Diddy Trial Rocks Hollywood as Long-Hidden Pictures Surface, Legal Experts Weigh In
What’s going on, everyone? We’re covering the latest developments from the Diddy trial, where some new pictures Diddy apparently didn’t want you to see are circulating online. These images, resurfacing a decade after he reportedly posted and then swiftly deleted them, show scenes from a wild night in Ibiza, Spain, on August 1st, 2014.
The resurfaced photo captures Diddy, his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and other high-profile figures like Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, along with pop superstar Justin Bieber, who was only 20 at the time. Other attendees included supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner, Zac Efron, Jared Leto, and Paris Hilton. One image reportedly shows Kate Moss appearing completely passed out or “blacked out”. While it’s clear these individuals were partying and hanging out, we have to ask, is any of that illegal? Sure, drugs are, but the question remains about the state’s actual case.
After two days of testimony, we’re hearing from legal experts who believe Diddy might walk. Many, ourselves included, don’t deny Diddy is a degenerate involved in “sick stuff”. The question is whether anyone else involved was there against their will. So far, we’re not seeing evidence of that; instead, we see people who participated in “degenerate acts” seemingly regretting them later. His ex-girlfriend Cassie, a multimillionaire, could have left at any time but never did, even while willingly participating in disturbing acts. The prostitutes brought up in testimony were paid. The “worst crime” the prosecution seems to have presented so far, in our view, is hiring prostitutes, which is a far cry from the life sentence Diddy could face. We note that James Comey’s daughter is reportedly in charge of this case.
On day two, Cassie Ventura, who is eight and a half months pregnant, gave tearful testimony detailing alleged incidents and “deviant manipulation” by Diddy. While it’s “very very obvious” Diddy was abusive and a “creep,” and the defense isn’t even denying the CNN footage of him assaulting Cassie, that’s not what he’s on trial for. He’s not facing assault or blackmail charges; he’s facing racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
We haven’t heard anything related to racketeering or sex trafficking presented in the public courtroom yet. While it appears he did pay sex workers to have sex with Cassie, the key point for the prosecution is proving they were transported or trafficked, not just hired. Hiring prostitutes is a crime, but not the one he’s primarily charged with. Prosecutors need to address whether the women were transported; that’s a crucial point we’re waiting to hear. They still have time, as it’s early, but they need to “ramp it up” if they want a conviction, proving the racketeering and trafficking charges.
Good Logic, a lawyer present at the trial, shared his perspective, which we find insightful. He reports that after opening statements and polling people in the room, things look “difficult for the state”. There are five charges:
- Racketeering: Maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment.
- Two charges of Sexual Trafficking: Minimum 15 years, maximum life sentence each.
- Two charges for Transportation Across State Lines for Purposes of Prostitution: Maximum 10 years imprisonment each.
The primary difficulty for the state with the racketeering and sex trafficking charges (the first three, carrying potential life sentences) is that the alleged victims were not just active participants in sexual acts but also participated numerous times, arranging, coordinating, and even selecting partners. For a conviction, the state must convince a jury they were doing all this while under Diddy’s “compulsion and coerced”. This is a “difficult sell” when the defense can argue they wanted to be around him, loved his power and charisma. We agree with this assessment.
On the other hand, the defense’s explanation for the transportation charges seemed perplexing during opening statements. The defense argued that people spending their time expect compensation based on time, skill, and experience, which we pointed out sounds exactly like prostitution and not a defense. Good Logic feels Diddy has “very strong defenses” against the first three major charges but “very slim defenses” regarding the last two charges, which carry a maximum of 10 years each.
Cassie Ventura has been on the stand for nearly a full day providing direct testimony. As of day three, the alleged rape from 2018 had not yet been discussed, with testimony seemingly moving chronologically and currently reviewing the Intercontinental Hotel incident (the infamous attack caught on camera). This incident is a crime, but it’s not the specific charges Diddy is facing. Cassie is expected to remain on the stand for possibly the entire day. Cross-examination will be difficult for the defense, as they must try to challenge her story without making her appear more sympathetic, especially given her pregnancy.
Right now, things are looking “pretty shaky” for the prosecution’s case for a conviction on the main charges. Unless we see more evidence presented, we’re questioning whether they can secure a conviction, especially for the severe charges he’s facing. It remains to be seen how the rest of the trial unfolds and what the judge might ultimately sentence if he is convicted on some charges.
