As Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial enters the third week, the first of which was focused solely on jury selection, there have been several major developments. Week two saw opening statements and multiple witnesses for the prosecution take the stand, and some horrifying and disturbing details were revealed. Meanwhile, the defense has taken an interesting approach, essentially admitting to the poor behavior and character of Combs, but claiming that those personality traits do not make him a sexual criminal.
Week 2 of Diddy Trial Brings Startling and Disturbing Details
Sean Combs always had an uphill battle to face in his sex trafficking trial, and that has become even more apparent over the last week of testimony. Diddy faces five charges, and if he is found guilty, he could face life in prison. During the jury selection phase, some of the plans the defense was considering using became public, both through questioning of the potential jurors as well as motions that were submitted. That defense has become clearer after the first week, but it is going to be hard to counter the horrifying details brought up by witnesses.
The jury was shown both videos and pictures from what has now become the infamous hotel attack that Diddy perpetrated against ex-girlfriend Cassie. In the video, the hip hop mogul is seen striking Cassie, throwing her to the ground, kicking her, and then dragging her back to the hotel room. Photos of the incident also showed damage to the hotel hallways, as well as an image of Cassie’s swollen lip. Israel Florez, a security guard at the hotel, was the first witness called by the prosecution. He stated that Combs attempted to bribe him with money to not say anything about the incident.
Cassie also appeared as a witness for the prosecution, as expected. It was her testimony against Diddy that was arguably the most disturbing statement brought to the court. According to Cassie, Combs would direct his “freak-offs”, sex events that often involved male sex workers, lubrication, and large amounts of narcotics. Cassie testified that the freak-offs, also known as hotel nights, involved 10 bottles of heated baby oil. She was required to perform sex acts with the male sex workers. These events happened weekly for about a decade. “The freak-offs became a job,” she stated. She felt required to participate for fear of videos ruining her reputation if released.
The accounts were supported by another witness called by the prosecution, Daniel Philip. Philip identified himself as a male stripper who was paid to attend Diddy’s events. He stated that he was forced to have sexual intercourse with Cassie while Combs dictated the interaction. He also claimed he saw Combs dragging Cassie by her hair, while she screamed in protest.
Singer Dawn Richard was yet another witness used to corroborate Cassie’s testimony. According to Richards, Diddy would frequently beat his ex-girlfriend. Richard was a cast member on Combs’ reality show “Making the Band”. According to AP News, “During a 2009 incident in his home, Richard said Combs tried to strike Cassie in the head with a black skillet before he put his arm around her neck and dragged her up the stairs. ‘I was scared for her and scared to do anything,’ she said. ‘I had never seen anything like that before. ‘” Richard has also sued the music mogul for abuse.
Defense Attempts to Paint a Different Picture of Diddy
The defense has a hard job attempting to counter the statements made by the witnesses for the prosecution. Instead of denying the encounters, they have instead aimed to reframe the acts themselves. One defense attorney for Diddy, Teny Geragos, essentially admitted that he has a violent temper that becomes enhanced with drugs and alcohol, which he frequently used. She also admitted he had a swinger lifestyle, with frequent changes in sexual partners.
Despite admitting these things about Diddy and his preferences, the attorney reminded jurors that there is a difference between domestic abuse and sexual preferences that fall outside the bell curve, and sex trafficking and racketeering. Geragos argued, “Sean Combs is a complicated man. But this is not a complicated case. This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity, and money.” The defense’s approach is to show jurors that, while they may not like or approve of Combs as a human, they must prove the specific crimes he is alleged to have committed, not simply that he is a violent person or cheater.
When it came to the cross-examination of Cassie, the defense attempted to paint her and Diddy’s relationship in a much more consensual light. They read texts to the jury that appeared to show Cassie excited for the freak-offs and being a clear participant who was not under duress. Cassie responded to these texts on the stand, stating, “I would say loving FOs were just words at that point.”
Diddy Trial Enters Week 3
The third week of the Diddy trial continues the week of May 19-23. During this time, Cassie is expected to give more testimony, and other key witnesses will be taking the stand for the prosecution as well. The defense is expected to continue to try to minimize the role of the defendant in threatening witnesses, and that any sexual interactions were done with full consent. The key for the defense will be to prove to the jury that there is no actual evidence of the charges for which Diddy is accused, but rather simply circumstantial statements based on how his personality is viewed by the public.
As more facts come to light and statements are made in court, continued coverage and updates of the trial will be reported.
