In the upcoming trials of Harvey Weinstein and Sean “Diddy” Combs in separate Manhattan courtrooms, they will both feature testimony from clinical and forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes. Hughes has previously played a key role in high-profile sexual misconduct trials such as the NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere and R. Kelly cases, where she explained the psychological dynamics of abuse to jurors. She also testified in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial, where she determined Heard was a victim of intimate partner violence.
Hughes’ specialties include interpersonal violence, traumatic stress, and anxiety disorders. She is highly respected by both prosecutors and defense attorneys for her ability to explain complex psychological concepts to jurors. However, Combs’ lawyers have objected to her testimony, claiming it is advocacy rather than expertise.
In the Weinstein case, the judge allowed Hughes to testify about the psychological effects of rape and sexual assault. Both Weinstein and Combs have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, and their defense teams will likely challenge Hughes’ expertise during the trials.
Despite her professional reputation, Hughes faced backlash and negative reviews on WebMD after testifying in the Depp-Heard case, with some accusing her of being biased against men. The reviews were later taken down after becoming news, highlighting the challenges Hughes may face when testifying in high-profile cases.
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