Disclaimer: This explainer contains disastrous details
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ criminal trial continued on Tuesday, day two in Manhattan, New York, and faces charges of sex trafficking and assault.
The trial was held on Monday with a ju judge’s choice, an opening statement and two tragic testimony. The three-time Grammy Award winner has been accused of using his fame and fortune to abuse women for 20 years.
Diddy, 55, the rapper, musician and founder of record label Bad Boy Records, has been in federal custody since his arrest in September. District Judge Arun Subramania is primarily on the case. The trial officially began on May 5th.
Why is Diddy being charged with?
The 17-page five-count indictment against Diddy accused him of sex trafficking, assault, forced labor, transport and personal transport with intent to prostitution. Racketeering refers to fraud or misconduct in your business.
In November 2023, his ex-girlfriend and musician Cassandra Ventura, also known by her stage name Cathy, filed a lawsuit against Diddy, accusing him of sex trafficking, sexual assault and battery from 2007 to 2018.
The next day, Kathy and Diddy settle the lawsuit, with details of the settlement unknown. Since then, the hip-hop mogul has faced more than 50 lawsuits he accused of sexual assault.
Diddy pleads not guilty to all charges.
If convicted, he could face punishment ranging from 15 years in prison to life sentence.
What happened on the first day of the Didi Trial?
The day began with 12 New York ju apprentices and six alternative choices. These are used when the ju apprentice is unable to attend due to an emergency such as illness. The court then heard the opening statement.
Court sketches from Monday show Diddy with grey hair and a grey beige sweater. His mother, Janice Combs, was in court.
“For 20 years, the defendant committed a crime that he committed, with the help of his trusty inner circle,” said the assistant US lawyer. “That’s why we’re here today. That’s the purpose of this case.”
After this, an eyewitness was brought to the stands and evidence was presented.
Hotel attack video is displayed
A March 2016 surveillance video of Diddy’s physical assault Cathy was shown in court. In the video, he is seen in the hotel lift bank, where he actively pushes Cathy into the ground and kicks her multiple times. He is then seen picking up her belongings and leaving across the floor.
Cathy is seen suffering as she stood up to use the hotel landline. In another video clip, Diddy throws a glass vase and crushes it. The video first surfaced when it aired by CNN in 2024, and he later apologized.
The video was shown to support the testimony of Israel Flores, the first witness currently a Los Angeles police officer. In March 2016, Florez was a security guard at InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, where surveillance camera video was available.
Florez told the court that she received a call from a woman in distress and found Diddy and Cassie on the sixth floor. Flores said that Cathy had purple eyes and she refused his suggestion to call police.
Details about “Freakoff” have been revealed
Prosecutors said in the opening of a statement that said Diddy was involved in a “freak-off” or “freak-off” or sex parties involving multiple sex workers. They said these parties were drug fuel and the victims were threatened with video footage.
“They will tell you about some of the most painful experiences of their lives: days they spent in hotel rooms, days they spent high on drugs, days they dressed in costumes to do the defendant’s sexual fantasies.”
Diddy’s defense ruled that these events were agreement and that the victim did not call police.
Daniel Philip’s testimony
The second witness called to the court was male stripper Daniel Philip. He told the court that he had sex with Cathy for money multiple times between 2012 and 2013. Philip told the court that he saw Diddy physically attack Kathy, smacking her, dragging her through her hair, and throwing a bottle of liquor at her.
“She literally jumped into my lap and she was shaking, like her whole body was shaking.
Didi’s defense team testifies
The defense team also spoke on the first day.
Defence counsel Tenny Jelagos found her client angry and violent, but the allegations against him amount to domestic violence rather than sex trafficking, and his relationship is agreed.
“This case concerns voluntary choices by competent adults in a consensual relationship,” Geragos said in his opening statement. “For Cathy, she chose to be with him every day,” she was quoted as saying by the BBC.
Geragos added that those who criticized Didi are seeking financial compensation.
What will happen on Tuesday?
The trial is scheduled to resume at 9:30am (13:30 GMT) on Tuesday, due to cross-examination by Philip. After this, Cathy is expected to stand up. Prosecutors said four of Didi’s accusers would testify during trial without publicly identifying them.
The test is expected to last for about two months.
Can I watch Didi Trial live?
No, the trial has not been aired and electronic media is not permitted within the courtroom. For this reason, photos and videos are also prohibited in court.
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