On May 5, Diddy appeared at the Manhattan federal court, as jury selection commenced in his high-profile s*x trafficking case.
The legal team of the embattled American music mogul, Sean Combs, who is better known a Diddy, has stated their intention to argue that his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, was also involved in mutual acts of violence during their relationship.
On May 5, Diddy appeared at the Manhattan federal court, as jury selection commenced in his high-profile s*x trafficking case.
He pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of s*x trafficking and two counts of transportation for prostitution.
According to Reuters, Marc Agnifilo, the r*pper's lawyer, told Arun Subramanian, the presiding judge, during a pre-trial hearing on Friday that he plans to show there was mutual violence between his client and Cassie.
Cassie, who is a singer, is expected to testify as a witness for the prosecution.
Agnifilo also argued that Cassie's alleged history of violence would weaken the prosecution's case that she was a victim.
"I think we're probably going to refer to that as domestic violence," he said.
However, the judge expressed skepticism about allowing such claims into evidence and deferred a final ruling until Monday, when opening statements are expected to begin.
In May 2024, a shocking video from 2016 surfaced online of Diddy allegedly kicking, hitting, and dragging Cassie in a hotel hallway.
Shortly after the footage went viral, the music mogul publicly admitted to the attack.
Cassie thereafter accused him of r*pe, abuse, and human trafficking during their 10-year relationship. However, the lawsuit was settled shortly after.
Since then, multiple s*xual assault allegations have been filed against Combs.
He was accused of s*xually abusing 120 women and men, including a 9-year-old boy.
A man also alleged that Diddy drugged and r*ped him as a minor. The allegation came on the back of accusations by male victims who claimed the rapper drugged and r*ped them between 2019 and 2022.
The Bad Boy Records founder was arrested in Manhattan on September 16, 2024, and was indicted by prosecutors in the southern district of New York.
The rapper faces life in prison if convicted on the racketeering charge. He faces another statutory minimum of 15 years for the s*x trafficking charge.
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