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The Independent
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Key moments from the sixth week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial
The sixth week of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial was shortened by a holiday and a juror's illness as prosecutors nearly concluded their case, setting the stage for a one- or two-day defense presentation next week. In the trial's first five weeks, jurors repeatedly heard testimony about drug-fueled marathon sex events described as 'freak-offs' by one of Combs' ex-girlfriends and as 'hotel nights' by another. In the sixth week, they were shown about 20 minutes of video recordings from the dayslong events. Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges in the trial, which continues Monday. Here are key moments from the past week: Jurors watch videos of 'freak-off' sex marathons they had heard so much about Jurors largely kept their reactions muted when they were shown about 20 minutes of recordings made by Combs of his then-girlfriends having sex with male sex workers at the elaborately staged 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights.' Prosecutors say the events were proof of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges because Combs coerced his employees, associates and even his girlfriends to recruit and arrange flights for sex workers while his workers obtained drugs, stocked hotel rooms with baby oil, lubricant, condoms, candles and liquor and delivered cash. In her opening statement, defense lawyer Teny Geragos had called the videos 'powerful evidence that the sexual conduct in this case was consensual and not based on coercion.' Prosecutors played about 2 minutes of the recordings before the defense team aired about 18 minutes of the videos. The public and the press were unable to observe whether the prosecutors or defense lawyers had the better arguments after the judge ruled that neither the recordings nor the sound could be seen or heard by anyone except lawyers, the judge and the jury. Several jurors seemed to cast their eyes and sometimes turn their bodies away from the screens directly in front of them while the recordings played. The jurors listened through earphones supplied by the court, as did Combs and lawyers. A juror is ejected from the panel by a judge who questions whether he has an agenda Judge Arun Subramanian started the week by dismissing a juror whose conflicting answers about whether he lived in New Jersey or New York convinced the judge he was a threat to the integrity of the trial. Subramanian said the juror's answers during jury selection and in the week before he was excused 'raised serious concerns as to the juror's candor and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury.' 'The inconsistencies — where the juror has lived and with whom — go to straightforward issues as to which there should not have been any doubts, and the answers also go to something vital: the basic qualifications of a juror to serve,' the judge said. Residents of New Jersey would not be permitted to sit on a New York federal jury. A day before Subramanian ruled, defense lawyers argued fiercely against dismissal, saying that replacing the Black juror with a white alternate juror so late in the trial would change the diverse demographics of the jury and require a mistrial. The jurors are anonymous for the Combs trial. It wasn't the only issue regarding jurors for the week. The judge, angered by a media report about the questioning of another juror the week before that occurred in a sealed proceeding, warned lawyers that they could face civil and criminal sanctions if such a leak happened again. That juror was not dismissed. And Wednesday's court session had to be canceled after a juror reported "vertigo symptoms" on the way to the courthouse. A defense lawyer predicts a presentation measured in hours rather than days Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo seemed to close the door on any chance Combs would testify when he said Friday that the defense presentation would be finished Tuesday or Wednesday the following week, even if prosecutors don't rest until late Monday. It is not uncommon for defendants to choose not to testify at criminal trials. Besides being exposed to cross-examination by prosecutors, the testimony can be used by the government against the defendant should there be a need for a retrial. Also, if there is a conviction, the judge can conclude that the jury believed the defendant lied on the stand. Another former Combs' employee requires immunity to testify about working for him Brendan Paul, fresh off the college basketball courts where he once played in a cameo role for Syracuse University, joined Combs' companies as a personal assistant in late 2022 and was warned by a friend who had worked for Combs about what was ahead. 'He told me to get in and get out,' Paul recalled for the jury, citing the endless days and always-on-edge existence. 'If you have a girlfriend, break up with her. And you're never going to see your family.' The friend also instructed him to 'build a rolodex of clientele and get out,' he said. Paul said he worked 80 to 100 hours a week for a music power broker who received 'thousands and thousands' of text messages and emails a day. He was paid $75,000 salary initially, but it was raised in January 2024 to $100,000. He said Combs told him he 'doesn't take no for an answer' and wanted his staff to 'move like Seal Team Six.' Several times, Paul said, he picked up drugs for Combs and knew to keep his boss out of the drug trade because 'it was very important to keep his profile low. He's a celebrity.' The job came to an abrupt end in March 2024 when Paul was arrested at a Miami airport on drug charges after a small amount of cocaine that he said he picked up in Combs' room that morning was mistakenly put in his travel bag as he prepared to join Combs on a trip to the Bahamas. The charges were later dropped in a pretrial diversion program. Paul said he hadn't seen Combs since.
