Cassie Ventura's lawyer has spoken out following the news that Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of two out of the five counts he was charged with.
The jury finally reached a verdict on Wednesday afternoon, following the high profile trial which has been ongoing for two months.
The criminal case built against Combs included one charge of racketeering conspiracy, plus two charges of both sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
In full, the five counts were as follows:
- Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy
- Count 2: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie)
- Count 3: Transportation to engage in prostitution – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie) and commercial sex workers
- Count 4: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”)
- Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”) and commercial sex workers
Combs has been found guilty of counts 3 and 5, and not guilty of the rest.
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Following the news, Cassie's lawyer Douglas H Wigdor told Sky News: "This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023.
"Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.
"By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.
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"We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client, who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial."
Cassie - who testified in the trial while heavily pregnant - had been in a relationship with Combs on and off for over 10 years.
She took to the stand to testify earlier this year, where she detailed her experience of the alleged 'freak off' parties and the abuse she claims to have suffered at the hands of Combs.
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A heavily pregnant Ventura - who spent four days on the witness stand - burst into tears when asked why she'd decided to testify in the case.
"I can't carry this anymore," she told the court, as per Sky News. "I can't carry the shame, the guilt, the way he treated people like they were disposable."
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Combs was arrested at the Park Hyatt hotel, in Manhattan on September 16, 2024, after a grand jury indictment.
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His lawyer Marc Agnifilo claimed that the music producer co-operated with the authorities and voluntarily relocated to the Big Apple in anticipation of the event.
Agnifilo said at the time: "These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court."
Topics: News, US News, Diddy, Cassie Ventura
Lucy Devine