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Federal prosecutors proposed moving forward today at Diddy’s sex trafficking trial, calling three witnesses who testified how the music tycoon controlled his long-term girlfriend, R&B singer and model Casandra Ventura.
As a principal witness to the government, Ventura testified without hesitation last week in an unpaid male escort, saying Didi forced her to endure it under physical and psychological abuse.
Along with today's witnesses, the government attempts to strengthen its allegations. The last witness of the day, David Jamesa personal assistant who worked at Diddy from 2007 to 2009, told about his job sobbing in the stands during an interview: There was a picture of Diddy on the wall, James said he was told: "This is Mr. Coms' kingdom, and we are all here to serve."
Diddy's team brought a keen interest in today's questioning Richard, and seemed to poke a sigh of relief in her testimony. This is the first time we have seen a very radical cross-examination of the defense.
Defense Attorney Nicole Westmoreland When she spoke to her in Richard's own words, she had multiple microphone moments and raised conflicts when Richard recalled the incident about the 2009 incident when she said Diddy attacked Ventura with an egg frying pan. On Friday, Richard testified that Diddy tried to hit Chinese Tula with a frying pan, unlike previous statements, and Richard said he did hit her, and when she said Diddy threw the egg, he did hit her before putting it down. On redirection, Richard told prosecutors Mitzi Steiner She tried to “delete these things from my memory”, but “every day, I remember certain things.”
In other news: Before the jury is brought into Richard's testimony Judge Arun Subramanian Question the value of some content that can be shared in the stands. He warned that relying on rumored testimony: “I was shocked by the case based on gossip.”
Marc Agnifiloone of Didi's lawyers replied that he was worried that the testimony would be biased against his clients. "I think it's getting a little bit good," he said.
James testified today that he suggested she leave the "party life" with Diddy, while Ventura told him that she relied on Diddy's career, her home and salary. This sounds like a "mandatory" environment. Moreover, “coercion” is a necessary element in allegations of sexual trafficking. But is this the kind of “coercion” envisioned by sex trafficking laws?
Trafficking under Diddy's alleged law includes the use of "force, threat of force, fraud, coercion... or any combination of such means" "induce (a) persons to engage in commercial sexual acts". The Act defines “coercion” as “a threat that causes serious harm or physical limitation to anyone” or “any plan, plan or pattern designed to convince a person that failure to perform an act will result in serious harm or physical limitation to anyone.”
There is no doubt that Didi physically abused Ventura. We saw a lot in the infamous hotel beat video. Her testimony about harm and restriction may satisfy the “coercive” factor. But, based on her career, is her home and salary “coercion” for sexual trafficking purposes? Probably not.
The government will certainly clarify this in its ending argument: jurors should focus on violent coercion rather than defending possible arguments that relying solely is not enough - because that is not enough.
James will return to the stands tomorrow. Other expected witnesses in the coming days include Shay Hayesan exotic dancer; Queen Ventulathe mother of Cassie Ventura; and Jordan Atkinsononce Didi's personal chef.
PSA: Every night, at the trial of DIDDY, NBC’s “Dateline” will abandon the special episodes of the “True Crime Weekly” podcast to enable you to speed up the case. "Dateline" correspondent Andrea Canned Chat with NBC News Chloe Melas and special guests - right in front of the court. Listen here.