Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial begins with opening statements

Sean “Diddy” Combs trial began just before 11 a.m. where the prosecutor and assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson made her opening statement.

Diddy case opening statement by prosecutor:

Johnson began by pointing to Combs in front of the jury, labelling him “larger than life” who had “another side to him, a side that ran a criminal enterprise.”

Additionally, Johnson made a claim that the disgraced music mogul “didn’t do it alone,” adding, “He had an inner circle of bodyguards and high-ranking employees who helped him commit crimes and cover them up.”

The crimes being referred to included kidnapping, sexual abuse, drugs, bribery, arson and obstruction.

She also added that the case was definitely “not about a celebrity’s sexual preferences,” and ahead of Diddy’s potential defense, she detailed the infamous “freak-offs” as the center of the case.

As per The New York Times, Johnson stated that women were forced to have sex with Diddy, were threatened, forced to consume drugs and even physical violence was used to coerce them.

Bringing Casandra Ventura, who is Diddy’s ex and is set to testify at the trial, into account, Johnson mentioned that the reason she was associated with the freak offs initially because she loved Combs but “knew it was not something she wanted to do,” however it was then claimed that Ventura had realized “she had no choice but to agree.”

Diddy’s reaction to prosecutors’ claims:

Courthouse News reported that Diddy was observed sitting stone-faced with his hands on his laps as prosecutors details the alleged abuse and sexual coercion his longtime ex, Cassie Ventura endured.

"Time and again, the defendant hit Cassie in the head, threw her to the floor and dragged her by the hair…Stomped repeatedly on her face. The defendant’s control, the defendant’s violence, and the defendant’s threats - That is how the defendant ensured Cassie could not say no to him," the prosecutors said.

Diddy case prosecution and defense team:

The prosecution team consists of eight assistant US attorneys, seven of whom are women.

The opening statement was delivered by prosecutor Emily Johnson.

Maurene Ryan Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, is also on the team of prosecutors.

While Sean “Diddy” Combs’ team is comprised of seven attorneys being led by the New York lawyer Marc Agnifilo, whose wife, Karen Agnifilo is famously defending Luigi Mangione, who is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.