Washington Post
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Diddy trial updates: Ex-assistant Brendan Paul set to testify in Sean Combs's case
Prosecutors plan to call one of their final witnesses in Sean 'Diddy' Combs's federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial on Friday: a former assistant to the music producer who has been granted immunity for testimony that could shed light on the operations of Combs's inner circle. For more than a month, the jury has been hearing from Combs's former employees and ex-girlfriends, as well as federal agents and other witnesses for the prosecution. The government argues the Bad Boy Records founder used his wealth, companies and vast influence in the music and media industries, as well blackmail, threats and violence, to force or coerce women into days-long sex performances with other men while he filmed and masturbated. Prosecutors have also argued that Combs and a small group of trusted employees committed and covered up a range of other crimes, including arson, kidnapping and narcotics distribution.
Fox News
21 hours ago
- Fox News
Diddy's alleged 'drug mule' takes the stand with immunity deal; trial reveals dark secrets
Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial will hear from a close ally of the rapper when former Syracuse basketball player Brendan Paul takes the stand Friday. Paul became embroiled in Diddy's legal drama in April 2024, after he was named in a lawsuit filed by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones against the disgraced mogul. The music producer claimed Paul worked as a "mule" for Combs, procuring and distributing "drugs and guns." The former college basketball star was then charged with felony cocaine possession, which was later dropped. Paul was given immunity in exchange for his testimony in Diddy's federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial. Nicole Blank Becker explained that Paul may be a crucial witness to the government as it attempts to tie up loose ends and wrap its case against Diddy. "In this particular case, why [Brendan Paul] may be important is because he is allegedly one of the individuals who supplied the drugs," Becker told Fox News Digital. "The distribution of drugs, giving other people drugs to make them intoxicated and possibly do more than they would do had they not been intoxicated – that's a predicate felony. "In other words, in order to prove this particular charge of racketeering, there's got to be a number of other felonies that they can connect," the attorney said. "Whether it's the coercion of women and/or they indicated about how ... [Diddy] brought [escorts] in. That's one way to prove a predicate. You have to prove two of them. So, another way to prove a predicate felony is bring in the guy who supposedly is the one who was supplying P. Diddy and or his people with what [the government is] gonna say, the drugs that he used [on others.]" Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17. Throughout two weeks of testimony, jurors heard allegations of "freak off" parties involving male escorts and Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The "Me & U" singer testified that drugs, including ecstasy, ketamine and cocaine, were in regular circulation during the "freak offs" for her to disassociate during the sessions. Cassie admitted ecstasy made her feel euphoric and aroused, while ketamine would make her dissociative. She said cocaine made her heart race, mushrooms made her see things and GHB, also known as the date rape drug, made her feel drunk. Another ex, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane," told prosecutors there were times she felt coerced into hotel nights with Diddy and that the Bad Boy Records founder still pays for both her legal fees and rent. Jane recalled alleged instances of abuse while dating Diddy on and off for three years and up until the week before he was arrested in New York City on federal charges. Jane told the court Diddy asked her about coercion after he allegedly forced her to take drugs before having sex with a male escort. She testified about Diddy's alleged violent behavior and said he once put her in a chokehold after kicking and punching her. Diddy's criminal defense lawyer, Teny Geragos, questioned Jane about her relationship with the rapper and her participation in the allegedly forced "hotel nights." Diddy paid Jane's rent through their "love contract," according to her testimony. The ex-girlfriend told the prosecution she felt obligated to perform at "hotel nights" for the rapper because he had threatened to stop paying for her home. For "hotel nights," Jane claimed she was expected to dress in lingerie and have sex with other men in front of the rapper. Audio released in Diddy's sex trafficking and racketeering trial featured the rapper calling Jane a "crack pipe." Jane claimed she was forced to continue having sex with multiple male escorts after becoming sick. Becker, who works as R. Kelly's defense attorney, explained why the government might offer immunity to witnesses the government wants to testify. In Diddy's sex trafficking case, Paul was the fifth witness granted immunity. "It is very common, especially in federal cases, that immunity is given to witnesses if they have the information or the insight that they need for their case," Becker said. "Oftentimes, those individuals who are given immunity, although they may have crimes that they are either facing or faced, they're usually a lot less in the hierarchy of crimes. "They're usually lower crimes in which the government says, 'You know what, this information that this particular person has is so important that we are willing to forego whatever you've got going on in the criminal section or division now here so that we can have you testify in this bigger case.' WATCH: SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS ASSAULTS CASSIE VENTURA IN 2016 HOTEL INCIDENT "Their goal, i.e. the government, is to get in as much possible information from anybody who knows anything." Nearly six weeks after the trial began, prosecutors indicated they'd rest their case by Friday. The rapper's legal team recently told Judge Arun Subramanian it will need between two and five days to present its case, a stark contrast to its initial request of up to two weeks with witnesses on the stand. Becker noted there were a lot of questions whether the government was "actually proving anything specific" to the charges Diddy faced. WATCH: LEGAL EXPERT DISCUSSES DIFFICULTIES WITH DIDDY TRIAL "Yes, there was domestic violence. Yes, there was some … relationships and physical violence happening, but does that rise to the level of what he's actually charged with in the federal court?" Becker said. "I think at the beginning there were question marks everywhere. However, I think as time goes on, what does the government do? "They just throw up witness after witness. Although those individual witnesses have their own story, together they form what they are trying to form, which is this step beneath P. Diddy, who's up here. And these individuals, each individual person has a role in what they're calling the enterprise." Becker said this was the connection the government was attempting to prove to the 12 jurors. "In a vacuum, if we just had the first witness or we just had Jane, who just testified, people, I think, would be a little confused, like, 'Wait a minute.' Maybe call him a bad boyfriend, a bad person, a bad husband for sure, based on what we see, for example, in the video," Becker said. "But does that rise to the level that the government needs to get to in order for an ultimate verdict of guilty? "I think, like I said, at the beginning, it was a little shaky. However, as time goes on, they are able to put in their different witnesses and really shape what they're trying to shape, which is to basically, you know, this charge of RICO in the United States. This has not, it was not initially made for purposes of the way it's being used now."
