Trial begins on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ case with prosecutors detailing ‘coercive’ crimes

The sex trafficking trial of the disgraced rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs kicked off with the jury swearing in, and the defense and prosecution offered opening statements.

 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, reported ‘Variety’.

The prosecution focused on alleged victims Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura and ‘Jane’, who are both expected to testify this week.

As per the entertainment magazine, 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.

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”.

The prosecution said Combs’ alleged abuse of Ventura was “the tip of the iceberg” of his illegal behavior, which also allegedly includes arson and the kidnapping of his own employee. The prosecution referenced other victims, including Mia, a personal assistant whom Combs allegedly raped, and an escort who says he witnessed Combs assault Ventura.

(This story was taken from a syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital team)