P. Diddy says he is ‘a little nervous’ as sex trafficking trial gets underway • FRANCE 24 English

Seen in courtroom sketches with his now gray beard and hair and wearing a sober shirt and sweater. Rapper Shan Combmes aka P. Diddy cut a very different figure from the star who was arrested nearly eight months ago. On Monday, he was in a Manhattan federal court as jury selection began in his trial on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Charges that could put him behind bars for life. Several dozen potential jurors listened to the judge describe the charges and remind them Combmes had pleaded not guilty. It was the first day of a trial expected to last at least two months. Rapper and producer Combmes rose to fame in the 1990s as a celebrated figure of the East Coast hip hop scene, but critics say his success concealed serious abuse. In 2023, Combmes’s ex-girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, an orb singer known as Cassie, accused him of violent abuse and rape. The case was settled out of court, but then dozens more people made accusations. Many accused the rapper of using violence, kidnapping, and drugs to force women into sometimes daysong sex parties called freakoffs by attendees. Combmes has maintained his innocence, saying that any sex acts were consensual. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear. I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth. After jury selection, opening arguments are set to begin next week. Thank you.

The first day of jury selection wrapped Monday in New York in the blockbuster federal sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who stands accused of years of harrowing abuse. Story by Caroline Baum and Siobhán Silke.
#PDiddy #trial #abuse

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9 comments

  5. By now, Diddy’s legal firm has gotten all the fixers list of prosecutor witnesses to cooperate for the defense!😊

  7. A little nervous! That’s putting it mildly. If I was looking at serving a long sentence, I’d be absolutely terrified and devastated beyond words. That would be my press release..

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