Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex-trafficking trial heard opening arguments and witness testimonies today, May 12, in Manhattan.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, the New York Post reported. If convicted, Combs faces life in prison.
During opening statements at the trial, Prosecutor Emily Johnson told jurors that although the disgraced music mogul was a “larger-than-life” figure in business, he repeatedly committed criminal acts.
Combs’ lawyer, Teny Geragos, argued that while jurors will hear testimony about the music mogul’s “swingers” lifestyle and “kinky sex,” those things don’t make him a criminal. However, there is surveillance footage from a hotel hallway in 2016 of Combs beating his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Ventura recalled that she felt like she was “choking” when Combs “made an escort urinate in her mouth.” Ventura is expected to take a stand this week.
Teny Geragos told the jury that domestic violence is not sex trafficking. Combs is suspected to have abused eight men and four women, as the Grammy winner sat in the courtroom wearing a white sweater.
During the selection process, jurors were asked if they were familiar with celebrities who might be mentioned in the trial. Those celebrities consisted of Kanye “Ye” West, who leaked a prison call he made with Combs, rapper Kid Cudi, whose car Combs is rumored to have blown up, and Michael B. Jordan, who allegedly had a brief romance with Ventura, were among the names brought up, Page Six reported.
This is an ongoing investigation; more updates will be provided later.
