Just a few days after the jury selection begins in the expected federal trial for trafficking in persons against Sean “Diddy” Combsthe music and business producer publicly confirmed that he rejected an agreement offered by the Prosecutor’s Office to avoid reaching trial.
“Yes, I did,” combs combs with glasses on the Manhattan court this Thursday, May 1, at the direct question of the federal judge Arun Subramanian.
The treatment, whose existence was revealed by a prosecutor during a hearing on April 25, would have reduced the artist’s potential penalty in exchange for a guilty statement.
According to the medium Deadlinesources close to the case told them that the 55 -year -old would have rejected the agreement because he wishes to defend his innocence before the jury.
The founder of Bad Boy Records Face serious charges that include illegal association, trafficking in persons and transportation for prostitution purposes. If he is convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Since his arrest in September 2024, he has been arrested in a low security unit of the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center. Besides, Sean “Diddy” Combs He has denied all the accusations, stating that the relationships were agreed.
One of the most important turns of the case is the participation of Cassie Venturaformer partner of the music producer and who recently resolved a demand for aggression and abuse for 30 million dollars.
Ventura, identified by prosecutors as “victim-1”, will testify with a name and surname during the trial. In addition, the judge has authorized that a 2016 security video is presented as evidenced in which combs is seen hitting and dragging it down the hall of a hotel in Los Angeles.
The images were disseminated by CNN last year and, despite the attempts of the rapper’s legal team for invalidating them, they will be shown to the jury.
Despite what Sean “Diddy” Combs Initially he apologized for the video on social networks, then eliminated his message. According to reports, he would have bought the recording for 50 thousand dollars just one day after the incident.
In addition, the artist’s lawyers questioned the authenticity of the video, arguing that he presents distortions, was edited, and that the recording custody chain is doubtful.
Judge Subramanian has reiterated his intention that the jury selection begins on May 5 and that the opening statements begin on the 12th of the same month.
The hearing this Thursday, May 1 focused on selection procedures, which will include individual and private interrogations to candidates to protect their privacy, given the delicate accusations.
It is expected that some 150 people will be interviewed to form a jury of 12 holders and several substitutes. The process will continue at least three days, with interrogations in private when necessary.
Meanwhile, the defense of combs, headed by lawyers Marc Agnifilo y Words of GeragosHe has argued that the authorities are using “racist” laws and registration orders “unconstitutionally broad” to attack their client.
Despite multiple failed attempts to obtain bail or exclude evidence, this week they managed to dress common clothes – without a penitentiary uniform – during the trial, although he will continue to wear his white hair, as arrested.
For the first time in the process, no close relative of the artist was present at the Audience on Thursday. Only a self -denominated “Breeding brother” was in the room and received a combs greeting from the defense table.
It should be remembered that Sean Diddy Combs He requested to delay the start of the trial for two months, arguing that the recent inclusion of new positions against him implies “substantially different behavior” for which he needs more preparation time. However, the Prosecutor’s Office argues that it is an already documented pattern.
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