Prosecutors Drop Several Charges From Diddy Sex Trafficking Trial: What Charges Remain?
There’s been a change to the proceedings in the ongoing Sean “Diddy” Combs trial.
The day before closing arguments in the 55-year-old music mogul’s federal criminal trial in New York City, prosecutors have pulled back on some key testimony during the trial, specifically kidnapping, attempted arson, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking, per TMZ.
Prosecutors said in a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian that the government is following His Honor’s instructions to “streamline” the jury instructions.
Keep reading to find out more…
They seemingly feel unable to prove Diddy kidnapped former employee Capricorn Clark, who was reportedly taken to a building and given a lie detector test to determine if she stole Diddy‘s jewelry, and that he allegedly kidnapped ex Cassie and held her at the London Hotel.
Prosecutors are also not pursuing the attempted arson claim that Diddy blew up Kid Cudi‘s car in a jealous rage due to ex Cassie‘s relationship with the rapper.
Both of these charges relate to the racketeering charge Diddy faces.
As for the aiding and abetting sex trafficking charge, prosecutors didn’t explain what elements of sex trafficking they will remove from the jury instructions.
Prosecutors are not dropping the various sex trafficking charges, only elements of them, and specifically aiding and abetting, per the report.
Prosecutors added in their letter they want an instruction that just because women (Cassie and witness “Jane“) gave prior consent to sexual acts, it does not mean that it can never be withdrawn.
They also say jurors should be told just because a woman (“Jane”) received compensation, “does not preclude a finding of forced labor (which relates to sex trafficking).”
Prosecutors also want jurors to know neither physical restraint of the alleged victims nor commercial sex acts are required to prove coercion in sex trafficking.
Find out why a juror was dismissed and replaced during the trial.