Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Ye makes quick courthouse appearance in rare show of celebrity support for Combs
What to know about the sex trafficking trial
Ye, the controversial rapper formerly known as Kanye West, made a quick courthouse appearance today. He told reporters he was in attendance to show his support for Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Ye spent about 40 minutes at the court but didn't make it inside the courtroom before departing.
Special Agent Andre LeMon, Jonathan Perez and Ananya Sankar are expected to be called to the witness stand next, a day after Combs' former girlfriend 'Jane' wrapped up about a week of testimony.
Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him.
This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
Juror thrown off panel
A juror was dismissed from the panel after he allegedly gave conflicting answers about where he lives.
The man had given different answers to questions about where he primarily lives, in either New York or across the Hudson River in New Jersey with his girlfriend.
Earlier in the day, Judge Subramanian had said he was leaning against dismissing the juror, saying there was likely an innocent explanation for any conflicting answers.
But by the end of the court day, Subramanian said there were "serious question about his candor and ability to follow instructions."
Perez 'feels great' about Combs
The witness said he left Combs' company but harbors absolutely no ill will toward his former boss.
Perez said he wanted to avoid any kind of legal entanglement and thought working for Combs could put him into such a situation.
The last time he spoke with Combs was the day the music mogul was arrested last year, he testified.
"I feel great about him, the same way I did when I was leaving my employment," Perez said.
'Jane' appeared to be willing participant in 'king night' outings, witness says
Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Under cross-examination, the witness said he never got the feeling that "Jane" was unhappy or was an unwilling participant in Combs' "king night" evenings.
Jane even asked him for advice on fashion so she could look her best for Combs, the witness said.
Defense lawyer Brian Steel also got Perez to agree with him that these "king nights" were on Combs' personal, non-work time. That kind of distinction could be key for jurors as they weigh whether Combs used his resources to run a criminal enterprise.
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Ye spent a few minutes in an overflow room
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Ye caught a few minutes of Perez's testimony in an overflow room on the 23rd floor.
He and Combs' son Christian were close to the monitor and Ye removed his glasses, a local reporter said, to follow along with Perez describing his job with Combs.
Ye left without speaking to anyone else gathered in the room.
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Combs is engaged with his defense today
The defendant appeared to be particularly engaged with his attorneys today.
Combs seemed to be paying very close attention to the testimony of a federal agent describing the raid on his home in Los Angeles. Combs even handed his attorney a note while the lawyer was cross-examining the agent.
Combs could be fighting some congestion, perhaps an allergy, today as he grabbed tissues and forcefully blew his nose at one point in the morning.
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Witness testifies he found sex tape on iPad
Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Perez recounted how he found a sex tape — showing "Jane" engaged with another man as Combs watched in the background — on a company iPad.
The employee said he immediately brought the issue to Combs and his chief of staff Kristina Khorram.
Judge Subramanian declared a recess and asked jurors to return to court before 1:30 p.m. ET.
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Assistant testifies staff had to prepare for a 'king night'
Combs' staff would typically get between two and 24 hours to prepare for a "king night," an evening their boss would spend in a hotel with a woman, the witness said.
Food, a change of clothes, condoms, lubricants and red lights were among the items commonly packed, Perez said.
Ye leaves the courthouse
Ye walked out of the front doors of the federal courthouse, got into a car and was driven away.
He spent about 40 minutes in the courthouse but never made it into Judge Subramanian's courtroom to show support for the defendant, Combs.
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Former Combs assistant takes the witness stand
Jonathan Perez, a former personal assistant to Combs, took the witness stand for prosecutors.
The 35-year-old native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, wore a brown suit, black shirt and black tie.
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Oils were a surprising find for agent
The agent said he'd never found large amounts of baby oil in his previous human trafficking investigations.
Asked if he'd ever walked out of a trafficking raid with boxes of baby oil, LeMon told Combs' defense: "It's only been this one."
"That's what I thought," Combs defense lawyer Agnifilo said, perhaps insinuating that the presence of lubricants signals consensual sex acts.
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Prosecutor complains to judge about Combs 'nodding emphatically'
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Adam Reiss, Daniel Arkin and David K. Li
Maurene Comey, one of the prosecutors, complained to Judge Arun Subramanian that Combs was 'nodding emphatically' as his ex-girlfriend 'Jane' and the Homeland Security agent testified. Brian Steel, one of Combs' lawyers, pushed back on that characterization, saying his client has been 'nothing but professional.'
