Nationwide — Sean “Diddy” Combs will quickly face a high-profile federal trial on intercourse trafficking and racketeering fees, and main the prosecution is a group of six white feminine attorneys — a truth Diddy’s protection group says just isn’t a coincidence. TMZ stories that the prosecution is spearheaded by Maurene Comey, a seasoned Assistant U.S. Lawyer and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, whose controversial tenure and dismissal by Donald Trump in 2017 made nationwide headlines. Jury choice begins subsequent week within the Southern District of New York, one of the crucial highly effective and high-profile prosecutorial workplaces within the nation.Maurene Comey, a graduate of Harvard Legislation College, isn’t any stranger to main intercourse crime instances. She performed a key position within the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime affiliate, on intercourse trafficking and conspiracy fees. Recognized for her meticulous preparation and trial acumen, Comey’s involvement alerts the federal government’s intent to current a troublesome and well-coordinated case towards the music mogul.
Becoming a member of Comey on the prosecution group are 5 different girls with robust credentials. Emily Anne Johnson, a trial lawyer with experience in organized crime, has led advanced investigations into human trafficking and narcotics conspiracies. Madison Reddick Smyser, who beforehand clerked for a federal decide, has dealt with high-stakes white-collar and intercourse crime instances. Mary Christine Slavik is thought for her work on public corruption and interstate prison enterprise instances, whereas Meredith Foster focuses on digital forensics and crimes involving digital proof. Mitzi Steiner, probably the most junior of the group, has shortly gained a fame for her tenacity and sharp courtroom presence.
The composition of the prosecution group has already been famous by Diddy’s authorized counsel, Marc Agnifilo, who suggests the all-white, all-female group displays an intentional technique. He claims this case is a part of a broader “takedown of a profitable Black man” and suggests racial dynamics might be central to the protection’s arguments. The prosecution, nevertheless, could also be relying on feminine jurors figuring out with the alleged victims, lots of whom are girls of colour.
Diddy has pleaded not responsible to all 5 federal fees: two counts of intercourse trafficking, two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution, and one rely of racketeering. He has rejected a plea deal reportedly supplied by federal prosecutors, opting as a substitute to struggle the fees at trial. The result might have main implications not only for Diddy’s legacy, however for a way high-profile sexual misconduct instances are prosecuted transferring ahead.
