In closing arguments, Diddy lawyer says Cassie relationship was a ‘nice trendy love story’
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Right now, jurors in Diddy’s trial heard closing arguments from protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo. Agnifilo, who addressed the panel for 4 hours, forcefully and generally derisively pushed again on the U.S. authorities’s “exaggerated” narrative. He asserted that Diddy was being unfairly persecuted for his sexual “way of life,” insisting that his consumer was harmless of all expenses.
Agnifilo stated the protection doesn’t dispute that Diddy bodily assaulted his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. (“We personal the home violence,” Agnifilo stated. “I hope you guys know that.”) However the rapper “didn’t do the issues he’s charged with, racketeering or intercourse trafficking,” the lawyer added. “He’s going to battle to the dying to defend himself towards what he didn’t do.”
The prosecution crew alleges that Diddy sex-trafficked Ventura and one other ex-girlfriend, “Jane,” forcing them to take part within the drug-dazed “freak offs” on the coronary heart of the case. Agnifilo rejected that model of occasions, referring to Diddy’s relationship with Ventura as “an excellent trendy love story” between two “swingers.”
Agnifilo argued that each girls have been consenting and generally enthusiastic individuals in “freak offs,” which the lawyer characterised as nice evenings in “stunning resort rooms.” He tried to downplay the marathon sexual encounters, together with the truth that Diddy recorded them on video. “He’s not the one man in America making selfmade porn,” Agnifilo stated.
In closing, Agnifilo implored the jury to “summon the braveness” and acquit Diddy. “I’m asking you to acquit Sean Combs of all of the counts. He’s not a racketeer,” Agnifilo stated. “He sits there harmless, so return him to his household.”
What’s subsequent: The jury will get the case very first thing Monday, Subramanian confirmed this afternoon. Then it may possibly begin deliberations. We’ll hold you up to date on all the important thing developments.
The view from inside
By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and Jing Feng
Agnifilo spoke animatedly, often utilizing a biting and jocular tone to convey skepticism in regards to the authorities’s case towards his consumer.
In a single notable second, Agnifilo appeared to mock the federal legislation enforcement officers who searched Diddy’s homes, remarking that the brokers made America “secure from Astroglide,” the lubricant model the rapper used for “freak offs” with ex-girlfriends and male escorts. “Solution to go, fellas,” Agnifilo stated. “You guys simply do you.”
When the jurors have been on a break, Maurene Comey, one of many prosecutors, complained to Decide Arun Subramanian about Agnifilo’s tone. “Respectfully,” Agnifilo replied, “I feel I’m allowed to be sarcastic.”
Within the prosecution’s rebuttal, Comey stated Diddy’s protection crew served up “lies” and “excuse after excuse” for the defendant’s “inexcusable conduct.” She added: “Make no mistake, this trial was how, in Sean Combs’ world, ‘no’ was by no means an choice.”
In different information: Diddy, sitting near the protection desk, appeared engaged throughout Agnifilo’s summation — a pointy distinction along with his usually downcast look throughout prosecutor Christy Slavik’s closing arguments yesterday. The music tycoon acknowledged his household within the courtroom earlier within the day, forming his arms right into a coronary heart and giving them a thumb-up.
PSA: Each night time throughout Diddy’s trial, NBC’s “Dateline” will drop particular episodes of the “True Crime Weekly” podcast to get you up to the mark. “Dateline” correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC Information’ Chloe Melas and particular visitors — proper in entrance of the courthouse. Pay attention right here.