The extremely predicted trial of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is underway. Combs is accused of sexual intercourse trafficking by force, transportation to interact in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy as Element of a blockbuster federal indictment initially submitted in September 2024.
The rapper has pleaded not guilty to fees of sexual intercourse trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution. He faces existence in prison if convicted.
Diddy, fifty five, is accused of employing his fame and fortune to operate a decade-lengthy scheme where he controlled and manipulated his longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, 38, and Other individuals working with violence and threats, forcing them into “freak-off” intercourse marathons that went on for times.
The courtroom also heard about messages despatched throughout the time with the bombshell civil lawsuit submitted towards Combs by Cassie in November 2023 - which was settled within 24 hrs for just a then undisclosed sum, uncovered to be $20m in the course of the trial;
Inside the front row of the courtroom the place Sean “Diddy” Combs is pleading not guilty to federal intercourse-trafficking and legal racketeering costs, the trio sits within the entrance row, Each individual peering at the witness stand via binoculars, unexpectedly manufacturing sketches that can be disseminated to information businesses around the globe.
The decide stated he had "considerations more than his candour" and that it could suggest he had a motive to wish to be on the panel;
Khorram requested website if Ventura was ok. “No but you ought to speak with him,” Ventura responded. “I’m positive you don’t wish to get entangled…but not one person warrants becoming dragged by their hair,” she reported inside a comply with-up textual content.
For the duration of her have testimony, Cassie advised the court docket she participated while in the freak offs to keep Combs pleased.
Wallace, an aspiring singer who sometimes produced revenue undertaking sexual intercourse operate, took Laita up on it, for $three hundred, sitting for his camera and talking about her lifetime.
Combs also appeared to ship Khorram audio documents of phone calls he recorded with Jane from the rapid aftermath on the Ventura lawsuit. Jane informed Combs that the lawsuit explained, “like, phrase for word” her working experience.
Judge Arun Subramanian closed the courtroom to discuss a potential concern with on the list of jurors. He didn't retake the bench so the issue for now continues to be unresolved, at the very least publicly.
Text messages showed Cassie was in contact with a male escort and instructed him to come back the place of "Frank Black" - a code identify used by Sean "Diddy" Combs, the demo has Formerly listened to.
Immediately after this, the prosecution referred to as two summary witnesses - witnesses who weren't involved in the investigation into Combs but are in court docket to summarise textual content discussions and various facts, and provide context to earlier proof And exactly how it relates to the charges;
This questioning appears to relate to the two expenses of transportation to have interaction in prostitution that Combs is experiencing.
On Monday morning, Choose Arun Subramanian dismissed juror No. six according to multiple conflicting statements he gave relating to his residence and who he lived with. The various solutions not merely elevated questions about his eligibility — if his Major residence is in New Jersey, he wouldn't be suitable to function a juror inside the Southern District of Ny — but his honesty.