Prosecutors make closing arguments in six-week trial that heard harrowing testimony from individuals who confronted alleged abuse.
United States prosecutors argued that Sean “Diddy” Combs used his wealth and affect to evade accountability for violently abusing ladies in closing arguments within the leisure mogul’s trial.
Prosecutors advised the jury on Thursday that Combs, who has pleaded not responsible to costs of intercourse trafficking and racketeering, oversaw an enormous prison conspiracy.
“The defendant used energy, violence and concern to get what he wished,” prosecutor Christy Slavik advised jurors in her tackle. “He thought that his fame, wealth and energy put him above the regulation.”
The trial of the billionaire former rapper, a central determine within the rise of hip-hop in US standard tradition, has included harrowing testimony from ladies who described an environment of cruelty, exploitation, and intimidation.
Over six weeks of testimony, prosecutors additionally stated that Combs pushed folks to take part in drug-fuelled intercourse events often called “freak offs”, with footage of individuals engaged in intercourse acts then used as leverage by Combs.
Slavik stated that Combs “many times compelled, threatened and manipulated” singer and former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura to have intercourse with escorts for his personal leisure and used a “small military of staff” from his leisure empire to cowl up abuses and intimidate anybody who tried to push again.
Combs sat along with his head down whereas Slavik made her remarks earlier than the jury, sporting a light-coloured sweater and khaki trousers. His attorneys have argued that whereas Combs has a violent temperament and has dedicated violent acts in opposition to romantic companions, prosecutors have misrepresented a sexually unorthodox life-style as proof of crimes equivalent to racketeering and trafficking.
Decide Arun Subramanian advised the jury that they’d hear last statements from the defence on Friday, with the prosecution given an opportunity to supply a rebuttal earlier than jurors are instructed on their obligations and despatched to start deliberation.
The jury is anticipated to start deliberations on Friday or Monday, and Combs faces a minimal of 15 years in jail if he’s convicted on all counts.
