Warning: This article discusses sexual assault and domestic abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Both the prosecution and defence teams have delivered their opening statements in the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, which could see the rapper face up to life in prison if convicted.
Combs was arrested last September and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution following an investigation by federal police. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
Opening statements were heard from both sides of the case as the trial got underway in New York. In the prosecution's opening remarks, Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson claimed Combs had run a 'criminal enterprise' alongside the help of an 'inner circle' of employees.
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The remarks were then followed by the defence attorney Teny Geragos, who told the court Combs was 'physical' and a 'drug user' who had a love of 'baby oil' but not guilty of 'a federal crime'.
Here is a breakdown of the statements made by Geragos.
Opening remarks
During her opening remarks, Geragos said that while Combs is a 'complicated' man, his case revolves around the rapper's 'private personal sex life' and that jurors were not here to judge his preferences.
She also accused the prosecution of attempting to turn Combs' relationships into a case of racketeering and sex-trafficking.
"You will hear why people stayed around him and why it matters - he gave people opportunity and chances," she told the court.
"They didn't always like what he did or how he behaved, but they truly loved him, and by being with him, they were part of something special."
Reference to Combs' use of baby oil
During her statement Geragos made a reference to the '1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant' seized from Combs' property, saying this was not a crime.
"We will not shy away from the things he did, but we will not own the things he did not do," she told jurors. "He is physical, he is a drug user, you may know of his love of baby oil. Is that a federal crime? No!"
Claims about Combs' relationship with Cassandra Ventura
Geragos also addressed the relationship between Combs and Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura, claiming the singer and dancer split with the musician after she realised she would 'never be his wife'.
"When Combs said Kim Porter was his soulmate, Cassie realised all the things she would not be, she wanted to be Combs’ wife," she told the court, adding that Ventura left the relationship after realising 'she would... never be his wife, never be [the] love of his life'.
Kim Porter had an on-off relationship with Combs between 1994 and 2007 and they share three children together. She passed away from pneumonia in 2018.
Ventura tape 'indefensible' but not sex trafficking
Addressing the 2016 hotel footage where Combs could be seen physically assaulting Ventura, Geragos acknowledged that it was 'indefensible' but not evidence of sex trafficking.
"That day, unfortunately, jealousy was on full display," she told the court, noting that Combs had consumed 'bad drugs' on the day in question.
"What Combs did to Cassie on this video tape is indefensible. It’s horrible. It’s dehumanising. It’s violent. It’s virtually every bad word you can think of," she continued.
However she added that it was not 'evidence of sex trafficking' but instead 'evidence of domestic violence'.
"I’m not justifying the assault — not by a long shot — but I’m putting it in the proper context," she added.
Alleged victims were 'willing' participants
Geragos concluded her opening statement by saying the alleged victims of Combs were 'willing' participants in the activities.
Referring to Ventura, Geragos told the court she 'was a willing participant in their sex life' and that 'after a period of time', Combs' relationship with another accuser, who has been given the pseudonym 'Jane', became 'mostly sexual', adding: "She was a capable, strong adult woman."
Geragos then concluded her opening statement by saying that alleged victims had been motivated by money.
"They will tell you they were victimised. Ask yourself, what is their motive," she continued. "The answer is simple: money."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: Diddy, Celebrity News, US News, Crime
Brenna Cooper