Diddy verdict looms: Will music mogul face life in prison or walk free?
It has been seven weeks of revealing testimony in the Diddy trial. The federal trial of hip hop royalty, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, will come to a dramatic end this week.
The rapper and producer faces charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution, stemming from allegations that he led a criminal enterprise spanning decades. The hip hop legend could do life in prison should he be found guilty.
The prosecution presented 34 witnesses and has since rested. The list of witnesses included former partners, sex workers, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, and a woman whose identity has been protected and is identified as Jane or Jane Doe.
These women testified to being coerced into sexual encounters that were driven by drugs, and that these instances often involved escorts and lavish 'freak-off' parties. Video footage was also introduced along with text messages and financial records to further drive home allegations around abuse, intimidation, and manipulation.
The rapper's defence team elected to present no witnesses. Diddy did not take the stand either. His lawyers focused their energies on cross-examination and introduced evidence to illustrate how these encounters were consensual.
Diddy told the judge that the choice not to take the stand was solely his decision after intensive deliberation with his counsel.
A few of the allegations against the man who unearthed talents like The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige have been dropped. These include allegations of attempted kidnapping, attempted arson involving rapper Kid Cudi, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking.
The prosecution will set out to cement the portrait they have painted of Diddy as a violent predator. A person who uses his influence and his social cache to take advantage of women. The defence will attempt to convince the jury that Diddy is a victim of opportunistic individuals whose motivation is centred on resentments and fiscal gains.
If the Bad Boy Entertainment founder is found guilty, he could face life in prison. More than just his freedom hangs in the balance as a guilty verdict could have detrimental implications for his legacy as a legend in the hip hop industry.
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