By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER
EW YORK (AP) — Jurors began deliberating Monday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ intercourse trafficking case, weighing costs that would put the hip-hop mogul in jail for all times.
After receiving authorized directions from federal Choose Arun Subramanian for greater than 2 hours, the jury of eight males and 4 girls headed behind closed doorways to deliberate. They’ll be sifting via seven weeks of typically graphic and emotional testimony in regards to the rap, style and actuality TV impresario ’s propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, together with drug-fueled intercourse marathons dubbed “ freak-offs ” or “resort nights.”
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible to federal costs of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking — relating to 2 of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly intercourse employees throughout state traces.
In closing arguments final week, federal prosecutors and Combs’ protection workforce took their final photographs at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founding father of Unhealthy Boy Information.
“The defendant used energy, violence and worry to get what he needed,” Assistant U.S. Legal professional Christy Slavik mentioned. “He thought that his fame, wealth and energy put him above the legislation.”
She mentioned that he used his “shut internal circle and a small military of private workers, who made it their mission to fulfill the defendant’s each need, promote his energy and shield his popularity in any respect prices.”
Protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo countered, “This isn’t about crime. It’s about cash.” He famous that one among Combs’ accusers within the prison case additionally sued him in civil court docket.
“He isn’t a racketeer. He isn’t a conspirator to commit racketeering. He’s none of these items. He’s harmless. He sits there harmless. Return him to his household, who’ve been ready for him,” the lawyer advised jurors.
In all, 34 witnesses testified, headlined by Combs’ former girlfriends Cassie — the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and “ Jane,” who testified below a pseudonym. Each girls mentioned he usually was violent towards them. Cassie mentioned he compelled her into tons of of sexual encounters with paid male intercourse employees whereas Jane recounted quite a few “resort nights.”
Jurors additionally noticed now-infamous safety digital camera video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles resort in 2016 and clips from movies of sexual encounters.
Combs selected to not testify, and his attorneys didn’t name any witnesses of their protection case. His attorneys elected as an alternative to problem the accusers’ credibility throughout prolonged cross-examination questioning.
The protection has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, however his attorneys keep that the intercourse acts had been consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs’ private life and that he’s completed nothing to warrant the fees in opposition to him.
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