NEW YORK – In a high-profile court docket look on Friday, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not responsible to a superseding indictment that accuses him of forcing considered one of his workers into intercourse acts. The brand new indictment, which expands the alleged prison conduct to incorporate two extra victims, additionally costs Combs with compelling workers to work lengthy hours beneath threats of bodily and reputational hurt.
Combs, whose hair and beard appeared noticeably greyer than in previous appearances, entered the New York court docket unshackled, sporting a khaki two-piece jail uniform. He greeted Choose Arun Subramanian with a smile and a courteous “Good afternoon” as members of his household – together with his mom – have been seen seated within the courtroom.
This newest set of costs provides to the authorized woes that started with Combs’ arrest final 12 months in reference to a sprawling intercourse trafficking indictment. At the moment, he had already pleaded not responsible to costs together with racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
Federal prosecutors have indicated that their case might name as many as 20 potential witnesses, except for the three principal alleged victims, to testify about Combs’ conduct. Many of those witnesses, in line with prosecutor Mitzi Steiner, are “extremely frightened” about changing into publicly identified or being recognized to Combs’ authorized group. The identities of those witnesses are anticipated to be disclosed to the protection within the coming days.
Because the trial prepares to maneuver ahead, opening statements are scheduled to start on Might 12. The method of jury choice is already underway, with potential jurors set to start filling out questionnaires on April 28 and in-person choice beginning Might 5 – a course of that goals to query as much as 300 people per day till a jury is seated.
In a associated growth, federal prosecutors have introduced their intention to introduce video proof depicting Combs kicking and dragging his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, throughout an incident in a Los Angeles lodge in 2016. When questioned by Choose Subramanian concerning the potential deceptiveness of the footage, prosecutor Steiner replied, “In fact not, your honor.” Nevertheless, Combs’ protection contends that the video, initially obtained by CNN, is deceptive and considerably altered. Protection legal professional Marc Agnifilo argued that forensic evaluation of the footage revealed important modifications – together with coated time stamps, altered sequences, and an accelerated tempo – which they declare misrepresent the precise occasions. A CNN spokesperson, nonetheless, denied these allegations, asserting that the community by no means altered the video and retained the unique copy.
This controversy over video proof comes after Combs launched an Instagram apology final Might concerning the incident, stating, “My habits on that video is inexcusable. I take full accountability for my actions in that video. I used to be disgusted then once I did it. I’m disgusted now.”
With the authorized proceedings intensifying, the case in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to draw widespread consideration, as each the prosecution and protection put together for what guarantees to be a carefully watched trial.
