(New York) The Hip-Hop P. Diddy magnate was acquitted on Wednesday of sexual traffic and association of criminals, the most important accusations brought against him, but found guilty of transport for prostitution purposes at the end of a hypermediatal trial in New York.
This verdict closes weeks of debate, during which testimonies sometimes difficult to hear and muscular pleadings followed one another, P. Diddy being accused of having forced women of engaging in sexual marathons with prostituted men.
Sean Combs, whose real name was finally found guilty of transporting people for prostitution purposes, which implies the displacement from one person from one state to another according to American law and could be worth a total of up to 20 years in prison.
But he was acquitted at the same time by the 12 jurors of the main counts, including sexual traffic and association of criminals, a crime punishable by life imprisonment.
Shortly before the jury’s decision, P. Diddy had prayed in court looking at his family on the spot. “God, please, watch over my family,” he said.
PHOTO BRENDAN MCDERMID, REUTERS
Janice Combs, the mother of the former hip-hop magnate, when he left the court
And after the verdict, he joined his hands as if he prayed towards the judge and the jury, in a sign of thanks and relief.
P. Diddy’s lawyers, imprisoned for months in a Brooklyn prison, must later submit a parole request to day and have committed to submitting his passport and depositing a deposit of $ 1 million.
But “it is clear that the defendant poses a danger […]. He may try to flee justice. He does not respect the laws, “retorted the prosecutor Maurene Comey, saying that Sean Combs deserved a” long “penalty of imprisonment.
Aged now 55, P. Diddy was accused of having forced women – including her girlfriend from 2007 to 2018, the singer Cassie, and a former more recent companion who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” – to engage in sexual marathons with prostituted men while he masturbated or filmed. And also to have set up a criminal network, of which he was at the head, to organize these marathons called “Freak-Offs”.
“Expected change”
In 2023, his ex-partner Cassie filed a complaint against him in a civilian for rape dating back to 2018, and accused him of having had a “violent behavior” and “deviating” for a decade, like forced sex with prostituted men. If the case is settled in 24 hours, “amicably”, according to a confidential agreement, it gives rise to other complaints, having led to this criminal trial at the Manhattan court.
PHOTO YUKI IWAMURA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
A supporter of Sean “Diddy” Combs reacts to the verdict.
“Benefiting from her experience, Cassie left an indelible footprint on the entertainment industry and the fight for justice” and has shown “exemplary courage” and “undeniable force,” said his lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor in a statement transmitted to AFP.
“However, this case has proven that a change has been expected for a long time. We will continue to fight for the survivors of sexual crimes, he added.
“Translate the [auteurs] Sexual crimes demands that courageous victims manifest themselves and tell their heartbreaking stories. We and our police partners recognize the difficulties endured by the victims […] “Commented Manhattan prosecutor Jay Clayton, whose team led the accusation against P. Diddy.
During the trial, P. Diddy’s lawyers had done everything to discredit the dependent witnesses, including Cassie, to try to show that their client had a “polyamatrous” lifestyle which does not fall under criminal law.
Cassie and Jane admitted that their respective relationship involved love, but that they were at the same time subject to threats linked to their reputation, their financial situation and their physical integrity.
The jurors have viewed recordings of these sex marathons, as well as the recording of surveillance cameras of a los Angeles hotel showing the hip-hop magnate dragging on the ground Cassie and driving it.
« Il [P. Diddy] had so far beyond the limits that he could not even see them anymore, “said the prosecutor Maurene Comey, saying that the rapper felt” untouchable “. “But the accused is not God,” she said to the jury, hoping, without success, a conviction for all the counts.
