The seven-week trial in Manhattan federal court docket uncovered the inside workings of Combs’ enterprise empire and gave the 12-member jury an intimate look into his risky romantic relationships with the rhythm and blues singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a lady recognized in court docket by the pseudonym Jane.
Ventura sued Combs in November 2023 for intercourse trafficking, the primary of dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse.
Combs, additionally recognized all through his profession as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy and as soon as feted for turning artists like Infamous B.I.G. and Usher into stars, settled with Ventura for US$20 million.
He has denied all wrongdoing.
On the trial, jurors noticed surveillance footage from 2016 displaying Combs kicking and dragging Ventura within the hallway of an InterContinental resort in Los Angeles, the place she stated she was making an attempt to depart a “Freak Off.”
Jane later testified that Combs in June 2024 attacked her and directed her to carry out oral intercourse on a male entertainer, though she advised him she didn’t need to. That alleged assault happened a month after Combs apologised on social media for his 2016 assault of Ventura, footage of which had been broadcast on CNN.
In response to prosecutors, bodily violence was only one manner Combs compelled Ventura and Jane to participate within the performances – an act of coercion they are saying quantities to intercourse trafficking as a result of the male escorts have been paid. Each girls testified that he threatened to withhold monetary help and to leak sexually specific photographs of them in the event that they refused to conform.
“The defendant used energy, violence and concern to get what he needed,” prosecutor Christy Slavik stated in her closing argument on Jun 26. “He would not take no for a solution.”
Combs’ defence attorneys argued that whereas Combs could have dedicated home violence within the context of risky romantic partnerships, his conduct didn’t quantity to intercourse trafficking.
They argued that Ventura and Jane have been sturdy, impartial girls who voluntarily took half within the sexual performances as a result of they needed to please Combs.
Each girls testified they frolicked with Combs and took half in sexual performances after he beat them. Defence attorneys argued that Ventura and Jane have been retrospectively accusing Combs of forcing their participation within the performances as a result of they have been jealous he was seeing different girls.
“If he was charged with home violence, we would not all be right here,” Combs’ defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo stated in his closing argument on Jun 27. “He didn’t do the issues he is charged with.”