Subramanian, who scolded Combs' team last week after the rapper apparently made facial expressions at jurors, told Comey it would be 'impossible to police' everyone in the courtroom but made clear 'we will keep an eye out' for any inappropriate behavior.
Large number of guns found at Combs' L.A. home, witness testifies
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Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Combs kept an arsenal of firearms and ammunition — designed to pierce armor — according to the federal agent who led the raid on his L.A. home.
Long guns, AR-15-style weapons, Smith & Wesson rifles, a Ruger rifle and a Glock pistol were among the firearms discovered at Combs' Mapleton Drive home, LeMon testified.
Agents also found 59 rounds of green tip ammunition, which is manufactured to penetrate body armor, the witness said.
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Hundreds of bottles of lubricants found at Combs' L.A. home, witness testifies
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Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Federal agents found 900 bottles of Astroglide and 200 bottles of baby oil when they raided the defendant's home in Los Angeles last year, LeMon said.
The lubricants were frequently used during "hotel nights" and "freak offs," when Combs directed women to have sex with other men as he watched, witnesses have testified at this trial.
In a nightstand, agents also found six envelopes marked with "K" on them all, LeMon said. Those envelopes tested positive for ketamine, attorneys stipulated.
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Defense wants to limit or bar testimony about guns
The defense told the court that it'll likely object to questions about guns found during raids during Combs' arrest.
Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo called firearms a 'divisive issue' that he'd rather not have on the minds of jurors.
"I am not seeing how guns in a security room are relevant to any of the charges in this case," Agnifilo said.
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Judge wants to settle juror issue
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said he wants to settle the government's objections to one of the jurors, though there doesn't appear to be enough evidence yet to remove the panelist.
Subramanian revealed the issue could be about where the juror lives.
The government, earlier this week, said that panelist should be removed over "lack of candor."
"My preference would be to hear from the juror and it is likely we will hear a perfect innocent explanation," Subramanian said, adding that he wants to "quickly resolve this issue" and "put it to bed."
Here's what 'Jane' said yesterday
Yesterday, "Jane" testified that she felt jealous of other women in Combs' life. She thought it was unfair that they appeared to get more from their relationships with him than she did, despite her folding to the pressure of "hotel nights."
Jane reiterated how much Combs pushed her for "hotel nights" even after telling him she didn't want to do it.
"All the time," Jane said.
The constant need to have sex for Combs' entertainment made Jane 'sore, tired, exhausted and overwhelmed,' she testified.
While she witnessed positive changes in Combs after Cassie's lawsuit in November 2023, Jane said she and Combs physically fought at her residence in Los Angeles in 2024.
In that incident, she said she pushed Combs' head into a marble countertop when she was angry that he went on a family trip to Turks and Caicos with another woman. She claimed Combs later assaulted her in the hallway.
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'Jane' was composed on the last day of her marathon time on the stand
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Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
" Jane" came across as firm and composed on her sixth day of testimony, only fighting back tears near the end of the day.
Combs, clad in what appeared to be the same orange sweater and khaki pants he wore the day before, hugged members of his defense team when he walked into the courtroom yesterday morning. During an afternoon break, Combs grabbed tissues and dabbed an eye before leaving the room.
Combs' former girlfriend finally off the stand after 6 days of testimony
Combs' former girlfriend, identified in court by the pseudonym "Jane," finished her sixth and final day of testimony yesterday.
During her time on the stand yesterday, she faced a series of questions about her relationship with Combs, including how it played out after he became the subject of a headline-grabbing criminal investigation in 2024.
Jane told jurors she saw positive changes in Combs after Cassie Ventura, his former partner, filed her November 2023 civil lawsuit alleging physical and sexual abuse. Responding to questions from defense lawyer Teny Geragos, Jane agreed that Combs became more apologetic and attentive, less egotistical and cold.
