00:00The trial of music mogul Sean Combs began in New York.
00:05Combs, better known by his artist name Diddy, is facing a five-count indictment.
00:09The hip-hop superstar is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy,
00:13two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion,
00:17and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
00:20The prosecution accused Diddy of transforming his hip-hop enterprise
00:24into an organization that coerces women into fulfilling his sexual desires for two decades.
00:29In their opening remarks, they said that Combs threatened these women into silence
00:33through blackmail and physical abuse.
00:36The prosecution added that Diddy has a history of physically abusing sexual partners,
00:40including but not limited to choking, hitting, kicking, and dragging by the hair.
00:46Diddy's defense acknowledged the rapper's aggressive behavior and tendencies.
00:50They, however, argued that his anger outbursts are not evidence of sex trafficking,
00:55reminding the jurors that this is the case against their client,
00:57and not whether or not he is, quote, a jerk.
01:01Diddy pleaded not guilty to all charges.
01:03The trial is expected to last two months.
01:06If convicted, Diddy faces 15 years in prison.
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