In a high-profile sex trafficking trial, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs stands accused of leading a criminal enterprise that operated for two decades, employing violence, intimidation, and coercion to carry out numerous crimes.
During closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik outlined the prosecution’s case, depicting Combs as a figure who believed his fame, wealth, and power placed him above the law.
Slavik labeled Combs as the leader of a criminal organization, asserting that he consistently ignored consent and engaged in heinous acts to further his desires.
Over the trial’s duration, jurors heard evidence of serious allegations, including kidnapping and arson, where Combs allegedly attempted to blow up a car.
The prosecution accused him of engaging in forced labor, bribing hotel security workers, and coercing former girlfriends into degrading sexual acts for his entertainment.
Slavik emphasized that the experiences of Combs’ former girlfriend Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura and another ex-girlfriend, identified as ‘Jane’, were central to the case.
She asserted that Combs compelled the women to participate in highly exploitative events, referred to as ‘freak-offs’ or ‘hotel nights’, often involving drugs and threats of violence.
The prosecutor stated, “The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” highlighting the systemic nature of his alleged abuses.
According to Slavik, Combs relied on fear and silence to maintain control over his victims, utilizing a network of employees, including assistants and bodyguards, to carry out and conceal his actions.
Slavik explained that racketeering law posits that criminal activity conducted within a group amplifies the danger posed by its members, suggesting that Combs’ influence was both magnified and dangerous due to his close associates.
“Combs and his inner circle committed hundreds of racketeering acts,” Slavik noted, painting a picture of a vast network of complicity.
While Combs sat quietly, often taking notes and appearing distant, family members filled the courtroom behind him.
Despite his arrest last September and the ensuing trial, Combs has consistently maintained his innocence, although his legal team acknowledged incidents of domestic violence during court proceedings.
The prosecutor did not shy away from the characterization of Combs’ acts as abusive, stating, “The defendant doesn’t deny the abuse. They just want to call it ‘domestic violence’ and claim it doesn’t have anything to do with the crimes charged.”
The defense, preparing for its own closing arguments, sought to dismantle the prosecution’s claims by cross-examining witnesses, many of whom appeared reluctant or only testified under subpoena.
Combs’ legal team argued that there was no conspiracy among employees to commit the crimes in question, contesting the underlying premise of the racketeering charges.
In her concluding remarks, Slavik reiterated claims that employees willingly participated in illegal acts for Combs, including drug distribution and the intimidation of victims.
She recounted chilling text messages from Jane, who expressed distress over being pressured into participating in sexual acts, stating, “It’s dark, sleazy and makes me feel disgusted with myself. I feel it’s the only reason you have me around.”
Moreover, jurors were shown harrowing security footage from 2016 that depicted Combs engaging in violent behavior towards Cassie at a hotel, further supporting the case against him.
In this context, Slavik asserted, “He knew exactly what he was doing. That is sex trafficking,” emphasizing the calculated nature of Combs’ alleged actions.
Judge Arun Subramanian informed jurors that following the defense’s closing arguments and a rebuttal from the prosecution, legal instructions would be given before they began deliberating the case.
As the trial unfolds, all eyes remain on the courtroom, where a once-celebrated mogul faces allegations that could significantly impact his legacy and freedom.
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