The prosecutor who did closing arguments for the notorious R. Kelly trial has weighed in on the continuing federal intercourse crime case towards Sean “Diddy” Combs. The rapper’s attorneys argue that he could also be responsible of home violence however positively not intercourse trafficking. However verify this, the prosecutor from the R. Kelly case says Combs’ alleged trafficking offenses are precisely what the R&B singer obtained locked up for.
Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura took the stand, testifying for 4 days in regards to the bodily abuse she allegedly sustained from Comb in addition to the sexual abuse from being coerced into taking part in days-long intercourse periods. Combs’ attorneys declare she was a keen participant, not exhibiting a lot refusal to observe Combs’ orders. Nevertheless, former assistant U.S. lawyer Elizabeth Geddes says intercourse traffickers use each bodily and psychological abuse to make their victims undergo their authority.
In an op-ed printed to Rolling Stone, Geddes defined that this manipulation tactic can go for months or years. In consequence, victims know the results of refusing their abusers’ orders and observe their calls for, even when it means submitting themselves to dehumanizing experiences, Geddes wrote.
“I noticed this once I was a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn and prosecuted R&B musician R. Kelly for coercing ladies and women to carry out sexual companies for his personal gratification. Combs’ alleged habits additionally matches this script,” Geddes wrote in Rolling Stone.
R. Kelly was discovered responsible on racketeering and federal intercourse crime prices within the sexual abuse of a number of ladies who, some who had been underaged on the time of the abuse.
To additional her level, Geddes then used an instance from Ventura’s testimony when the singer cited an incident when Combs was upset together with her after accusing her of taking medicine from him and compelled her to go away the yacht they had been staying on. Ventura mentioned at a film premiere later, the rapper squeezed her thigh so arduous, she felt the beads from her gown press into her pores and skin. When the 2 flew again to New York, Ventura mentioned Combs performed certainly one of her freak-off movies in entrance of the opposite non-public flying passengers and threatened to launch them. He then instructed her he wished one other freak-off after they landed to which she complied.
“If the jury credit Ventura, it’s hardly a leap for the jury to conclude that she acquiesced as a result of she understood Combs’ deliberate, loud and clear message: Give me what I would like, or you’ll face severe hurt. That’s how a sample of abuse breaks a sufferer’s will. That’s coercion. That’s intercourse trafficking,” Geddes wrote.
Prosecutors making an attempt Combs’ case instructed the jury throughout opening arguments that witness testimony and proof will present the rapper used his “internal circle” of associates to assist promote his energy and guard his status whereas he allegedly dedicated these intercourse crimes.
Combs is going through a number of counts of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking and interesting in interstate transportation for prostitution. His indictment cites three nameless victims along with Ventura. He has pleaded not responsible, and was denied bail.