P Diddy trial live updates: Closing arguments begin in Sean Combs' sex-crimes case
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Before a verdict is reached,Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team has one last chance to plead his case in the music mogul'scriminal trial. Prosecutors and attorneys for the embattled hip-hop mogul returned to Manhattan court on June 26 to begin closing arguments in the sweeping federal sex-crimes case. The prosecution is scheduled to kick off arguments, which have previously been estimated to last four hours for each side. This comes after Judge Arun Subramanian met with U.S. attorneys and the defense during a June 25 charge conference, which was held to determine instructions for jurors before they begin deliberating either at the end of the week or beginning June 30. Prosecutors called forward more than 30 witnesses over the course of nearly seven weeks of testimony. Several individuals in Combs' personal and professional orbit — from ex-girlfriendsCasandra "Cassie" Ventura Fineand"Jane"toDanity KanealumDawn Richardand rap peerKid Cudi—took the stand. As testimony came to an end earlier this week, U.S. attorneys painted a picture of Combs and his employees being personally involved with organizing his alleged"freak-off" sex parties, working with escorts, Combs' partners and others to produce the elaborate sexual performances. Combs, 55, wasarrested in Septemberand charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He haspleaded not guilty. If convicted on all counts, the Bad Boy Records founder faces a minimum 15-year prison term and could be sentenced to life behind bars. Prosecutors spent weeks calling dozens of witnesses in their arguments against Combs. The jury heard from hisformer girlfriendsandbusiness associates, federal agents, security officers and others. But his lawyers wrapped up their case in less than 30 minutes without calling anyone to the stand. Why? One factor to note: Defendants in criminal cases aren't required to present evidence, and judges instruct juries not to hold that against defendants. To win a guilty verdict, prosecutors have to prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt. Combs' lawyers haven't explained why they didn't call any witnesses. But they may think prosecutors haven't cleared that bar, or they don't want to risk calling a witness who could sway the jury against their client. Legal experts said the jury would need to consider the prosecution's evidence of Combs' physical, sexual and psychological abuse abuse against the defense's evidence that hisalleged victims consentedto the performances in at least some instances. The 12-member jury must be unanimous to convict Combs on any of the counts. "The question is which narrative is going to hold more weight," said Heather Cucolo, a professor at New York Law School. Prosecutors are also expected to argue that Combs is guilty ofracketeering conspiracybecause his employees helped organize the "freak off" sexual performances and cover up abuse. Combs' lawyers have argued there was no conspiracy in part because his employees were not aware of anything improper about the sexual performances, and that any drugs they procured for their boss were for his personal use. Diddy on trial newsletter:Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges As the June 25 hearing over jury instructions came to a close, Judge Subramanian granted a request from Combs' team to wait until Friday morning, June 27, to begin its closing argument. Prosecutor Maurene Comey said the defense should have to start Thursday afternoon, June 26, after the prosecution's closing argument. She expressed concern that delaying it would waste the jury's time and that the defense was engaging in gamesmanship in order to sit with the prosecution's closing argument overnight and map out its response. However, Subramanian said he thought the arrangement would be fine, given that the defense is no longer expressing a concern about pushing the case beyond the July 4 holiday. Discover WITNESS:Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more The rapper verbally confirmed on June 24 hedid not want to take the stand– one of the only times Combs spoke out loud during his weekslong trial. Combs exchanged a few remarks with the judge, saying he was doing "great" and that he thought the judge was managing the trial well. He said it was "solely my decision" not to to testify, and he "thoroughly" discussed it with his legal team. During the June 25 conference, lawyers for Combs and the prosecution continued to make their cases to the judge on how he should instruct the jury about the charges the music mogul faces. Prosecutor Madison Smyser said it's important for jurors to understand that sex trafficking may sometimes have occurred without a completed commercial sex act. She gave the example of when Combs was seen on hotel security camera footage throwing Ventura Fine to the ground near an elevator and then dragging her, reportedly during an alleged "freak off." Surviving abuse:Cassie Ventura Fine and the unlikely bond with her mother-in-law Combs' lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, argued that Combs would be "severely prejudiced" by that instruction, even if it's consistent with existing law, because the prosecution has repeatedly tried its case against Combs as if a commercial sex act is required. The judge said he was leaning toward the prosecution on the issue but would consider the matter further. No, none of the charges from Combs' federal indictment have been formally dropped. But in a June 24 letter to Judge Subramanian, prosecutors revealed they werewithdrawing some of their criminal allegationsahead of closing arguments. U.S. attorneys said they don't want jurors to consider their previous claims that Combs allegedly engaged in racketeering by attempting kidnapping in California and New York, attempting arson in California, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking. The move was made as part of an effort to "streamline" jury instructions that will be issued soon. Despite the tossed allegations, Combs' indictment accused him not just of attempting arson and kidnapping, but also of committing these crimes outright as part of a criminal conspiracy. The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and despite repeated attempts at bail,has remainedconfined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn'sMetropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested inSeptember 2024and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed attargeting multi-person criminal organizations,prosecutors allegethat Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in"freak offs"— sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.Sign up for our newsletterfor more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff,Reuters If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:P Diddy trial live updates: Latest on charges, closing arguments
P Diddy trial live updates: Closing arguments begin in Sean Combs' sex-crimes case This story contains graphic descriptions that some re...
