Set off Warning: This text consists of references to sexual abuse.
In a key determination forward of Sean Diddy Combs’ upcoming trial, a Manhattan federal choose dominated that Cassie Ventura, referred to in court docket paperwork as Sufferer-1, should hand over all draft variations of her memoir to the protection.
Cassie had been attempting to keep away from this, however the choose sided with Diddy’s authorized group throughout a Friday listening to. Diddy, who appeared in court docket carrying a tan jumpsuit, faces critical costs together with s*x trafficking and racketeering.
Whereas this was a win for Diddy’s legal professionals, the choose denied their request for Cassie’s financial institution statements from a ten-month interval in 2023. U.S. District Decide Arun Subramanian known as the request a fishing expedition as reported by Advanced.
Decide Subramanian additionally dominated that three alleged victims, referred to in court docket papers as Sufferer-2, Sufferer-3, and Sufferer-4, will likely be allowed to testify with out revealing their names. Diddy’s authorized group solely agreed to Sufferer-2 remaining nameless. They objected to the anonymity of Victims 3 and 4, claiming that they had long-standing skilled relationships with Sean Diddy Combs.
The federal government acknowledged that Sufferer-3 had made public claims in opposition to Diddy earlier than, however said she didn’t disclose the total extent of the abuse. Decide Subramanian sided with the federal government, permitting all three to testify anonymously regardless of the protection’s objections.
Earlier this week, Sean Diddy Combs had requested for a two-month delay earlier than his trial, however the choose rejected that request on Friday. The trial will proceed as scheduled, with jury choice beginning on Might 5 and opening statements on Might 12.
In one other ruling, the choose ordered Warner Bros. Discovery at hand over outtakes from its docuseries The Loss of life of Diddy, regardless of objections from each the media firm and the federal government. These outtakes function interviews with two folks concerned within the collection.
A good portion of Friday’s listening to targeted on skilled testimony. The prosecution plans to name Dr. Daybreak Hughes to elucidate the idea of coercive management and why victims might keep in abusive relationships.
Nonetheless, Decide Subramanian said that the time period might be complicated to jurors. He mentioned he’s very prone to enable Dr. Hughes to testify however will restrict her subjects and prohibit the phrase ‘coercive management’.
Diddy’s group plans to name Dr. Alexander Sasha Bardley, who is predicted to argue that there is no such thing as a typical response to s*xual abuse. Diddy’s lawyer Alexandra Shapiro mentioned, “You’ll be able to’t attain…conclusions with out speaking to people.”
Disclaimer: For those who want help or know somebody who’s scuffling with home violence or assault or abuse, please attain out to your nearest psychological well being specialist, NGO or converse to somebody about it. There are a number of helplines accessible for a similar.
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