Sean ‘Diddy' Combs Likely Won't Testify In His Sex Trafficking Trial
Sean 'Diddy' Combs likely will not take the witness stand in his own sex trafficking and racketeering trial, the Associated Press reported, as the defense projected just two to five days to make their case, which likely would have been much longer if Combs were to testify.
Sean "Diddy" Combs likely will not testify at his own trial, the Associated Press reported. (Photo ... More byfor Sean "Diddy" Combs)
Marc Agnifilo, a defense attorney representing Combs, told Judge Arun Subramanian the defense could possibly take less than two, but no more than five, days to make their case.
Had Combs testified, his time on the witness stand likely would've taken at least a week, the Associated Press reported, considering the prosecution's star witnesses Cassie Ventura and 'Jane,' an unnamed alleged Combs victim, each spent about a week on the stand.
Combs' defense lawyers will present their case to the jury once the prosecution wraps, which could be as early as tomorrow or sometime later this week, after weeks of testimony from dozens of witnesses.
Subramanian said the jury may start deliberations as soon as next week, depending on how long the prosecution and defense take to rest their cases.
Subramanian had previously said he wanted to finish Combs' trial, which began with witness testimony on May 12, before the July 4 weekend.
Agnifilo previously raised the possibility of Combs testifying, telling TMZ in September the rapper is 'very eager to tell his own story.' Combs' rap rival Suge Knight said earlier this month Combs should testify to 'humanize' himself to the jury. But some legal experts have said testifying would be a risky move that could backfire on the defense. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, told People testifying would open him up to cross-examination by the prosecution and that whatever he says on the stand would be admissible evidence in the dozens of civil lawsuits that have been filed against him alleging sexual assault and sex trafficking. Entertainment lawyer Lisa Bonner told Page Six it is 'highly unlikely' Combs will take the stand, stating there is 'nothing to gain, especially if you have any skeletons in your closet,' and that he runs the risk of committing perjury if he is not truthful.
Some have speculated whether President Donald Trump, who previously pardoned rappers including Lil Wayne and NBA YoungBoy for weapons charges, would pardon Combs, whom Trump has previously called a friend. Trump, in response to a reporter's question about whether he would pardon Combs, said in May he would 'look at the facts' and noted he hasn't spoken to Combs since before he entered politics. Rolling Stone reported in May, citing anonymous sources, that members of Combs' team have reached out to Trump allies to lay groundwork for a pardon, though sources told Rolling Stone that Trump officials have expressed reservations because of the severity of Combs' charges.
Jurors were shown videos of Combs' 'freak offs' for the first time, which made some jurors look visibly uncomfortable, according to multiple reports. Unlike some photos shown to jurors, the 'freak off' videos were not shown to the entire courtroom and will not be made available to the public because they are sexually explicit. DeLeassa Penland, a special agent with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, took the stand Tuesday as prosecutors walked through Combs' phone records after he was caught on surveillance footage attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. Combs repeatedly texted and called Ventura after the incident, to which Ventura said he is 'sick for thinking it's okay to do what you've done,' CNN reported.
Combs is on trial for five federal charges: two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and one count of racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. High-profile witnesses who have already testified include his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whose testimony took up much of the trial's first week. While on the stand, Ventura alleged Combs raped her in 2018, subjected her to years of physical abuse and coerced her to perform in 'freak-off' sex parties with male escorts. Rapper Kid Cudi also took the stand, testifying Combs broke into his house after he discovered Cudi was dating Ventura, after which his car exploded in his driveway. Two unnamed women, 'Mia' and 'Jane,' also took the stand, whom prosecutors say are victims of Combs' sex trafficking crimes.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial: Trump Addresses Potential Pardon—Says He Would 'Look At The Facts' (Forbes)
Who Is 'Jane' In The Diddy Trial? Sean Combs' Ex-Girlfriend And Alleged Victim Takes Stand For Cross-Examination (Forbes)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
20 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says
MOCKSVILLE, N.C. — The pilot of a small plane that crashed near a North Carolina airport this month had raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report. The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, officials said. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash.
CBS News
21 minutes ago
- CBS News
Motorcyclist dies after crashing into SUV in Naperville, Illinois, police say
A motorcyclist was killed after colliding with a sports utility vehicle Thursday night in Naperville, Illinois. Naperville police said officers and fire crews responded to the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Naper Boulevard just after 9:30 p.m. for a crash with injuries. Officers found a blue 2024 Suzuki motorcycle involved in a crash with a grey 2024 VinFast SUV. Despite lifesaving measures, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified him as 26-year-old Dante Fields of Woodridge. Preliminary reports indicated the Suzuki was heading eastbound on Chicago Avenue at a high rate of speed when it entered the intersection at Naper Boulevard on a solid green light. The SUV was turning left from westbound Maple Avenue to southbound Naper Boulevard, at which time the Suzuki struck the passenger side of the SUV. Police said no charges were filed. Investigation into the crash remains ongoing by the Naperville Police Department. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Naperville Police Department's Traffic Unit at 630-420-8833.
CBS News
23 minutes ago
- CBS News
Husband of Colorado mom Suzanne Morphew arrested for her murder... again
The husband of Colorado mom Suzanne Morphew has been arrested for first-degree murder in her death more than five years ago. This is the second time Barry Morphew has been facing murder charges in her homicide. Suzanne Morphew was reportedly last seen on Mother's Day May 10, 2020, when she went for a bike ride and never returned. Suzanne Morphew Suzanne Morphew/Facebook Suzanne Morphew left behind two teenage daughters and a husband, Barry Morphew, who was not only the prime suspect in her disappearance at the time but was also charged with her murder. Barry Morphew was arrested on May 5, 2021, on charges of murder after deliberation, tampering with physical evidence and attempting to influence a public servant. Less than a year later, in April 2022, a judge dismissed the case against Barry Morphew. TIMELINE: Suzanne Morphew case: Timeline of events in the death of the Colorado mother At the time, the 11th Judicial District Attorney, Linda Stanley, filed the motion to "dismiss without prejudice" which means that prosecutors could file charges against Barry Morphew at a later date. Since then, a disciplinary board has recommended Stanley be disbarred because of improper statements made to the media during the investigation which they claim contributed to a change of venue for the trial. Suzanna and Barry Morphew grew up in the same hometown of Alexandria, Indiana, and met in high school. Suzanne Morphew/Facebook Barry Morphew filed the lawsuit claiming he was wrongfully charged in his wife's disappearance and, at the time, presumed death in May 2023. That case was dismissed in September 2024. According to the CBI, Suzanne's remains were located during the course of a search in Moffat on Sept. 22, 2023, and those remains were positively identified just five days later as those of Suzanne Morphew by the El Paso County Coroner. Her death was determined to be a homicide of "undetermined means," and drugs typically used as tranquilizers for wildlife were detected in her remains. On Wednesday, the Twelfth Judicial District Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Barry Morphew with first-degree murder of his wife. He was taken into custody in Arizona on Friday. The district attorney's office said it will seek to extradite Barry Morphew back to the San Luis Valley. "Federal, State and local law enforcement have never stopped working toward justice for Suzanne," said Twelfth Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly in a statement. "The Twelfth Judicial District Attorney's Office stands in solidarity with Suzanne's family and the citizens of Chaffee and Saguache Counties in pursuing the Grand Jury's indictment." The public is asked to continue to report any information about this case by calling (719) 312-7530 or emailing cdps_suzannemorphew_tipline@
