San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
The trial of Sean Diddy Combs kept people’s attention over recent weeks. Watching the highly publicized trial’s outcome sparked a lot of opinions. Combs, who was facing multiple charges related to sex parties known as “freak outs,” was acquitted of the most serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy but found guilty of lesser charges for transporting women across state lines for prostitution. Observers are vehemently divided: Diddy supporters are thrilled, while detractors are angst-ridden. Regardless of personal reactions to the trial’s outcomes, some of the big juxtapositions from the trial are worth noting.
Questions related to the pursuit of justice arise when considering multiple factors related to this and trials addressing similar issues. With power and wealth up against the #MeToo movement, it seems the clash of these factors and their influence on a jury can be complicated. Queries worth considering abound:
- Without question, celebrity influence is a factor worth bearing in mind in high-profile trials. Does being well-known impact the way a jury understands events and evidence presented at trial? Can it lead to either greater indulgence or greater severity, depending on the celebrity in question?
- Generally speaking, are everyday citizens able to acknowledge criminal acts that occur at the hands of someone whom they have previously venerated? On the other hand, is it insulting and inappropriate to suggest that jurors cannot be fair?
- The collision of coercion and violence was underscored in this case. Is it possible to suffer beatings from an abuser, and at the same time to have complete control over your life and decisions? Is domestic violence a separate entity from coercion altogether, or are they part and parcel of the same problem?
- Is it possible that an abusive individual gives a survivor choices about participating in sexual activity, or does a physical attack translate into the likelihood of forced sexual encounters?
- Is cultural bias shortchanging victims of domestic violence in a culture that glorifies tough men, or are women trying to make a buck off of wealthy men?
- Was this particular trial about a plaintiff attempting to cash in on a relationship with someone famous, or about a violent and controlling defendant who used wealth and power to take advantage of the vulnerable?
- The Combs case highlighted the challenges associated with testifying about abusive relationships and the difficulty of proving manipulation/coercion in abusive situations. Is re-traumatization of domestic violence survivors something we should be concerned about?
- Are the potential harms to a superstar—even one who is acquitted—more severe than for typical defendants? How destructive is the potential of future civil litigation, in addition to the damage to career and reputation?
- Does the treatment of alleged victims on the stand discourage others from coming forward, especially considering the outcomes in a trial like this one? Will this trial strip victims of the will to press charges against abusers? Will it empower abusers to keep at it?
Boertje & Associates
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