Opening statements today.
The prosecution.
The government’s opening statement from prosecutor Emily A. Johnson painted Combs as a powerful businessman who used his fame and power to rape, assault and abuse various people for decades, and whose inner circle of bodyguards and other employees helped him commit and cover up crimes. The prosecution focused on alleged victims Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and “Jane,” who are both expected to testify this week. Throughout their 11-year relationship, Combs allegedly “physically abused” and “sexually exploited” Ventura, forcing her to take drugs and have sex with male escorts as Combs masturbated and videotaped. These incidents, which Combs called “freak-offs,” took place in dimly-lit hotel rooms set up with supplies by Combs’ employees. Combs allegedly used the video footage to “blackmail” Ventura, an R&B artist in her own right who was signed to his record label. “He told her he could destroy her career by releasing videos of her performing sex acts on dozens and dozens of escorts,” said the prosecution. “He had the power to ruin her life.”
As Combs has asserted that all sexual activity referenced in his indictment was consensual, the prosecution said, “This case is not about a celebrity’s private sexual preferences,” adding that the sex acts were “coercive and criminal.” In one alleged instance, Combs made a male escort urinate in Ventura’s mouth. In another, she overdosed on drugs given to her by Combs while she still had an open wound on her face from his physical abuse.
The Defense
In the defense’s opening statement, Combs’ lawyers argued that this case is about “voluntary adult choices” that the government is attempting to twist into sex trafficking. “This is about Sean Combs’ private, personal sex life,” said Combs’ attorney Teny Geragos. “The government has no place in this man’s bedroom.” The defense did not attempt to portray Combs as a decent man. Geragos told the jury directly that Combs was a dishonest and sometimes violent person who cheated on and lied to his multiple partners. She asked the jurors not to relate to Combs but to consider whether he is guilty of the very serious federal charges. “He is not charged with being mean. He is not charged with being a jerk,” she said. At one point, Combs’ lawyer told the jury, “You may know of his love of baby oil. Is that a federal crime? No.”
Apparently all his kids attended the trial today, I would die of embarrassment if my dad was doing this shyt.
Diddy Trial Opening Statements: Prosecutors Detail ‘Coercive and Criminal’ Sex Crimes, Defense Says the ‘Government Has No Place in This Man’s Bedroom’
The prosecution.
The government’s opening statement from prosecutor Emily A. Johnson painted Combs as a powerful businessman who used his fame and power to rape, assault and abuse various people for decades, and whose inner circle of bodyguards and other employees helped him commit and cover up crimes. The prosecution focused on alleged victims Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and “Jane,” who are both expected to testify this week. Throughout their 11-year relationship, Combs allegedly “physically abused” and “sexually exploited” Ventura, forcing her to take drugs and have sex with male escorts as Combs masturbated and videotaped. These incidents, which Combs called “freak-offs,” took place in dimly-lit hotel rooms set up with supplies by Combs’ employees. Combs allegedly used the video footage to “blackmail” Ventura, an R&B artist in her own right who was signed to his record label. “He told her he could destroy her career by releasing videos of her performing sex acts on dozens and dozens of escorts,” said the prosecution. “He had the power to ruin her life.”
As Combs has asserted that all sexual activity referenced in his indictment was consensual, the prosecution said, “This case is not about a celebrity’s private sexual preferences,” adding that the sex acts were “coercive and criminal.” In one alleged instance, Combs made a male escort urinate in Ventura’s mouth. In another, she overdosed on drugs given to her by Combs while she still had an open wound on her face from his physical abuse.
The Defense
In the defense’s opening statement, Combs’ lawyers argued that this case is about “voluntary adult choices” that the government is attempting to twist into sex trafficking. “This is about Sean Combs’ private, personal sex life,” said Combs’ attorney Teny Geragos. “The government has no place in this man’s bedroom.” The defense did not attempt to portray Combs as a decent man. Geragos told the jury directly that Combs was a dishonest and sometimes violent person who cheated on and lied to his multiple partners. She asked the jurors not to relate to Combs but to consider whether he is guilty of the very serious federal charges. “He is not charged with being mean. He is not charged with being a jerk,” she said. At one point, Combs’ lawyer told the jury, “You may know of his love of baby oil. Is that a federal crime? No.”
Apparently all his kids attended the trial today, I would die of embarrassment if my dad was doing this shyt.
Diddy Trial Opening Statements: Prosecutors Detail ‘Coercive and Criminal’ Sex Crimes, Defense Says the ‘Government Has No Place in This Man’s Bedroom’
