Press Article: Closing Arguments Underway in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial
In a high-profile sex trafficking trial, closing arguments commenced on Thursday for Sean “Diddy” Combs, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik detailing a harrowing narrative of alleged abuse and criminal enterprise led by the hip-hop mogul. Describing Combs as a figure who wielded "power, violence, and fear," Slavik painted a picture of a man who engaged in a two-decade-long pattern of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Slavik argued that Combs utilized a “small army” of employees, including personal assistants and bodyguards, to perpetuate a cycle of coercion and violence against women, leveraging his status as a music star to silence victims through blackmail and intimidation. She emphasized the racketeering law, which posits that crime committed in a group is more powerful and dangerous, suggesting that Combs’ influence was magnified by his network of associates.
The prosecution alleged that Combs induced women into drug-fueled sexual performances, dubbing these events "Freak Offs," involving male sex workers and orchestrated by his inner circle. Conversely, defense attorneys contended that while Combs may have engaged in domestic violence, he did not commit any federal crimes. They aimed for acquittal, challenging the credibility of many of the government’s 34 witnesses, some of whom expressed reluctance in their testimonies.
As the trial progresses, Judge Arun Subramanian informed the jury they would hear the defense’s closing arguments on Friday, followed by a prosecutor’s rebuttal, before instructing them on the law. Deliberations could commence as soon as late afternoon. Resources for victims of sexual assault remain available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
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