Court choice begins Monday in the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, starting the very first court examination of whether among hip-hop’s crucial numbers utilized power and wide range collected in the songs, garments and spirits markets to sexually abuse, persuade and make use of declared targets for years.
Understood by numerous names via the years– Puffy, Smoke Dad, P. Diddy, Diddy and Love– Combs ended up being a rap impresario in the 1990s, releasing the occupations of Mary J. Blige, Usher and the Well-known B.I.G. and offering his hip-hop qualifications to the tracks of Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez.
Combs, that as soon as announced himself “Poor Kid forever,” currently encounters what can total up to a life sentence if founded guilty. Federal district attorneys in New york city affirm he “over used, endangered and pushed ladies” right into extended, drug-fueled sex-related orgies with male woman of the streets he called “fanatic offs” and endangered them right into silence.
Sean “Diddy” Combs rests with lawyer Teny Geragos throughout a hearing in advance of his test on sex trafficking fees at united state government court in New york city City, Might 1, 2025, in this court illustration.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
” After Fanatic Offs, Combs and the targets generally obtained IV liquids to recuperate from the physical effort and substance abuse,” the charge claimed.
He has actually begged blameless to racketeering conspiracy theory, sex trafficking and transport to take part in hooking fees– 5 matters in all. His defense lawyer have actually claimed every one of his sex-related experiences were consensual and have actually explained Combs as a swinger that welcomed 3rd parties right into his bed room.
At a hearing last month, Agnifilo appeared to sneak peek the protection method, informing the court, “There’s a way of life, call it swingers, that he remained in that he believed was ideal. The factor he believed it was ideal is due to the fact that it’s so typical.”
By coincidence, court choice starts the very same day as the Met Gala, where Combs was as soon as a component.
Prospective jurors started responding to composed concerns recently to examine what they might have become aware of the situation, whether they can be reasonable and whether they can withstand a two-month test anticipated to include raunchy proof.
Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean “Diddy” Combs show up at the best of “Can not Quit, Will Not Quit: A Negative Kid Tale” on June 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, DOCUMENTS
The proof consists of a monitoring tape, very first program by CNN in May 2024, that reveals Combs striking, kicking and dragging then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles resort in March 2016. Ventura’s civil legal action, cleared up a day after it was submitted in 2023 without admission of misdeed, offered district attorneys with a basis to start the criminal examination that brought about Combs’ apprehension in September 2024.
Combs excused the video clip at the time, claiming, “I strike rock base– however I make no reasons. My habits on that particular video clip is untenable. I take complete obligation for my activities because video clip.”
Ventura is an awaited witness, together with 3 various other as-yet-unidentified declared targets, 2 of whom were permitted to indicate under pseudonyms.
District attorneys are additionally anticipated to present products confiscated when government representatives from Homeland Safety Investigations robbed Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami, consisting of greater than a loads digital tools and AR-15-style rifles with ruined identification numbers.
Days prior to test, government district attorneys supplied Combs a possibility to beg guilty and extra himself the opportunity of an extended jail sentence. Asked if he turned down the deal, Combs responded to, “Yes I do your honor.”
He has actually shown up in court putting on dull off-white prison clothes however the court will certainly see him in common gown garments. Participants of his household, including his mommy, are anticipated to participate in.
Producer-musician Sean “Diddy” Combs postures with the Worldwide Symbol honor in journalism space throughout the MTV Video Clip Songs Honors at the Prudential Facility in Newark, N.J., on Sept. 12, 2023.
Angela Weiss/AFP by means of Getty Images, DOCUMENTS
His protection group consists of Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos. They stood for NXIVM owner Keith Raniere that was founded guilty of racketeering conspiracy theory and sex trafficking, the very same fees Combs deals with.
The protection group additionally consists of Brian Steel, that stood for rap artist Young Punk at a racketeering test in Atlanta, and Alexandra Shapiro, a leading appellate litigator that additionally stands for Sam Bankman-Fried.
The all-female prosecution group consists of Maureen Comey, that effectively prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking, and Emily Johnson, Mitzi Steiner and Madison Smyser, that have actually prosecuted terrible criminal offense, and gang district attorney Christy Slavik.
