Prosecutors in New York, gearing up for the sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, have requested the court to incorporate past evidence against the rap mogul, insisting that it is crucial to counter the testimonies of their four pivotal witnesses. However, Combs' defense team has vehemently opposed this move, contending that such a display would unfairly tarnish his image in the eyes of the jury, transforming the proceeding into a "horror show."
On Monday, federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York submitted a filing outlining their belief that testimony regarding Combs' "sexual abuse of other victims" spanning several years should be admissible and heard by the jury. They argue that this testimony will starkly contrast with the hip-hop star's claim that his relationships with the female victims were consensual.
"The newly introduced testimony unequivocally demonstrates that the defendant made no mistake when he coerced other victims into unwanted sex," prosecutors wrote in their recent filing. "It substantiates that the defendant intended to procure the sexual gratification he desired, regardless of consent."
The specific instances and sexual encounters that prosecutors intend to include in their case against Combs remain unclear, as much of the detailed indictment against the mogul has been redacted. Nevertheless, several accusations mirror those in the numerous civil lawsuits filed against the fallen music industry icon following his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura's suit in late 2023. Ventura, it was revealed last week, will testify using her real name, rather than anonymity, as the first of four witnesses in Combs' federal trial scheduled to commence on May 5. Combs faces five counts on three charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently awaiting trial in a Brooklyn jail.
The civil cases against Combs range from credible allegations to those already dismissed by the court, including one brought by a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted by Combs and rap star Jay-Z at Combs' home in 2000 following the MTV Video Music Awards. This dismissed case was filed by Texas attorney Anthony Busbee, who has represented several of Combs' accusers despite not being admitted to practice law in New York courts.
Combs' legal team is arguing that the new testimony should be excluded from the trial, refuting the prosecutors' assertion that the so-called "prior bad act" witnesses provide an accurate portrayal of him. They contend that including this testimony constitutes admitting evidence that is solely intended to prejudice the jury towards a conviction, effectively turning the trial into a government-orchestrated "horror show."
"These are entirely fresh, unverified, unsubstantiated, and uninvestigated allegations," the filing states. "All but one of the alleged incidents occurred over 20 years ago, with the oldest dating back to the 1980s. Some of the allegations are demonstrably false but would nonetheless consume a substantial amount of trial time to refute."
Prosecutors argue that the four witnesses tied to their indictment against Combs will testify about "years' worth of beatings, drug-induced coercive sex marathons, and multiple rapes." Defense attorneys have requested a preliminary hearing on the matter ahead of the early May trial. They also pointed out that prosecutors are withholding the list of names of individuals who will testify until April 18 – merely two weeks before the trial.
"The allegations implicate scores of unidentified witnesses and alleged co-conspirators worldwide – and some of the key witnesses to the supposed incidents are deceased," Combs' defense attorneys wrote. "Collectively, these new allegations would require many months, if not years, to investigate. If admitted, they would necessitate a series of mini-trials, undoubtedly doubling the length of a trial that the government originally estimated would last 'three weeks.'"
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Combs' legal team for further comment on Tuesday but did not receive an immediate response.
Last week, prosecutors filed a third superseding indictment adding two more charges. The indictment now accuses the rap mogul of one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation for prostitution related to the woman identified as "Victim 2."
"The government should not be allowed to taint the trial with decades of dirt and procure a conviction based on propensity evidence serving no legitimate purpose, by portraying Mr. Combs as a villain who must have committed the charged crimes," Combs' lawyers wrote.
