Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs appeared in court as his trial began today.
The rapper’s family – including his mum and six of his children – filled the New York City courthouse as opening statements were read out.
It comes after the jury selection was finalised, commencing what has been called America’s celebrity trial of the century.
However, it already faced a delay with the final decisions of the selection postponed until today due to concerns that jurors might drop out over the weekend if the panel was finalised on Friday as originally planned.
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Combs’s defence team had requested the delay, but prosecutors had opposed the postponement. The 55-year-old music mogul is accused of a number of serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has continued to deny all allegations against him since he was charged and put behind bars last year, with his multiple bail pleas rejected.
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AFP via Getty Images)
The Last Night rapper believes the jury will clear him of the damning allegations made agaist him, with the 12 people on the jury set to hear shocking evidence that could potentially put the star away for life.
Federal prosecutors in New York alleged Combs “abused, threatened and coerced women” into long, drug-fuelled orgies with male prostitutes he called “freak offs” and even threatened them into silence.
The indictment against him stated: “After Freak Offs, Combs and the victims typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use.”
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AFP via Getty Images)
He pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution charges, which is five counts in all.
Meanwhile, his defence attorneys, including Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, has claimed his sexual encounters have all been consensual and said the rapper is a swinger who sometimes invited people into his bedroom.
* If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
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Source: Mirror
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