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The Independent
11 hours ago
- The Independent
An ex-college basketball player testifies that Sean 'Diddy' Combs got 'extremely creative' on drugs
A former Syracuse University basketball player who worked recently for Sean 'Diddy' Combs as a personal assistant testified at the music mogul's sex trafficking trial on Friday that Combs got 'extremely creative' when he was on drugs. Brendan Paul, 26, was arrested last year at a Miami airport with cocaine he says belonged to Combs, and he testified with immunity about what it was like working for the hip-hop entrepreneur for a year and a half. Paul was arrested in March 2024 — the same day federal agents conducted multiple searches related to the Combs' investigation. Prosecutors are winding down their case after six weeks of testimony from an array of witnesses ranging from ex-girlfriends and former employees to male sex workers and the rapper Kid Cudi. Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, even made a surprise appearance at the courthouse. The prosecution seeks to convince the jury that Combs oversaw a sprawling racketeering enterprise for two decades that relied on obedience by employees willing to do anything for him, including buying drugs when necessary. Defense lawyers say Combs did not commit federal crimes, although they acknowledge that prosecutors have exposed domestic violence during the trial. After pleading not guilty following his September arrest at a Manhattan hotel, Combs has been held without bail at a federal lockup in Brooklyn. Prosecutors were expected to rest their case by Monday. A defense presentation is expected to last from two to five days. Paul said he bought drugs for Combs between five and 10 times, spending up to $500 for drugs including cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy and marijuana. He said he only did drugs with Combs once, when Combs asked him to try 'tusi,' also known as pink cocaine, to see if it was good. Paul said he did so because he 'wanted to prove my loyalty' and said he thought it was good. 'We continued on with our night,' he told Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavic. Paul said that prior to his arrest, he had forgotten about the cocaine after collecting it while 'sweeping' Combs' room that morning and had accidentally left it in a bag he carried as he prepared to go on vacation with Combs and other aides. The charges were dismissed after Paul completed a pretrial diversion program. Under questioning by defense attorney Brian Steel, Paul said his 'heart dropped' when he realized that there was cocaine in a travel bag after telling officers at the airport that everything in the bag belonged to him. Steel asked Paul if Combs was generally happy and didn't hurt anyone when he was on drugs. 'He got extremely creative,' Paul responded. At another point, Steel asked the witness: 'You would not work for a criminal, would you?' 'Absolutely not,' Paul responded. Slavic, though, elicited Paul's mixed feelings about Combs when the prosecutor asked him just before he finished his testimony: 'Sitting here today, how do you feel about Mr. Combs?' 'It's complicated,' he answered. Paul, originally from Cleveland, was a 6-foot-2 guard who walked on at Syracuse University and came off the bench in 16 games over two seasons, playing a total of 17 minutes and scored just 3 points. He later transferred to lower-tier Fairmont State University in West Virginia, where he played for two more seasons.
NBC News
17 hours ago
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Brendan Paul, a former Combs' personal assistant, is expected to testify today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said Tuesday that the government will likely rest its case Friday, though that was before court was adjourned early Wednesday morning due to a sick juror. Combs' defense team said it needs two to five days to present its case, but that timeline isn't set in stone. Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him. This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. Sign up for the 'Diddy on Trial' newsletter for key developments and analysis, and listen to the 'Dateline' nightly podcast.
