It was the start of the top for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ intercourse trafficking and racketeering trial on Thursday, as prosecutors started their closing arguments, spotlighting how Combs used violence and affect to execute a collection of “brutal crimes.”
“The defendant used energy, violence and worry to get what he wished,” assistant U.S. legal professional Christy Slavik instructed the jury within the prosecution’s closing arguments, in line with the Related Press. “He thought that his fame, wealth and energy put him above the regulation.”
She added that there’s proof of his alleged felony conspiracies that hint again over 20 years, noting the alleged kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura and his former assistant Capricorn Clark, as detailed over the earlier weeks of the trial. One other instance talked about was the alleged bombing of musician Child Cudi’s automotive, amongst different crimes — all of which she mentioned Combs was capable of orchestrate via his platform and his loyal workers.
Throughout her remarks, the jury was proven photographs of the people Combs allegedly conspired with, photographs of proof — together with alleged drug distribution of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA — and excerpts from testimonies, per the AP.
“During the last a number of weeks, you’ve realized so much about Sean Combs,” Slavik mentioned initially of her statements. “He’s the chief of a felony enterprise. He doesn’t take no for a solution. And now you recognize about many crimes he dedicated with members of his enterprise.”
Slavik additionally introduced up Combs’ alleged mistreatment of Ventura, whom he was in a relationship with for 11 years and is the girl seen within the Intercontinental Lodge footage from 2016 that CNN launched in March 2024. Slavik acknowledged that Combs constantly “threatened and manipulated” Ventura and one other unnamed ex-girlfriend into having “intercourse with escorts for his personal leisure,” and leaned on “silence and disgrace” to maintain his abuse coated up. With the assistance of his workforce of workers, together with bodyguards and assistants, Combs was capable of facilitate and proceed on along with his abusive acts, the prosecutor mentioned.
“The defendant was a robust man, however he turned extra highly effective and harmful due to his interior circle, his companies — the enterprise,” Slavik mentioned, including that Combs and his entourage “dedicated a whole lot of racketeering acts.”
Whereas Combs’ authorized workforce shut down the racketeering cost, claiming his workers didn’t agree to participate in any plot, Slavik famous their involvement within the alleged kidnappings and drug deliveries assist the prosecution’s arguments.
The jury is ready to listen to Combs’ closing arguments on Friday and prosecution’s rebuttal earlier than deliberation, which may occur as early as that afternoon, begins.
Combs’ trial has lasted over six weeks, and 34 witnesses have testified for the jury. Combs’ workforce maintains that the music mogul did take part in home violence however denies he’s damaged any federal legal guidelines.
On Wednesday, prosecutors tightened its racketeering conspiracy costs towards the mogul, eradicating claims of arson and kidnapping someday earlier than closing arguments have been set to start, in line with The Unbiased. In a letter to the choose, prosecution acknowledged it might be dropping three claims associated to the racketeering conspiracy in an effort to “streamline” jury directions. Whereas the racketeering conspiracy cost continues to be a part of the listed accused crimes, prosecution eliminated jury directions linked to the tried kidnapping, tried arson and the facilitation of intercourse trafficking.
Combs was hit with 5 federal counts of racketeering, intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution, which he’s pleaded not responsible to.
