Sean "Diddy" Combs’ sex trafficking trial began with opening statements on May 12, during which the prosecution detailed the rapper's alleged assault on former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial has officially begun.

The May 12 court appearance marked the beginning of the rapper’s trial for racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs’ sons Christian “King” Combs, Justin Combs and Quincy Brown, as well as his daughters Chance Combs, Jessie Combs and D’Lila Combs were on hand at New York's Federal District Courthouse in lower Manhattan to support their father.

During opening statements, prosecutor Emily Johnson addressed Combs' relationship with ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, including a night that the mogul was allegedly "on the hunt" for the singer after learning she'd moved on.

"When he finally found her, he beat her brutally," Johnson said, per NBC News, "kicking her in the back and flinging her around like a rag doll."

As Johnson told the court, Combs had to "make sure he had control over Cassie once again."

"So he threatened her and said if she defies her again, he will release video of her having sex with male escorts," Johnson said. "Souvenirs of the most humiliating nights of her life."

E! News has reached out to Ventura’s team for comment on the courtroom allegations and has not heard back.

Throughout jury selection, which began on May 5 in New York, prospective jurors were shown a list of more than 100 names of people and places that may be referenced in the trial overseen by judge Arun Subramanian. Names on the list included Michael B. Jordan, Mike Meyers and Kanye West—who are not implicated in the case but were posed for impartiality purposes—according to NBC News.

They also listed the names of the women who have taken legal action against Combs, including Cassie and Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard who have both accused the rapper of sexual abuse in separate lawsuits.

The father of seven has been supported by his family while he is in jail, including his mother Janice Combs and his children.

Janice joined Combs' kids Chance, 18 age,—who he shares with ex Sarah Chapman—and Christian, 27, his eldest with late ex Kim Porter, attended the March 14 arraignment.

The March filing, obtained by NBC News, alleged that Combs “maintained control” over employees “whom he forced to work long hours with little sleep, through use of, among other things, physical force, psychological harm, financial harm, and reputational harm, and/or threats of the same.”

The father of seven has been supported by his family while he is in jail, including his mother Janice Combs and his children.

Janice joined Combs' kids Chance, 18 age,—who he shares with ex Sarah Chapman—and Christian, 27, his eldest with late ex Kim Porter, attended the March 14 arraignment.

The March filing, obtained by NBC News, alleged that Combs “maintained control” over employees “whom he forced to work long hours with little sleep, through use of, among other things, physical force, psychological harm, financial harm, and reputational harm, and/or threats of the same.”

Combs’ legal team, in response, argued that their client “vehemently denies the accusations” in the indictment. Agnifilio added that the music mogul’s former employees “stand by his side, prepared to attest to the dedication, hard work and inspiration they experienced while helping build groundbreaking, award-winning businesses."

Source:
courtesy of E!ONLINE

by Sydney Kerr

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