Johnny Depp's lawyer has some word of wisdom for Sean 'Diddy' Combs, also known as P Diddy or Puff Daddy, as he braces himself for his May 5 trial in the sexual assault case. Benjamin Chew, who represented Depp in his televised trial against Amber Heard, comes from a vast experience of such highly-publicised cases and advised Diddy to take a strong stand during his trial. Diddy is currently being held in NewYork's Metropolitan Detention centre without parole since his September 16 arrest. The Bad Boy Records founder has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges.
Benjamin Chew recently appeared on Piers Morgan's YouTube show Piers Morgan Uncensored and shared his two cents on the Diddy case. Analysing the dramatic turn of events in the hip-hop mogul's legal troubles, Chew said that he'll be forced to take a stand and testify, courtesy of the video that saw him hitting and dragging his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Following the leak of the video, Diddy issued an apology via his Instagram account.
Chew remarked: "That's going to force him to testify, and I think he's going to have to do an awful lot better than he did in that apology video if he's going to convince one or two jurors to hang that jury. I don't like his chances... Video is so damaging at any trial, whether it's criminal or civil, because it's hard to explain away."
He opined that Diddy will have to take accountability for his actions and express genuine remorse, saying "He was terribly sorry for it, but that was an aberration; that's not who he is."
Chew further highlighted that the rapper would need to testify in court and if he decides otherwise, it would be 'damning' for him. He explained, ¡°Diddy has to own it and say, 'I did a horrible thing. I¡¯ll regret it the rest of my life, but that doesn¡¯t mean that I engaged in sex trafficking.' He¡¯s got to look the jury in the eye and say that and say it convincingly."
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.
In a recent development, several new lawsuits have been filed against the rapper among which an independent artist has accused the hip-hop mogul of drugging and raping her inside his private office, per US Weekly. This is in addition to over 100 lawsuits filed against the embattled artist since his arrest.?
If convicted, Diddy will be facing a potential life sentence.