Online Reporter
NEW YORK. − Coercion or consent?
That is the central question posed to a federal jury Monday on the first day of testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ racketeering and sex trafficking trial in New York City.
The criminal trial represents a dramatic fall from grace for Combs, 55, who founded the record label Bad Boy in 1993 and launched an illustrious musical career under the stage names Puff Daddy and Diddy.
He has earned three Grammy wins and 14 nominations, and he successfully expanded from rapper into cultural icon, with forays into fashion, alcohol sales, reality TV and acting.
He faced a series of civil lawsuits alleging serious wrongdoing prior to his September arrest on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, and has been behind bars since.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to five counts, including one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to life in prison.
Combs’ trial will not be televised, per the rules of federal court. CNN will have reporting from journalists inside and outside the court.
Here are the key takeaways from the first day of Combs’ criminal trial, including opening statements and testimony from the first two witnesses.
PROSECUTION HIGHLIGHTS TWO MAIN ACCUSERS
The prosecution’s case will mostly focus on two accusers: Cassie Ventura and a woman identified as “Jane,” according to Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson.
Combs coerced the two women into “Freak Offs” that would last days and took place across the country, Johnson said. Combs’ staff organised the travel and his businesses paid the expenses in what prosecutors described as a criminal enterprise.
Ventura first met Combs in 2006 when she was a 19-year-old model and aspiring singer with a hit song. He was 17 years older than her. Prosecutors said he repeatedly physically abused her.
Johnson described one incident in which Combs allegedly made a male sex worker urinate in her mouth, making her feel like she was choking.
JURY WILL SEE VIDEO OF ‘FREAK OFFS’
Prosecutors said they plan to show the jury video of the “Freak Offs,” Combs’ provocative term for days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances.
Combs allegedly used threats, violence, drugs and lies to coerce women into participating in these “Freak Offs” – also known as “Wild King Nights” and “Hotel Nights” – and then filmed these to use as blackmail, according to the prosecution.
The defence said the “Freak Offs” were between consenting adults acting of their own free will.
BOTH SIDES AGREE COMBS COMMITTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The prosecution said Monday Combs had committed domestic violence against past romantic partners. His defence agreed.
DEFENCE QUESTIONS ACCUSERS’ MOTIVES
As is typical in a trial involving allegations of sexual abuse, Combs’ defence said they plan to question the motives of the accusers in the trial.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man but this is not a complicated case,” Geragos said. “This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money,”
VIDEO OF HOTEL ATTACK IS CENTRAL EVIDENCE
With the prosecution’s first witness on the stand, the jury was shown surveillance video of Combs beating and kicking Ventura in a California hotel in 2016.
Israel Florez, who worked as security at the former InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles at the time, testified about his interactions with Combs and Ventura in the minutes after the incident.
He said Combs attempted to bribe him with a wad of cash for his silence.
COMBS FAMILY SHOWS SUPPORT
Combs walked into the courtroom Monday morning and greeted two rows of family and friends with a big smile and tap to his chest, a thumbs up, and made a heart shape with his hands.
At least six of his adult children sat in the second row behind them, his mother in between them. Combs’ sister was also seated in the same row.
Some of his children tapped their chest back to him and smiled. Combs also blew his mother a kiss.
THE FINAL JURY IS SEATED
Prior to opening statements, Monday’s court proceedings began with the final steps of selecting a jury.
Last week, the court narrowed down hundreds of potential jurors into a group of 43 people qualified and willing to serve.
The jury panel of 12 is made up of eight men and four women. The alternate group consists of four men and two women. − CNN
