Unveiling the Controversies: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Faces Allegations from Infamous Charity Event Before Sex Trafficking Trial | CNN

On the day Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted on charges related to prostitution, Jason Swain was reminded of a tragic event from over 30 years ago. He recalled the scene at a Manhattan gym where his brother, Dirk, and eight others were crushed to death during a chaotic charity basketball game in 1991. Combs, then known as Puff Daddy, organized the event.

Swain remembered a Polaroid of Dirk’s lifeless body, eyes open, that his family was shown after the tragedy. “My mother and the other mothers were shown their dead kids,” Swain recalled. The crowd for the event had exceeded the gym’s capacity, leading to a horrific stampede. No one was charged in connection with the incident, which shocked New York City.

Despite controversies in his career, including the 2001 acquittal on weapons charges after a nightclub shooting, Combs continued to thrive. In the years following the stampede, victims’ families pursued a civil suit. Combs eventually settled for approximately $750,000 of a $3.8 million payout, with a judge ruling he bore significant responsibility.

After Combs was convicted recently, Swain and survivor Charrisse Miles expressed no healing from it. They feel he has never taken full responsibility for the tragedy at City College. Combs avoided severe charges in his latest trial but faces up to 20 years for lesser offenses.

“I believe in karma, and he’ll pay for what he has done,” said Swain, a filmmaker. He feels deeply for all the families affected. Similarly, Miles, who survived the tragic stampede, reflected on how the trauma persists through the years. The incident, which she describes as traumatic, still echoes today.

“It was an event featuring major stars like Boyz II Men and Run DMC. We felt special being there. Then it turned into chaos,” she said. Miles remembers a crowd pushing toward the exits, her first glimpse of a victim being carried out, and how Combs and his team seemed to disregard the panic.

In the aftermath, many were scrutinized, including Combs. A 1992 report from then-Mayor David Dinkins’ office indicated that event organizers had failed in their responsibilities, noting Combs’ lack of proper planning led to the overcrowded venue.

Most recently, public sentiment remains divided. Combs’ conviction brought a rush of reactions online, revealing a mix of support and disdain. Notably, many feel he continues to evade accountability.

Combs once mentioned feeling the weight of the City College tragedy daily. Yet, for those like Swain and Miles, the struggle for acknowledgment remains. They don’t see genuine remorse from him, only a focus on his own future.

As Swain put it, “The victims are forgotten. Their voices remain silent.” They hope one day that the memories of those lost will find the recognition they deserve.

For a deeper understanding of the events surrounding the tragedy, you can read the New York Times report on the legal proceedings here.

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