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The jury in the Sean Combs case for sex trade and blackmail focuses particularly on the statements of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura regarding two key moments. The so-called “freak-offs”, which the public prosecutor classifies as a clear examples of sexual human trafficking through Combs.
Focus on statements about Cannes trip and hotel incidents
On Tuesday, the second day of the consultations, the jury asked for three different sections of Venturas. This includes the events surrounding the incident in the Intercontinental Hotel in March 2016, where Combs can be seen on video on how to kick Ventura during a freak-off, trampled and drags back into the hotels suite.
The jury also called for Ventura’s statement on the trip of the couple to Cannes in May 2012. Ventura stated that Combs had thrown her from a yacht during a day-long argument-without a pass-at a film premiere, she pressed her fingernails into her skin and she mocked during a flight by playing freak-off videos of her that she thought that was deleted.
“We ended up in New York, went to dinner, and he wanted a freak-off-so we had a freak-off,” said Ventura. She explained that she agreed because “at that time she was ready to do everything that prevented him from being angry with me and threatening me.”
The jury also called for Ventura’s statements – if available – about her interactions with Daniel Phillip, a male entertainer who had testified in the process. The jury also wanted to check Phillip’s statements about his alleged freak-offs with Ventura and Combs in the Essex Hotel.
Shaking descriptions of violence
Phillip said he met the couple at least twice in the essex hotel for freak-offs. At one of these meetings, Ventura suddenly started screaming: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” before hearing, “as it sounded as if she was beating and … thrown around in the room.” Shortly afterwards, an almost naked Combs stormed out of the room, and a “trembling” and “frightened” Ventura jumped into his arms.
The inquiries indicate that the committee focuses on two central freak-offs that were emphasized by the state prosecutors Christy Slavik and Maurene Comey in their final plates. Comey explained that these events were clear evidence that Ventura was forced to participate by threats and physical violence. The indictment also referred to a third alleged example of sex trade in 2013 with Ventura and Phillip.
Phillip described that he was in Ventura’s apartment in New York for a freak-off when Combs called her into a bedroom. When Ventura asked him to wait, a bottle of alcohol suddenly flown past her head and smashed on the wall. “Slut, if I tell you that you should come, then you come,” Combs shouted and Ventura supposedly dragged the hair into the room. Phillip said he heard how Ventura screamed under strokes: “I’m sorry.”
Jury with repeated queries
Shortly afterwards both came out of the room, and Combs wanted to continue the freak-off, although Ventura “no longer looked ready to do anything”. Phillip said he was unable to get an erection, whereupon Combs released him. “I don’t remember that they gave me money,” said Phillip. “I probably wouldn’t have accepted it anyway.”
After viewing the relevant statements, extracts from the protocols were transmitted to the jury on Tuesday afternoon.
It is the third time that the jury asked questions during their consultations or expressed special wishes. Already on Monday, judge Arun Subramanian’s jury chair had announced that a jury member refused to follow the instructions of the court. Later a day, the jury asked for a clarification of what exactly was to be understood by drug distribution.
Combs shows itself calmly in the court
Combs worked on Tuesday morning in a good mood. When he turned into the courtroom, he saw his mother Janice sitting in the second row, apparently worried. “Just relax,” he told her shortly before he was led out of the room. “Everything will be fine, mom. I love you.”
About an hour later, Combs returned to the jury note and noticed Dana Tran, the mother of his youngest daughter, sitting next to Janice. The two greeted each other with a smile, then Tran pointed to her freshly styled hairstyle. “Looks good. I love it,” said Combs silently with his lips.