On the morning of May 13 (Vietnam time), the shocking sex case of hip-hop mogul Diddy opened its first trial. This is the most influential and serious criminal case in Hollywood in recent years. The trial has attracted the attention of the public around the world.

Diddy’s trial was not videotaped, per federal court rules. As a result, the proceedings shown are illustrative.

Illustrations created with AI

Here are nine highlights from the trial:

1. Jury Details

Before opening statements, Monday’s trial began with the final steps of jury selection. Last week, the court narrowed the jury pool to 43 people. The jury pool is made up of 12 people, eight men and four women. Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed Diddy’s claims of racial discrimination, saying the jury selection was race-neutral.

2. Diddy’s family shows support

Diddy entered the courtroom and greeted his family and friends with a big smile, patted his chest, gave a thumbs up and made a heart with both hands. There were 6 children, Diddy’s mother and sister there. Some of the children turned to Diddy and smiled. The “boss” also blew a kiss to his mother.

Diddy’s family outside court today

3. Detailed accounts of violence and sex forced Diddy’s daughter to leave

There, the jury heard detailed testimony about “freak offs,” prostitution, hidden cameras, drugs, baby oil, and more. The jury also considered evidence of violence, including video of Diddy beating Cassie Ventura and testimony from two witnesses.

During the detailed testimony, Diddy’s daughters stood up and left the courtroom. They returned briefly, leaving again during the detailed testimony about violence and sex. One of Diddy’s sons put his arm around her as some of the testimony was heard.

4. Testimony of the man hired by Diddy to sleep with his girlfriend Cassie Ventura

Witness Daniel Phillip, 41, said he was paid thousands of dollars between 2012 and 2014 to sleep with Cassie Ventura, while Diddy watched from a corner.

He then heard Cassie screaming as if she was being beaten by Diddy in another room. Another time, Cassie was also beaten, the couple walked out of the room and Cassie threw herself into Daniel Phillip’s arms in a state of trembling fear. After the incident, Daniel Phillip shared that he did not dare to report to the police because he was worried about his life. Because Diddy had taken a photo of his personal information before releasing him.

5. Release of video of Cassie being beaten by Diddy at hotel

This video was filmed in 2016 at a hotel in California, USA. Hotel security guard Israel Florez testified that Diddy beat Cassie. Cassie had a black eye and kept saying, “I just want to leave.” Diddy tried to bribe the security guard to keep quiet.

6. Diddy’s defense attorney questions accuser’s motives

They plan to question the accuser’s motives. “Diddy is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case. This case involves love, jealousy, infidelity and money,” said Geragos.

The attorney added that some of the accusers, including Cassie, went to civil lawyers to seek money, instead of going to law enforcement. “Everybody who testified had a motive,” she added.

7. Both sides agree Diddy committed the crime of violence.

Prosecutors have accused Diddy of being violent towards his former partners. Diddy’s lawyer acknowledged the allegations. “He was violent when he was drinking or using drugs and committed a crime of violence. However, that does not mean he committed a crime of extortion or sex trafficking,” Diddy’s lawyer said.

The lawyer clarified that the video of Diddy beating Cassie is evidence of abuse, but not evidence of sex trafficking. “He will be held accountable for what he did, but we will fight to free him for what he did not do,” the lawyer added.

8. Jury Watches Freak Offs Party Video

Prosecutors say Diddy used threats, violence, drugs and lies to coerce women into taking part in these “freak nights” — also known as “Wild King Nights” and “Hotel Nights” — which he then filmed for use as blackmail.

In contrast, the defense said “Freak Offs” were acts between willing adults acting of their own free will.

9. Prosecutors highlight 2 main accusers

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson, the case focuses primarily on two accusers: Cassie Ventura and a woman identified only as “Jane.” Emily Johnson said Diddy coerced the two women into participating in multi-day “Freak Offs” that took place across the country. Diddy’s employees organized the trips, and the rapper’s businesses paid for them “like a criminal enterprise.”

Cassie Ventura first met Diddy in 2006, when she was a 19-year-old model and aspiring singer with a hit song. Diddy was 17 years her senior. They started dating within a year of Cassie signing to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. They dated on and off until 2018.

Prosecutors said Diddy repeatedly abused Cassie. In 2009, Diddy wrestled Cassie to the floor in an SUV and stomped on her face. When Combs learned Ventura was seeing another man, Diddy beat Cassie severely, throwing her around like a rag doll. She was also beaten for minor offenses like not answering the phone or taking too long to go to the bathroom. Diddy also forced a male prostitute to act inappropriately toward Cassie.

“If Cassie did not do what the defendant wanted, the consequences would have been severe,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson. Prosecutors said Diddy used his power and control over Cassie to get her to do his bidding in dark hotel rooms.

Cassie Ventura is the first major accuser

The other main accuser, known as Jane, began dating Combs in 2020. Diddy promised that if they attended “Freak Offs,” they would spend quality time together, but that was a lie. Instead, Diddy allegedly forced her to take drugs and stay up for days at a time.

Less than a year ago, Diddy and Jane got into a fight at her house. Jane tried to run out the door, but Diddy grabbed her, choked her, lifted her up, and threw her to the ground. That night, Diddy forced her to attend Freak Offs.

A third woman, an employee who was sexually assaulted by Diddy, is also expected to testify.

Besides Cassie, there was “Jane” and another woman who also joined in accusing Diddy (Illustration image created with AI)

Forced or Consensual?

That was the central question for a federal jury on the first day of Diddy’s extortion and sex trafficking trial. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to commit extortion, sex trafficking and two counts of transporting a person to engage in prostitution. If convicted, Diddy could face up to life in prison.

Source: CNN