The bizarre and sad request Diddy’s lawyers had for Cassie when she testified in court

Lawyers representing Sean “Diddy” Combs had one request for his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, as she testified in court. Cassie, who is currently eight months pregnant, began her testimony yesterday (May 13th). 

55-year-old Diddy faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors claim he used his business empire to lure women into violent abuse over the past 20 years. Combs was arrested last September, and has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations. The trial is currently taking place in New York.

Cassie appeared in court to give testimony regarding her relationship and experiences with Diddy. This included detailing apparent “freak off” parties he hosted, and she attended. But, lawyers for Diddy made one particular request for Cassie, as she entered the courtroom.

They asked she already be seated and ready to speak, when the jury entered the room. This would be instead of the jury entering the room, and her walking in front of them to take her position to speak. The reason for this? His lawyers thought that a pregnant woman walking in front of the jury might evoke an emotional response, and sway jurors.

“I’m going to ask that [Ventura], when she testifies, be already in the jury box when the jury comes in,” Marc Agnifilo, one of Diddy’s lawyers said. “Only because of her physical condition. I mean, there are certain things we can’t control about a juror who is eight-and-a-half months pregnant, but I think there is – there is a quality to her walking in front of the jury that I think is easily avoidable.”

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Prosecutor Maurene Comey didn’t seem to keen on the idea. They said: “If your honor is considering it, I would like to be heard on that. I don’t think there any basis to treat any witness differently because of a medical condition, most notably pregnancy. I think that would be deeply inappropriate.”

Judge Arun Subramanian said: “I’ll think about it. Ms. Comey makes the point, we wouldn’t treat people differently based on any other sort of medical condition or physical impairment or any other attribute, right? Why would we treat this differently?”.

Agnifilo replied: “Because I think there is a prejudicial quality. Pregnancy is beautiful and wonderful. It also is a source of potential sympathy.” The judge then pointed out that the jury will see Cassie leave the stand, so questioned: “What are you trying to achieve?”.

It is unclear if Cassie was seated when the jury entered the room, but courtroom sketches appear to show her standing next to the judge as she was sworn in. The trial continues.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the national domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247. Lines are open 24/7.

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