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Explosive new Diddy mansion pics reveal star's shelves stacked with baby oil, a vast weapons arsenal & ketamine stash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BOMBSHELL new images from Sean "Diddy" Combs' mansion have been revealed - with shelves stacked with baby oil, shotguns sprawled around, and his ketamine stash unveiled. The disgraced music mogul, 55, is currently on trial in New York for sex-trafficking, and faces life behind bars if convicted. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 10 Shelves of baby oil were photographed in the mansion Credit: Department of Justice 10 Agents also discovered various weaponry Credit: Department of Justice 10 Bags of ketamine were seized Credit: Department of Justice 10 Sean 'Diddy' Combs at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Credit: Getty He's pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution, as prosecutors alleged his business empire was also a criminal enterprise. The abundance of explosive pics were released by federal prosecutors as the trial was stalled due to the Juneteenth holiday. The bombshell items were seized by Homeland Security officials during the March 2024 raid at Combs' mansion in the neighborhood of Holmby Hills - a playground for the rich and famous. One chilling image shows baby oil neatly displayed across three shelves in one room of the sprawling property. READ MORE ON DIDDY TRIAL SHOCK Kanye sensationally crashes Diddy trial but 'storms out mins later' Homeland Security Investigations agent Andre Lamon has testified that he found 900 bottles of lubricant Astroglide and 200 bottles of baby oil at Combs' home. Defense Attorney Marc Agnifilo said the disgraced star likes to "buy in bulk like any other American". Another image shows various weapons confiscated by agents, including deadly AR-15 style rifles and pump shotguns. Investigators also discovered bags of the drug ketamine that were photographed as evidence. Federal prosecutors have alleged that the Schedule III, or Class B substance was used in the infamous "freak-offs". Combs would put women through days-long "freak-off" sex parties while filming them, a court heard last month. Kanye shows up to Diddy's sex trafficking trial in blacked out Maybach after being spotted in NYC with wife Bianca A few weeks ago, Combs' ex-girlfriend testified about opening "Pandora's box" after she agreed to the music executive's proposal to engage in sex with strangers. The woman, who is being identified in court under the pseudonym Jane, recalled on the stand about falling "head over heels" for Combs after they first met in late 2020. She said that she did various drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy, molly, and ketamine, every time she saw Combs between February and May 2021. During the March 2024 raid, a hard drive was also seized, and the property's security system was turned off. Combs forked out almost $40 million on the 17,000 square-foot, 10-bedroom home back in September 2014. He put it on the market a decade later for $61.5 million. The property boasts outdoor features such as a swimming pool, and its lawns are neat. Inside, there is a 35-seat theater room, a wine cellar, a gym, as well as a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen. 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But I know people are thinking about it. I think some people have been very close to asking." He said he felt the former music mogul used to like him "a lot" but wasn't his biggest fan after he went into politics. Despite this, Trump said, "I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me." If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673). Diddy locked eyes with us as he entered the courtroom - inside the trial of the decade By Israel S-Rodriguez, Senior News Reporter at The U.S. Sun The federal sex trafficking trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs began with jury selection on May 5. Combs is standing trial at the Southern District of New York Courthouse in Lower Manhattan - an intimidating federal courthouse where the cases of Ghislaine Maxwell, Donald Trump, and Bernard Madoff, among others, were tried. Once a powerful founder of a music and business empire, Combs has been reduced to a defendant, inmate 37452-054, stripped of his mogul status, and now standing trial on five federal charges with the full wrath of the United States government against him. When I attended Day 3 of jury selection at the federal courthouse on May 7, the buzz around the start of the trial was palpable. Hours before the courthouse opened its doors, more than a dozen reporters and members of the public stood in line in hopes of securing a seat in the gallery for the high-profile trial. As you walk through the glass door entrance of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse, you are met by bulletproof vest-clad court officers. All visitors must separate their electronic devices from their personal belongings, which are passed through a metal detector. Visitors walk through a metal detector before a court officer hands them a poker chip. The courthouse uses a poker chip system to sort the number of electronic devices visitors are in possession of. Electronic devices, such as Bluetooth-powered headphones, voice recorders, laptops, cellphones, and smart watches, are confiscated before you're allowed to enter the courthouse's main hallway. As about a half-dozen reporters and I waited in the gallery for jury selection, we witnessed how Combs entered the courtroom shackle-free. Combs entered with his hands pressed together, greeted his defense team before he examined the gallery, and locked eyes with reporters and potential jurors. The 55-year-old disgraced Bad Boy Records executive was attentive and engaged with his counsel as they grilled dozens of potential jurors. As jury selection wrapped up for the day, Combs embraced each of his female defense attorneys before he mouthed "thank you" to a handful of supporters in the gallery. I attended trial again as opening statements got underway on May 12 and the world media waited anxiously outside the federal courthouse before the sun rose in Lower Manhattan. A line stretched down the block from the federal courthouse as some members of the media and from the public camped out overnight to try to obtain a coveted seat inside the gallery. At least three overflow rooms were made available for reporters and the public, who are eager to witness the prosecutions case against the music mogul. At least half a dozen members of Combs' family arrived at the courthouse as spectators filed in single order to enter the federal building to turn over all their electronic devices. Combs' trial is being held on the 26th floor in Judge Arun Subramanian's courtroom and is expected to last for eight weeks. We'll bring it all to you on The U.S. Sun.
