Intercourse-trafficking trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs enters sixth week | Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs

The high-profile federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is getting into its sixth week in federal court docket in Manhattan on Monday as the federal government continues presenting its case towards the 55-year-old music mogul.

Combs, who was arrested in September, faces prices of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution. He has pleaded not responsible.

Because the trial started on 12 Might, greater than 18 witnesses have testified earlier than a jury of eight males and 4 girls.

Prosecutors allege that since no less than 2004, Combs ran a legal enterprise that engaged in or tried to have interaction in intercourse trafficking, kidnapping, compelled labor, arson, bribery, enticement to have interaction in prostitution and obstruction of justice.

The federal government claims he used violence, threats, cash, medication and energy to abuse and coerce girls into taking part in drug-fueled intercourse marathons with male escorts, often known as “freak-offs”, and that his staff helped conceal his actions and shield his fame.

Combs’s attorneys have acknowledged previous incidents of home violence however deny allegations of intercourse trafficking or coercion, asserting that each one sexual encounters had been consensual and a part of a “swingers way of life”.

The prosecution’s case has been anchored by testimony from two of Combs’s former girlfriends: singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a lady recognized as “Jane”.

Ventura, who dated Combs on and off from 2007 to 2018, testified for 4 days within the first week, describing a relationship marked by bodily and emotional abuse.

She stated she was coerced and blackmailed into taking part within the “freak-offs”, which she stated Combs directed, watched, masturbated to and generally filmed.

She shared graphic particulars concerning the encounters, which might final days, and stated she used medication he offered to “dissociate” through the encounters and described feeling “nugatory”.

Ventura stated Combs managed most elements of her life, together with her profession and housing, and that he was ceaselessly violent along with her. Jurors had been proven the 2016 surveillance footage of Combs attacking Ventura in a resort hallway.

Ventura additionally claimed that Combs would threaten to launch movies of her from the “freak-offs” and alleged he raped her after their 2018 breakup.

“Jane”, who dated Combs from 2021 till his 2024 arrest, testified in weeks 4 and 5. A lot of her testimony echoed Ventura’s, as she described frequent “freak-offs”, or “resort nights” which she stated was pressured to take part in.

Jane stated she initially participated to please Combs, however later felt “obligated” to after he started paying her hire in 2023. She feared she’d lose her house, the place she lived along with her son, if she refused.

She stated she repeatedly instructed Combs she now not wished to take part, however that he was dismissive. She additionally described a violent altercation between her and Combs in 2024 that left her with a black eye.

Below cross-examination, Combs’s attorneys portrayed Jane, as they did with Ventura, as a consenting participant, citing texts through which Jane appeared to talk positively concerning the encounters, and famous that she generally organized the encounters herself. Jane testified that she did so to retain some management over who was concerned.

On the stand, Jane stated Combs nonetheless pays her hire and authorized charges, and admitted she nonetheless cherished him.

One other lady, a former private assistant of Combs’s recognized as “Mia”, testified that Combs bodily and sexually assaulted her a number of instances throughout her employment. She stated she felt “trapped” and feared retaliation.

Protection attorneys advised she fabricated the allegations, highlighting social media posts and messages from after the alleged assaults through which Mia praised Combs, calling him a “mentor” and an “inspiration”.

Rapper Scott Mescudi, often known as Child Cudi, who briefly dated Ventura in 2011, testified in week two that Combs broke into his house after discovering the connection. Weeks later, Mescudi’s automotive was firebombed, which Mescudi believes was Combs – an allegation Combs and his attorneys deny.

Capricorn Clark, a former worker of Combs’s, testified that on the morning of the alleged break-in at Mescudi’s house, Combs “kidnapped” her whereas holding a gun and compelled her to accompany him to the home. She stated that Combs instructed her he was going “to kill” Mescudi.

Clark additionally stated Combs threatened her, subjected her to lie detector assessments, and as soon as pushed her throughout her employment.

Protection attorneys disputed Clark’s kidnapping declare, noting that, through the years, Clark has returned to work for Combs a number of instances.

Ventura’s mom, Regina Ventura, testified that her daughter instructed her in 2011 that Combs threatened to launch specific movies after discovering her relationship with Mescudi. Regina stated Combs demanded $20,000, prompting her and her husband to take out a home-equity mortgage to pay him. She stated the cash was returned a number of days later.

A number of witnesses, together with singer Daybreak Richard, stated they witnessed controlling and violent conduct by Combs in the direction of Ventura. A star stylist testified that he heard Combs threaten to withhold Ventura’s music and launch specific movies if she defied him.

Ventura’s former finest pal, Kerry Morgan, alleged Combs hit her with a hanger and choked her in 2018. One other pal, Bryana Bongolan, alleged Combs dangled her from a Seventeenth-floor balcony in Los Angeles in September 2016.

Two former assistants described stocking Combs’s resort rooms with child oil, lubricant and condoms. One stated he cleaned the rooms afterwards and that “defending” Combs’s public picture was “crucial”. The opposite claimed Combs as soon as introduced three weapons to a possible confrontation with a rival rap government.

Two males who had been paid to take part within the “freak-offs” additionally testified. Further witnesses have included varied resort staff, legislation enforcement officers, homeland safety brokers, a psychologist, a make-up artist and different former staff of Combs.

All through the trial, Combs has been seen whispering to his attorneys and reacting visibly to testimony. The choose lately warned that Combs may very well be faraway from the courtroom for taking a look at and “nodding vigorously” on the jury throughout testimony.

Protection attorneys have filed two motions for mistrial. Each had been denied.

Combs’s mates, mom and several other of his kids have attended court docket often. Rapper Kanye West, who goes by Ye, briefly entered the courthouse on Friday to help Combs, however left after 40 minutes after he was reportedly directed to the overflow room.

Outdoors the courthouse, press, content material creators, followers and spectators line up every day to achieve entry to the courtroom. The proceedings will not be televised as a consequence of federal court docket guidelines.

Prosecutors could relaxation their case this week, with the protection anticipated to start shortly after. The trial is predicted to proceed for a number of extra weeks. If convicted, Combs faces as much as life in jail.