What we know now about Shawn “Diddy” Combs “Pre-Trial Court Emergence”
Sean “Diddy” Combs was in court for a pre-trial hearing in his federal sex crimes case. What was decided at today’s hearing? This is what we know now.
New York – If your important others have fooled you, can you get over it?
At first, the answer may not seem to be related to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ upcoming sex traffic trials. But that’s the surprising type of clue that lawyers may ask when choosing a ju judge.
The hip-hop mogul faces accusations that he traffics women for “freak-off” sex parties and runs criminal businesses that include tricks and forced labor. If he was found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
On May 5th, the prosecutor and the defence of the combs begins an important step in selecting a ju apprentice.
This process involves potential ju-degrees filling out a written questionnaire and answering verbal questions from judges, or possibly from lawyers.
A judge can eliminate potential ju apprentices who cannot attend a full trial for personal reasons. Each side, for its own reasons, has an opportunity to eliminate a limited number of remaining potential ju apprentices.
The prosecutor declined to comment as the defense did not respond to a request for comment on how it was preparing for the selection of ju judges. However, USA Today spoke to ju judges and trial experts about what it would be like. Here’s what they said:
Responding to fraud? Test whether ju-deferees can compartmentize violent Cathy videos
One of the most difficult evidence for Comb may be a video depicting him dragging and kicking his ex-girlfriend, Kathy Ventura, in a hotel hallway. Judge Arun Subramanian determined in late April that the video was made during a “freak-off” and that prosecutors could show the ju judges by saying it was “devastating evidence” of sex trafficking.
Combs’ defense team claims they have filed in court that the video has become a doctor.
Lawyer and Ju Court consultant Robert Hirschhorn told USA Today that defense could deal with the video by claiming combs was being overcharged.
Hirschhorn represents several well-known clients, including George Zimmerman, who was acquitted of murder and manslaughter in the death of black teenager Trayvon Martin.
If the judge allows it, Hirschhorn might ask a potential ju apprentice whether they are the type of people who can pass through and segment their important other misconduct, or whether it will affect the relationship forever. The answer may help you measure whether the person is able to pass the video.
“Everyone who says ‘compartmentalization’ doesn’t care what they say. I put them on the ju umpire every day unless I say, “Diddy doesn’t think he’s already guilty,” Hirschhorn said.
A ju-deputy who couldn’t overcome the misconduct?
“They’re bone-dogs,” Hirschhorn said. “They can’t forget that. It’s a ju umpire.”
Race, gender, and sexual assault experiences
In particular, wealthy defendants may hold mini trials in focus groups and submit investigations into the case. It’s all part of developing profiles of people you want in your ju umpire, and perhaps you don’t want.
“The choice of a ju judge is really the choice of a ju judge,” Eric Rudich, social psychologist and litigation strategist at Blueprint Trial Consulting, told USA Today. “That’s not what you’re looking for. It’s your people who think they’re really bad for you.”
Prosecutors may try to eradicate those who are wary of the government. Some questions prosecutors hope to ask potential ju apprentices have something to do with their feelings about law enforcement and their experiences with the government.
Experiences of sexual assault and assault accusations can also be a major factor. Both sides suggest questions to potential ju apprentices about those experiences.
Prosecutors “want to keep a woman who is a victim of some kind of unnecessary sexual contact on this ju apprentice,” Hirschhorn said.
The Combs team hopes that potential ju umpires will give their opinions on the hip-hop and rap music industry. It could be a way to figure out whether a potential ju umpire is biased against the comb, either because of his race or industry.
“Unless you explicitly reveal any bias, you cannot attack ju-describers based on ethnicity,” Rudditch said. “But a question about people’s opinions about hip-hop culture, P. Diddy in general – it will probably reveal attitudes and prejudices to support one or the other.”
Feelings about alternative sexual lifestyles?
Combs’ lead lawyer Marc Agnifilo said at the April hearing that the defense team plans to tell the ju judges at trial that Combs belongs to an alternative sexual lifestyle, as they alleged that Combs did not travel to the women. “Call me a swinger,” Agnifilo said.
“Swing” includes singles or people who are in a committed relationship engaged in a single sexual behavior, based on consensus.
The proposed survey of the defense team suggests that ju apprentices want to know whether they are open to such a lifestyle or hold it against the comb.
“In this case, there may be evidence about people engaged in relationships with multiple sexual partners. Will listening to this type of evidence affect your ability to serve as a fair and impartial ju umpire in this case?” the questionnaire asks.
According to Hirschhorn, as long as a potential ju umpire opens up about their experiences and lifestyles within their social circle, it could be one of the best measures of whether they can embrace Combs’ defenses.
“I want to know if anyone has ever experimented with swapping or anything like that, or with external sexual behavior,” Hirschhorn said. “If you know someone who is a swinger, I’ll take that ju umpire.”
Judgment judge? Find someone you don’t want to go with
The prosecution’s goal in COMBS’s criminal trials is not just to find a ju-deacon to conclude that Combs is guilty. All 12 ju umpires are required to agree to win a conviction.
That’s not necessarily the strategy of Combs’ defense team. They also require a unanimous verdict to get an acquittal, but the divided ry court will force the prosecutor to decide whether he wants to try him again, and the judge may not allow him to retry after a retrial.
That disparity is especially the kind of ju umpire that defense wants to be, those who don’t want to go with the crowd.
“Defense wants people who are iconoclastic. People feel that in some way there is a dominant culture that is trying to impose things in other parts of society,” longtime New York litigant and former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner told USA Today.
Combs’ defense says it hopes potential ju-seekers will be asked about their decision-making style in the group, including whether the majority will benefit. It also suggests asking the ju umpire about the political commentators they are hearing and which club they belong to.
“You love innocence, but obviously the judges are also a victory for your client,” Rudditch said. “All you need is a ju umpire to find it for you.”
Aysha Bagchi is targeted at USA Today’s Department of Justice. She is a lawyer, Harvard University graduate, and Rhodes scholar. You can follow her on X and Bluesky at @ayshabagchi.
