Ex-girlfriend's assault by Sean 'Diddy' Combs to be admitted as court evidence, according to judge's ruling.
Rewritten Article:
A sex trafficking and racketeering trial for Sean "Diddy" Combs is on the horizon, with jurors set to witness a shocking security video depicting an assault at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, after a federal judge's ruling.
During a hearing, it seemed defense attorneys might argue Combs’ lifestyle as a swinger isn't criminal. Prosecutors, however, rejected this claim, stating the video, first aired by CNN last year, is crucial evidence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Smyser disclosed that Combs was offered a plea deal, but he declined it. Smyser declined to provide details about the offer.
In a setback for Combs’ legal team, U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian validated the video, countering the defense’s motion to exclude it, as they claimed the footage was manipulated and out of sequence. CNN vehemently denies this allegation, stating they never tampered with the original video.
Ventura, who was once signed to Combs' record label as Cassie, previously sued him for years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. They settled out of court quickly, and an attorney for Combs claimed the settlement didn't imply an admission of wrongdoing.
After CNN broadcast the video in May, Combs publicly apologized, admitting he took responsibility for his actions. Ventura described the hotel assault in her lawsuit, which served as evidence against Combs during the bail hearing. Combs has been imprisoned at a federal prison in Brooklyn since his arrest in September.
The indictment alleges that "freak offs" – elaborate sex performances – were arranged, directed, and sometimes recorded by Combs, often involving multiple commercial sex workers. Prosecutors claim the 2016 surveillance video showed Combs trying to drag Ventura back to a hotel room for a "freak off."
In court on Friday, Combs appeared in a prison uniform in Manhattan federal court. Prosecutors accuse Combs of leading a criminal enterprise engaged in sex trafficking, kidnapping, and arson, among other crimes.
Smyser asked the court to limit public access to the "freak off" videos, stating they will depict victims, escorts, and sometimes Combs. The judge also ruled that Dr. Dawn Hughes, a clinical psychologist whose testimony Combs' legal team had attempted to block, could testify about coping strategies and memories but not coercive control. The defense was granted the right to present an expert rebuttal witness to Hughes in a limited context.
Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued that prosecutors wanted to prevent the defense from defending Combs' actions as part of a lifestyle, likening it to swinging. Agnifilo insisted they weren't suggesting this was selective prosecution, but acknowledged the existence of a lifestyle they believed was acceptable.
[1] According to recent developments, the trial for Sean "Diddy" Combs will proceed as planned, following a judge's denial of a two-month delay request by Combs' legal team[source: CNN].
[5] However, specifics about the terms of the government's plea deal offer remain unknown[source: CNN].
[2] Prosecutors are adamant that the security video showcasing an assault at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, which was initially aired by CNN last year, holds crucial evidence in the upcoming sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs [source: Rewritten Article].
[3] In a previous lawsuit, Ventura, who was once a part of Combs' record label, accused him of years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, although they quickly settled out of court [source: Rewritten Article].
[4] Entertainment outlets, such as CNN, have discussed the general-news and crime-and-justice implications of the trial involving Combs, a high-profile celebrity [source: Rewritten Article].
[6] While Combs' attorney argues the prosecution seeks to prevent the defense from portraying Combs' actions as part of a lifestyle (e.g., swinging), the court has ruled in favor of certain witnesses testifying about coping strategies, memories, and coercive control, but not specifically on coercive control [source: Rewritten Article].
