Music mogul Diddy/SCREENGRAB
Opening statements have begun in the sex-trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs in New York.
Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The prosecution has told the jury that Combs used violence in his "coercive and criminal" behaviour, and had the "power to ruin" victims' lives.
However, the defence says Combs could be angry and violent, but that his relationships were consensual as part of a "swinger's lifestyle."
He has also denied all the charges against him and has rejected a plea deal.
If found guilty, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison.
WHAT'S HAPPENED IN COURT SO FAR?
Court is on an hour's break now. Earlier this morning, the jury was sworn in and opening statements began.
If you are just joining us, here's a recap of what has happened so far today:
From the prosecution:
- The US government contends that Combs used his status as a high profile rapper and music executive to enact violence and blackmail his sexual partners, including his ex-partner, the singer Cassie
- They argued Combs' behaviour was "coercive and criminal" and that he "had the power to ruin" his alleged victims’ lives
From the defence:
- The defence argues while Combs might have engaged in domestic violence, he is innocent of the sex trafficking and prostitution charges at the heart of this case
- They argue that Combs had a swinger's lifestyle and that all his sexual encounters were consensual, with adults who for many years had the power to leave but chose not to
DEFENCE CLAIMS DIDDY'S 'FREAK-OFFS' WERE CONSENSUAL
Before court broke for lunch, Combs' legal team told the jury that there will be videos of so-called "freak-offs" used as evidence.
The defence claims these "freak-offs" were all consensual, and the alleged victims did not call police.
Federal authorities have described "freak-offs" as days-long sex parties involving multiple sex workers. Combs is accused of coercing participants with drugs and threats.
He has denied the charges against him.
DIDDY HAD SWINGER LIFESTYLE BUT IS NOT A SEX TRAFFICKER, DEFENCE SAYS
The defence is close to wrapping up their opening statement.
Lawyer Teny Geragos continues to argue that Combs committed domestic violence - but is not a sex trafficker.
They have argued he has a "swinger’s lifestyle" - and had "consensual threesomes by adults".
And they have tried to shift the focus to the women who accuse Combs of assault, saying they were "capable, strong women" who made a choice to stay with Combs.
"With each person, they are all getting something" from Combs, the defence attorney tells the court.
DEFENCE SAYS DIDDY'S RELATIONSHIPS WERE CONSENSUAL
Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos is giving the opening statement for the defence.
The strategy she’s taking: admitting some of Combs’ flaws. Geragos says that Combs is angry and violent, and that allegations against Combs amount to domestic violence - but they don’t amount to sex trafficking and racketeering.
She characterises Combs’ relationships with the alleged victims - and the freak offs themselves - as being consensual.
Geragos says Comb's prior relationships were consensual, that they “loved him” and were benefitting from the relationship.
Geragos also tells the New York jury about Combs' roots, emphasising that the rapper is from Harlem and came from nothing.
DIDDY HAD THE POWER TO RUIN LIVES, PROSECUTION TELLS COURT
The government is continuing its opening statement.
Over the past 30 minutes, the government has laid out its case against Combs, sharing many of the details from the indictment against him.
The prosecutor says Combs’ behaviour is more than just a "celebrity’s sexual preferences" but was "coercive and criminal".
The defendant "had the power to ruin" his victims’ lives, the prosecutor tells the court.
COURT HEARS CLAIMS OF VIOLENCE AND BLACKMAIL
Opening statements have started, and the prosecution is up first. Speaking to the jury, prosecutor Emily A. Johnson lays out their case.
She tells the court Combs is a man who spent the last 20 years running a criminal enterprise with the help of bodyguards and staff members.
Cassie is mentioned, with the prosecutor telling the court about a night when Combs found out she was seeing another man, broke into that man’s home and searched for Cassie. The court hears Combs "beat her brutally".
R&B artist Casandra "Cassie" Ventura is Diddy's ex-partner, and will likely be mentioned frequently in this trial.
The prosecution then claims Combs forced Cassie to have sex with male escorts and then blackmailed her with footage of the encounters.
The court hears Combs used his business empire to commit and cover up a host of drug and sex crimes.
The hip hop mogul, who is also known as "P. Diddy", "Puffy", "Puff Daddy," among other aliases, appeared in front of a New York City jury.
The line to get into the building extends down several blocks. Some people have been camped out since Sunday evening to secure a position.
The last time we saw Combs was at jury selection last week. He was in a prison jumpsuit, his hair was greyed and he wore glasses.
In the overflow room, there are several of Diddy’s family and friends, as well as Lisa Bloom, a lawyer representing some of the victims.
Bloom is seated next to her mother, Hollywood attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing victims in disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial.
Jury selection took all of last week, and opening statements began this morning.
Sean "Diddy" Combs career has spanned decades, from launching the careers of Notorious B.I.G and Mary J. Blige in the 1990s, to a Grammy nomination for a solo album in 2023.
Though his discography as a rapper is well-known, his vast empire was built through his label - Bad Boy Records.
Over the years, it has collaborated with Faith Evans, Ma$e, 112, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez.
Outside of music, he has also appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, including starring alongside Russell Brand and Jonah Hill in the 2010 comedy Get Him to The Greek.
THE JUDGE OVERSEEING DIDDY'S TRIAL
The judge presiding over this trial is Arun Subramanian, who has been on this bench for about two years.
He was nominated by former President Joe Biden and confirmed in a 59-23 US Senate vote.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer originally recommended Subramanian to Biden, and said in his Senate hearing introduction that "our courts need more people like Arun Subramanian".
Schumer also said Subramanian, the son of Indian immigrants, is the first South Asian judge in the Southern District of New York.
During jury selection, he joked around with lawyers and jurors, comparing one document's length to that of Lord of the Rings.
Before his nomination in 2022, he had a private law practice. Earlier in his career, he also clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
WHO ARE THE LAWYERS IN THIS TRIAL?
Leading Diddy's defence is Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer who has experience with high-profile cases.
Agnifilo previously defended cult leader Keith Raniere, convicted fraudster Martin Shkreli, and former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng.
He’s also representing Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive Brian Thompson.
Also on the legal team is Teny Geragos, the daughter of famous celebrity attorney Mark Geragos.
In the last few days, the prosecution has taken issue with the elder Geragos, because of content shared on his podcast, 2 Angry Men.
"I’m here to support my daughter. (Combs) is a friend,” he told CNN on Tuesday.
