For seven weeks, a jury in Manhattan has listened as prosecutors laid out a legal intercourse trafficking and racketeering case in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs. They heard his ex-girlfriends and different witnesses ship bombshell accounts of violence and drug-fueled sexual marathons. The jury is about to start deliberations on Monday (June 30).
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In the end, they have to resolve whether or not Combs was operating a legal enterprise, as the federal government says, or residing a swinger way of life, per his protection. His lawyer insists that the life-style included leisure drug use and, regrettably, home violence. The reply will decide the way forward for one of many largest music moguls and cultural figures of the previous 4 a long time.
If convicted, Combs, 55, would face 15 years to life in jail. Right here’s what to learn about Diddy’s case forward of jury deliberations.
What Costs Are The Jury Weighing In opposition to Diddy?
The three-time Grammy Award winner has pleaded not responsible to 5 felony fees. They embody: one rely of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of intercourse trafficking by drive, fraud, or coercion; and two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
Prosecutors say Combs coerced girls into abusive intercourse events involving employed male intercourse employees. They alleged he ensured their compliance with medication like cocaine and threats to their careers. He additionally, per the federal government, silenced victims by way of blackmail and violence that included kidnapping, arson, and beatings.
“He’s the chief of a legal enterprise. He doesn’t take no for a solution,” Assistant U.S. Lawyer Christy Slavik stated in her closing arguments on Thursday.
In the meantime, Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, portrayed the Dangerous Boys Data founder because the sufferer of overzealous prosecutors. The protection legal professional stated the federal government exaggerated components of Diddy’s way of life and leisure drug use to carry fees that resulted in what he referred to as a “faux trial.”
What Is Racketeering?
Probably the most severe cost, racketeering conspiracy, alleges that Combs ran a legal enterprise for twenty years. He allegedly relied on bodyguards, family employees, private assistants, and others in his orbit to facilitate and canopy up crimes. Federal prosecutors introduced the cost beneath the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. Congress handed the federal legislation in 1970 with the declared goal of concentrating on organized crime, however its use has been extra widespread.
To show the cost, prosecutors should present that an enterprise existed and was concerned in a sample of racketeering exercise. On this case, that alleged exercise contains kidnapping, arson, bribery, and intercourse trafficking.
Key Items Of Proof For Diddy’s Jury To Contemplate
Early within the trial, prosecutors confirmed jurors the 2016 safety video of Sean Combs beating and kicking his former longtime girlfriend, Cassie, at a Los Angeles resort. The R&B singer testified that the assault occurred as she was attempting to go away one of many sexual encounters. Witnesses say Combs referred to the acts as “freak-offs” or “resort nights.” Jurors noticed quite a few specific clips of such encounters, some involving Cassie and others involving a later girlfriend. She later testified beneath the pseudonym “Jane.”
Each exes took the stand. Cassie testified over 4 days that she participated in a whole lot of freak-offs with paid intercourse employees whereas she and Combs have been in a relationship from 2007 till 2018. She stated she usually felt like she didn’t have a selection. She sued Combs in 2023, alleging years of abuse. He settled for $20 million inside hours, and dozens of comparable lawsuits adopted. Many are nonetheless pending.
In the meantime, Jane testified over six days that she was romantically concerned with Combs from 2021 till his September arrest at a New York resort. She, too, felt compelled to have intercourse with the employed strangers in multiday intercourse marathons whereas Combs watched.
Moreover, testimony additionally included hours of textual content message exchanges. A few of these texts, which a Homeland Safety Investigations agent learn aloud, concerned Combs or different individuals in his orbit. In all, 34 individuals took the stand, all of them referred to as by the prosecution. Sean Combs didn’t testify.
How Will Jury Deliberations Work?
Decide Arun Subramanian will give jurors directions on Monday (June 28) earlier than sending them off to deliberate contained in the Manhattan federal courthouse. The jury of eight males and 4 girls should unanimously resolve whether or not every rely is responsible or not responsible. Which means all 12 jurors should agree. If jurors don’t attain an settlement, they may come again and say they’re deadlocked.
Historically, the choose would then encourage them to proceed deliberating, but when they will’t attain a consensus, the choose would resolve whether or not to declare a mistrial.
Whereas it stays unclear which method the jury is leaning, it’s price noting that Diddy has beforehand had luck within the courtroom. In 2001, he was acquitted in reference to a nightclub taking pictures for which his artist Shyne bought a 10-year sentence.
RELATED: A Timeline Of Diddy’s Previous Costs & The One Time He Was Acquitted In 2001
Related Press Employees contributed to this report through AP Newsroom.
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