New York, USA — The fourth day of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal racketeering and intercourse trafficking trial took a dramatic flip Thursday as his protection staff acknowledged the music mogul had engaged in home violence in opposition to his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura—however insisted the abuse of their relationship was mutual.
In a tense courtroom trade, Diddy’s lead legal professional, Marc Agnifilo, informed U.S. District Decide Arun Subramanian that whereas Combs would admit to home violence, the protection would argue that each events have been violent towards one another throughout their relationship.
“We’re completely going to confess to home violence,” Agnifilo stated. “However at what level does it turn into coercive?” He continued, “We’re saying there was mutual violence… hitting, on either side: DV [domestic violence].”
Prosecutor Emily Anne Johnson pushed again, stating that the federal government wouldn’t permit cross-examination of “Sufferer 1″—extensively understood to be Cassie—on sure medical points. Decide Subramanian responded that if prosecutors raised sure points, the protection can be allowed to discover them totally on cross-examination.
Johnson additionally informed the courtroom she intends to introduce key video proof, together with two cellphone clips and corrected footage from CNN displaying the 2016 incident during which Combs was captured on surveillance digicam beating Cassie in a hallway on the Intercontinental Lodge in Los Angeles. That video, launched publicly final yr, sparked widespread outrage and led Combs to publicly apologize.
“I take full accountability for my actions in that video,” Combs stated in a press release on the time. “I used to be disgusted then after I did it. I’m disgusted now.”
The courtroom dialogue hints on the protection’s evolving technique—to acknowledge Diddy’s previous abusive habits whereas framing the connection as turbulent on either side. Decide Subramanian sought to make clear Agnifilo’s stance, asking, “You’re arguing that they’re simply violent?” Agnifilo confirmed, “Proper. We’re saying it’s related.”
Cassie has beforehand accused Combs of years of abuse and coercion, allegations that are actually central to the federal authorities’s sweeping case in opposition to him, which incorporates expenses of intercourse trafficking, racketeering, kidnapping, arson, and bribery.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible and stays in federal custody in Brooklyn. If convicted on all counts, he may face a minimal of 15 years to life in jail.
Opening arguments within the intently watched trial are anticipated subsequent week, following the completion of jury choice.
