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A former private assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs gave a glimpse into the hip-hop promoter’s world when he labored for him practically 20 years in the past, testifying at his former boss’ intercourse trafficking trial about his use of weapons, lie detector assessments and medicines.
David James’ testimony got here within the second week of a trial in Manhattan federal court docket that’s scheduled to last as long as two months. If convicted of the costs he faces, together with racketeering, the Unhealthy Boy Information founder might be sentenced to no less than 15 years in jail.
James was one among a number of former Combs staff anticipated to testify, as prosecutors attempt to show that Combs for 20 years used threats and violence to manage staff and associates and commit crimes.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible to fees that he used threats and his highly effective place within the hip-hop world to abuse girls and others and topic Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, his decade-long girlfriend, to participate in drug-fueled sexual performances with different males that she stated left her too drained to pursue her singing profession.
James, a private assistant for Combs from 2007 to 2009, testified a few job that appeared to return with growing perils till he realized his life was in peril and stop, with discover, after he was compelled to drive a automotive during which an offended Combs sat within the again seat with three handguns on his lap.
He stated his job generally required him to make sure that resort rooms the place Combs stayed below the identify “Frank Black” have been stocked with what he wanted for consolation, together with contemporary underwear, an iPod, apple sauce, vodka, child oil, Viagra and condoms.
There have been additionally stunning moments, James stated, like one in 2008 when Combs requested him to carry an iPod from his Miami house to a resort room. Upon coming into, James stated he noticed Cassie on the mattress with a white comforter pulled as much as her neck and an unfamiliar bare man carrying a condom operating from the room.
One other time, he stated Combs summoned him to his workplace to point out him video he’d recorded at a celebration of James dancing wildly and advised him: “Ok. I’m going to keep this footage in case I ever need it.” James stated he took it as a risk to maintain him in line.
Cassie testified final week that Combs threatened to launch movies of her having intercourse with male intercourse employees in the course of the so-called freak-offs if she did not do as he stated.
James additionally described being required to take lie detector assessments twice when Combs was looking for out who stole money in a single occasion and a watch in one other.
He stated Combs was on medication practically day by day, usually taking Percocet by day and ecstasy by night time. When he stocked Combs’ resort rooms, he stated, medication have been in a bag dropped off by safety, together with the capsule meant to seem like then-President Barack Obama.
James testified that he was additionally concerned in Combs’ try to confront his music business rival Suge Knight at a Los Angeles diner in November 2008 — an incident that Cassie additionally testified about.
James stated he was with Combs’ bodyguard choosing up meals for Combs and his safety employees at round 4 a.m. when the bodyguard noticed Knight and noticed somebody passing a gun to him.
They fled the diner and went again to Combs’ house, about 10 minutes away, James testified. Combs, itching to go to the diner, was exterior the home arguing with Cassie, who didn’t need him to go away, James stated.
James advised jurors that Combs then ordered him to drive them — Combs and the bodyguard referred to as D-Roc — to the diner. James stated he regarded again at one level and noticed Combs within the backseat with three handguns on his lap.
After they bought to the diner, he stated, Knight and his entourage have been gone. Combs advised him to drive across the block, however Knight was nowhere to be discovered, in order that they drove again to Combs’ house, James stated.
“I was real shook up by it,” James testified. “This was the first time being Mr. Combs’ assistant that I realized my life was in danger.”
When you or somebody you understand is experiencing home violence, contact the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
Assets for victims of sexual assault can be found by the Nationwide Sexual Violence Assets Middle and the Nationwide Sexual Assault Phone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
