Anish Vij
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual harassment and domestic violence which some readers may find distressing
Diddy's lawyer has explained to the judge why he doesn't want the jury to see Cassie Ventura's pregnancy bump when she takes to the stand.
One of the most high-profile trials in recent times resumed in New York on Tuesday (13 May) as Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, faces five felony charges.
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The hip-hop mogul's charges include sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
Prosecutors have alleged in a 14-page indictment that Combs engaged in a two-decade-long racketeering pattern and used his 'employees, resources and influence' to create 'a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in'.
Combs has plead not guilty to all of the charges.
Now, a key piece of evidence which could be used in the trial is CCTV footage of Combs allegedly punching, kicking, and dragging his ex-girlfriend and singer Cassie Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
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Combs made a public apology after the video was released by CNN last year, and said: “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.
“I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”
Cassie settled a lawsuit in late 2023 after alleging Combs had subjected her to years of abuse, including beatings and rape after they met in 2005.
The 38-year-old, who is expected to take to the stand today, happens to be eight months pregnant.
Diddy's defence attorney Marc Agnifilo, however, has told the judge that he wants her seated before the jury enters.
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“Because I think there is a prejudicial quality,” he said. "Pregnancy is beautiful and wonderful. It also is a source of potential sympathy."
It comes after Daniel Phillip, a former stripper, said he was paid up to $6,000 to sleep with Ventura when the pair were going out.
He told the court that sex could last up to 10 hours while Diddy watched and masturbated.
Phillip, who claims he witnessed Combs physically abusing Cassie, explained why he was reluctant to tell police.
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“My thought was that this was someone with unlimited power,” he told the prosecution. “And chances are even if I did go to the police, that I might still end up losing my life.”
On one occasion, he said Ventura ran to him and was shaking.
“I asked her, ‘Why is she doing this, why is she staying with this guy?’” he said to the court. “I tried to explain to her that she was in real danger if she stayed with him.”
The trial is expected to last between eight to 10 weeks.