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DIddy’s mother Janice Combs has stood by her son’s side as he faces life in prison on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mother is standing by him at his sex trafficking trial.
On Monday, Janice Combs was seen entering the federal courthouse in New York City where her son’s case is being heard. The 84-year-old wore sunglasses and a black pantsuit as she entered the building, surrounded by throngs of onlookers.
Joining Janice in court were six of her son’s children, who have all remained steadfast in support of their father since his arrest last year: Quincy, 33; Justin, 31; Christian, 27; Chance,18; D’Lila, 18; and Jessie 18. Several of the rapper’s kids held hands as they walked into the courthouse. During opening statements, Janice and her grandchildren kept their attention focused on the jury of eight men and four women, according to NBC News.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial begins
Diddy has been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering, with prosecutors alleging he used his position as one of the most powerful men in hip-hop to sexually abuse people at his notorious “freak-offs.” Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
After a week-long jury selection process, Diddy’s trial got underway on May 12 with opening statements. Prosecutors laid out their case against Combs, asserting that he used his power to force people into sex acts. The defense admitted that Diddy had a troubled past and called a video of him beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura “indefensible.” But his lawyer insisted that everyone who participated in the freak-offs did so willingly.
Janice Combs called case against Diddy a ‘public lynching’
Janice – who raised her son as a single mother after his father was murdered – has described the accusations leveled against her son as a “public lynching.”
“I come to you today as a mother that is devastated and profoundly saddened by the allegations made against my son, Sean Combs,” she said in a statement after his September 2024 arrest (via Us Weekly).
“It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies … Watching the world make jokes and laugh at my son’s life crumbling before our eyes is something I can never forget,” she added. “It is truly agonizing to watch the world turn against my son so quickly and easily over lies and misconceptions, without ever hearing his side or affording him the opportunity to present his side.”
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
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