Opening statements have begun in the trial against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faces charges including sex trafficking and racketeering that carry a possible life sentence behind bars.
The court heard testimony from two witnesses on Monday, with the prosecution setting up to have Combs' long-time girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, take the stand in the coming days.
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The first witness, security officer Israel Florez, recounted the now-infamous incident where he responded to a distress call from Ventura at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles. Florez testified that he witnessed Combs viciously beating Ventura in the hotel hallway, grabbing her by the hair and neck and throwing her to the ground.
The court was shown security footage of the incident from multiple angles, which showed Combs repeatedly kicking and assaulting Ventura as she tried to flee.
The second witness, Daniel Phillip, testified to an equally disturbing account. Phillip, a male escort, claimed that he had been directed by Combs to engage in sexual acts with Ventura. Phillip's graphic testimony included allegations that Combs had ordered the use of baby oil and had even instructed the escort to urinate on Ventura.
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The jury, comprised of eight men and four women, three-quarters of whom are people of color, will be tasked with deciding the fate of the music mogul. Ventura is expected to take the stand in the coming days, as the trial continues to unfold with these shocking revelations.
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