Prosecutors in opening statements called Combs a cultural icon to the public – but alleged he 'committed crime after crime' in private.

After the prosecution announced Cassie Ventura, “Jane" and others will testify at trial, defense attorney Teny Geragos, in her opening statement, accused the government of trying to turn relationships and choices involving consenting adults into a racketeering case.

Combs and Ventura’s longterm relationship, which played out between 2007 and 2018, is at the heart of the criminal case against him. Identified as “Victim 1” in the indictment, Ventura has chosen to testify under her own name and could be called to the witness stand during his trial as early as Monday .