him.

These testimonies gave perception to Combs’ operations, some being random acts of violence in opposition to rivals and ex-girlfriends or weird energy journeys like forcing them to bear lie detector assessments and making threats over one thing he did not like.

Damning Proof

Sure, we noticed photographs of Combs’ in depth child oil assortment from inside his resort rooms to the within of his mansions. Nevertheless, essentially the most compelling proof introduced forth by the Feds had been the firearms confiscated from Combs’ properties which had been allegedly used to threaten and intimidate his rivals. Additionally submitted had been horrifying footage of Ventura’s bruises, typically open and bloodied.

Lastly, as a lot anticipated, the protection submitted audio and video proof of Combs’ interactions along with his ex-girlfriends starting from arguments to full fledged freak off scenes. Experiences famous some jurors rising visibly uncomfortable from the footage, some snatching their headphones off and different wincing. Any cheap individual can be uncomfortable with such graphic content material however the jurors’ reactions recommend the prosecutors gained with making an attempt to persuade them the ladies had been coerced into the sexual acts.

Movement for Mistrial

Attorneys for Combs filed a movement requesting a mistrial primarily based on “prosecutorial misconduct.” They argued that the prosecutors tried to confess a perjured testimony from Bryana Bongolan, who testified that the rapper dangled her over a Seventeenth-story balcony in a random match of rage.

The protection stated Ventura’s declare that she noticed the incident herself was false, citing textual content proof the place the pop singer says she “discovered” concerning the incident, suggesting she truly wasn’t there. They said Bongolan’s claims “make no sense and appear to be bodily unattainable,” citing proof that proves Combs was not even on the identical coast as Bongolan across the time of the alleged incident.

Decide Arun Subramanian was not satisfied and dismissed the movement.

Sharp Cross Examination

Total, the protection has been sharp in evaluating witness testimonies to statements given previous to the Feds, difficult particulars and reminiscence. For instance, former Danity Kane member Daybreak Richard was clocked by Combs’ attorneys for not telling prosecutors a couple of dying menace she stated she acquired from Combs previous to taking the stand. Attacking witness credibility is a typical default protection technique.

Additionally they submitted a string of textual content messages from witnesses exhibiting the moments they seemed to be prepared individuals in Combs’ shenanigans or confirmed general care and concern for him regardless of the monstrous claims of his abuse.

Protection’s Weak point

For starter’s, they freely admitted that their consumer is responsible of home violence. What sort of impression does that give to a jury?

Secondly, the protection requested many inquiries to witnesses pertaining particulars of their story that don’t essentially change the general conclusion that Combs appeared to have violent tendencies – similar to making an attempt to shine a light-weight on Ventura’s jealousy of the rapper relationship different ladies or asking an ex-assistant to substantiate that he preferred his job regardless of leaving after witnessing Combs’ alleged violence.

Additionally they did not seem to handle the shortage of motion from Combs’ employees however fairly tried to divert the eye on the alleged sufferer and their energy to flee a scenario or relationship with Combs.

Enterprise Claims

Prosecutors have been constructing the narrative via witness testimony, monetary statements and journey information that Combs has an enterprise of people that had been complicit in his alleged crimes. The state’s attorneys additionally submitted textual content messages suggesting the rapper transported escorts throughout state strains and expressed disgust or disapproval each time ladies denied desirous to take part in freak offs.

Each items of proof gas the prosecution’s argument that the alleged victims had been coerced into sexual acts and that Combs dedicated interstate transportation for prostitution. The prosecution closed with a great deal of textual content messages assist this argument.

Protection’s 30-Minute Presentation

It is not a international idea for the protection to maintain their presentation quick and candy by using the proof and witnesses introduced by the prosecutors as a solution to make their case. Nevertheless, the protection solely used half-hour to current their case.

No witnesses had been known as and Combs confirmed that he determined not to testify on his personal behalf. As a substitute, they submitted a number of displays and prerequisites, stating inconsistencies in witness statements. The protection additionally filed a Rule 29 movement, arguing the prosecution failed to fulfill their burden of proof and requesting their consumer be acquitted on all costs.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday, June 26. Then, the jury goes to deliberation.