By Larry Neumeister and Michael R. Sisak
NEW YORK (AP) The hip-hop mogul’s ex-longtime lover Cassie is one of the prosecution’s most crucial witnesses, and on Tuesday, the jury deliberating at Sean Diddy Combs’ sex trafficking trial requested to hear crucial testimony from her.
About 75 minutes into their second day of deliberating the allegations that Combs exploited his fame, fortune, and violence to coerce two girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons with male sex workers, often known as freak-offs or hotel nights, jurors asked for the testimony.
The panel, which consisted of eight men and four women, asked Cassie to describe how Combs dragged, kicked, and beat her at a hotel in Los Angeles in 2016. The attack was caught on now-famous security camera footage.
Additionally, they requested to witness Cassie’s evidence regarding an incident at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in France where she said Combs booted her off their yacht after accusing her of stealing cocaine from him. She claimed he threatened to expose explicit videos of her having sex while they were traveling back to the United States.
The jury also requested testimony from Cassie and dancer Daniel Phillip regarding her leaping into his lap at a hotel in New York City after Phillip claimed to have suspected Combs of slapping and slamming her around a nearby room.
Phillip, who had been at the hotel for a sexual encounter with Cassie somewhere between 2012 and 2014, described how her entire body was trembling, as if she was afraid.
According to Phillip’s testimony, he questioned R&B singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, about why she was with Combs if he was abusing her. He claimed to have warned her that she was in grave danger. He claimed that Cassie essentially made an effort to reassure me that everything was fine. I’ll be alright, I’m fine.
Last Monday, during the first week of the trial, Phillip and Cassie gave their testimonies.
Shortly after Combs’ attorneys and prosecution started the day arguing with Judge Arun Subramanian about a juror question that remained from the conclusion of Monday’s first day of deliberations, the jury was asked to testify.
In order to decide whether Combs may be found guilty or not on the racketeering conspiracy allegation, jurors sought clarification on the definition of drug distribution.
Before the jury began deliberating on Monday, Subramanian promised to remind them of the instructions he had given them regarding that aspect of the case. Although Combs’ attorneys had advocated for a more comprehensive answer, prosecutors contended—and Subramanian concurred—that doing so may further perplex jurors.
After five hours of deliberation on Monday, the panel failed to reach a decision.
Prosecutors are attempting to criminalize Combs’ swinger lifestyle, according to defense attorneys. They claim that Combs’ actions amounted to domestic abuse rather than federal offenses.
If found guilty of all charges, Combs, 55, could spend 15 years to life in prison. As he has done throughout the trial, Combs had a lengthy conversation with his attorneys on how to react to the jury’s request. A moment later, he bent forward to examine something on the screen of the computer in front of him.
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Combs declined to testify after entering a not guilty plea because his attorneys primarily used extensive cross-examinations of dozens of witnesses—including some of Combs’ former employees—who reluctantly testified only after being granted immunity to support their acquittal arguments.
Combs sat slouched in his chair at the defense table for a time before getting up and facing three rows of onlookers, including his family and friends, as jurors initially left the room to start deliberate on Monday.
Several feet away in the courtroom well, Combs joined those supporters in lowering their heads and holding hands in prayer. Together, they applauded when they were done, and Combs continued to clap as he turned back to face the front of the room.
Additionally, Combs displayed two books he was reading: Shawn Achor’s The Happiness Advantage and Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking.
Less than an hour into the deliberations, the jury foreperson complained to the court in a note that one juror, in particular, was not following your Honor’s directions. Would you please interview your honor, or may I talk with him?
Instead, the jurors received a memo from the judge reminding them of their responsibilities to consider and to adhere to his legal instructions.
The jury appeared to be back on track by the end of the day, sending the memo on drug distribution.