That is AI generated summarization, which can have errors. For context, at all times confer with the complete article.
To convict Combs of intercourse trafficking, prosecutors should show the intercourse acts had been business in nature, and that Combs used drive, threats, fraud or coercion to compel his girlfriends to participate
NEW YORK, USA – Prosecutors at Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ intercourse trafficking trial confirmed over the previous six weeks ample proof the hip-hop mogul bodily abused his former girlfriends and directed them to have intercourse with paid male escorts, however Combs’ protection is prone to spotlight situations the place the ladies participated willingly in making its personal case to the jury, authorized consultants mentioned.
Prosecutors are anticipated to relaxation their case in opposition to Combs, who based Dangerous Boy Data and is credited with popularizing hip-hop in American tradition, on Tuesday in Manhattan federal courtroom. The protection is anticipated to place by itself case this week.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible to 2 counts of intercourse trafficking in addition to expenses of racketeering conspiracy and transportation to have interaction in prostitution. The intercourse trafficking counts carry the very best potential jail sentence if convicted — a compulsory minimal of 15 years, and a attainable life sentence.
To convict Combs of intercourse trafficking, prosecutors should show the intercourse acts had been business in nature, and that Combs used drive, threats, fraud or coercion to compel his girlfriends to participate. The protection argues that each former girlfriends, the rhythm and blues singer Casandra Ventura and a girl identified in courtroom by the pseudonym Jane, had been keen contributors within the intercourse acts.
“There’s bought to be a linkage between the drive, fraud and coercion and the participation within the intercourse act,” mentioned Sarah Krissoff, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan. “There’s some murky testimony and proof in there concerning that, and the protection is definitely going to hammer that.”
Prosecutors say that for almost twenty years, Combs compelled Ventura and Jane into ecstasy-fueled, days-long sexual performances, typically referred to as “Freak Offs” with male prostitutes in lodge rooms whereas he watched, masturbated and typically filmed.
His protection attorneys don’t deny that the intercourse acts occurred, and acknowledge that Combs was abusive in home relationships.
However throughout cross-examination of the federal government’s witnesses, the protection introduced jurors’ consideration to sexually specific textual content messages by which the ladies expressed affection for Combs.
Each ladies testified that they at occasions took half within the sexual performances to make Combs joyful, and that they participated properly after brutal beatings by Combs, who was additionally identified throughout his profession as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy.
Protection attorneys will possible use that proof to attempt to persuade even a single juror that Ventura and Jane took half consensually, mentioned Krissoff, now at regulation agency Cozen O’Connor.
To convict Combs on any of the 5 counts he faces, the 12-member panel should unanimously conclude that prosecutors proved their allegations past an affordable doubt.
‘Trauma bonds’
Prosecutors argue the longevity of Ventura’s and Jane’s relationships with Combs doesn’t imply they consented to participate within the intercourse acts. Each ladies testified that Combs beat them, threatened to chop off monetary help, or publicly launch specific movies he had taken of them.
Authorized consultants mentioned the testimony from forensic psychologist Daybreak Hughes might be key in undermining the protection argument that Ventura and Jane took half within the “Freak Offs” consensually.
Testifying as an knowledgeable witness on Might 21, Hughes mentioned victims of sexual violence can kind a “trauma bond” with their perpetrators that may make it tough for the victims to go away an abusive relationship.
“Such compelling testimony from the victims, corroborated by the opposite proof within the case of Combs’ abuse and management, can be very tough for the protection to attempt to overcome,” mentioned Stephen Reynolds, a former federal prosecutor and present associate at regulation agency Day Pitney. – Rappler.com
