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The high-stakes trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has unfolded with all the spectacle of a courtroom drama, drawing national attention as allegations of abuse, misconduct, and power abuse are laid bare. Once considered untouchable in the worlds of music and business, Combs now finds himself at the center of a legal firestorm. As jury selection continues, an attorney and legal commentator gave insight into Combs’ defense. Here’s what he said about how the defense is “not the greatest PR move.”

An attorney says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defense must convince the jury that being a ‘freak’ isn’t a crime

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Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The indictment alleges that Combs used his status in the music industry to coerce women into drug-fueled sexual encounters, often under the guise of romantic relationships or career advancement. Prosecutors claim he employed threats, intimidation, and surreptitious recordings to maintain control over victims and suppress their testimonies.

Attorney and legal commentator Elie Honig spoke to Stephen A. Smith about Combs’ upcoming trial. Combs’ defense plans to argue that everything that happened between Combs and the alleged victims was consensual. Honig explained that the defense doesn’t make for “the greatest PR move” for Combs. But it makes sense to go in this direction due to the evidence.

“It’s a viable defense,” Honig said. ” … It’ll boil down to, maybe he’s a freak, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, but there’s no federal crime of being a freak. There’s no federal crime of having these sort of aggressive, unusual sexual appetites.”

However, Honig said that the defense won’t be “enough on its own” due to the victims and witnesses standing against Combs. “And so, they’re going to have to combine that maybe he’s a swinger, but that’s not a crime, with an attack on the victims in the courtroom.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs has a long road ahead of him, given the evidence and witnesses against him in his upcoming trial. Attorney Elie Honig said Combs’ legal team will likely try to discredit the witnesses. They can attempt to do this by suggesting the witnesses and victims have ulterior motives.

“They’re going to have to suggest that these victims, these witnesses, had bad motives, they’re looking for a payday, they made up stories about him, it became a pile-on, and they all sort of picked up on each other’s stories,” Honig said. “And that’s a common defense you see in these sorts of multi-victim, multi-witness cases. So, I think that’s exactly what the defense is going to be.”

The prosecution might move forward without ‘Victim 3’

According to the prosecution, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ racketeering charge claims Combs sex trafficked three victims. The indictment refers to the victims as Victim-1, Victim-2, and Victim-3. Oddly enough, the prosecution can’t seem to get a hold of Victim-3.

According to TMZ, prosecutors told the judge on day three of jury selection that they still have not gotten in touch with Victim-3. They have not identified Victim-3’s location or gotten in touch with their attorney. While the courts subpoenaed Victim-3, prosecutors warned that she might not show.

The judge pushed the prosecutors to get in touch with Victim-3 by any means possible. However, the trial might have to start without her.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. 

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