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Sean "Diddy" Combs trial delayed for the day after juror calls out sick
Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking and racketeering trial in New York City was adjourned for the day Wednesday due to a sick juror. The juror called out sick with vertigo symptoms and court was adjourned until Friday. There is no court Thursday in observance of Juneteenth. Prosecutors had indicated earlier this week that they would likely rest their case by Wednesday or Friday, which may now get pushed to next week. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts and faces up to life in prison if convicted. He is accused of coercing women to participate in sexual encounters with male sex workers during so-called "freak-offs." His lawyers claim the encounters were consensual. So far, jurors heard from Combs' ex-girlfriend and singer Cassandra Ventura, another ex-girlfriend who is testifying under the pseudonym "Jane," as well as several former employees and rapper Kid Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi. Earlier this week, a juror was dismissed over questions about where he lives. The 41-year-old Black man was replaced with a 57-year-old white alternate. Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial shown "freak-off" videos On Tuesday, the jury was shown nearly 20 minutes of explicit video recordings of those "freak-off" encounters from 2012 and 2014. Spectators were blocked from seeing or hearing the graphic evidence. As the recordings were played, one juror seemed to turn away from his video screen for most of the time, although he kept on earphones carrying the sound to jurors. Other jurors sat back in their seats as the recordings played on the screens in front of them. A day earlier, prosecutors had shown jurors about two minutes of snippets of the recordings. In her opening statement on May 12, defense lawyer Teny Geragos called the videos "powerful evidence that the sexual conduct in this case was consensual and not based on coercion." "Some of you may find them hard to watch. Not because they are violent, not because they are non-consensual, but because they were never meant to be seen by people outside of that room. They are in one word — intimate. And they were always meant to remain that way," she said. She added: "These videos will feel invasive, but the government has charged him with sex trafficking, and the evidence of the alleged sex trafficking is on these videos. This is why you will have to see them." In her opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said Combs "used lies, drugs, threats, and violence to force and coerce, first, Cassie, and later Jane, to have sex with him in front of male escorts. The defendant insisted that the sex occur in a very specific, highly orchestrated way." contributed to this report.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Viral spectacle: Influencers cash in on Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial as TikTok, YouTube coverage surges
NEW YORK, June 18 — The criminal trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs is now in its sixth week of testimony — and interest among influencers and YouTubers is still soaring, as online personalities flock to the Manhattan federal courthouse to livestream their musings. Every day, it's the same routine: content creators on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube rub shoulders with legacy media organisations as they set up cell phone tripods and stage their shows, enthusiastically relaying their hot takes. The trial of Combs, once a titan of the music industry who faces life in prison if convicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, can't be broadcast. The federal courthouse doesn't allow cameras, laptops, phones or even wireless headphones inside. So, alongside the many journalists covering the trial, influencers hustle in and out of the courthouse throughout the day to recount the proceedings beat by beat, dropping off and picking up their electronics at security each time. One woman who goes by the TikTok name 'KealoHalika' said in the first two days of testimony she earned an estimated 10,500 followers; her account now has 40,500 followers. 'It was like craziness,' she told AFP outside the courthouse. 'It's been a lot of moving pieces. It's definitely changed my life.' People wait in line outside federal court before the sex trafficking trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs in New York City on May 13, 2025. — AFP pic Combs is incarcerated and doesn't enter or exit the courthouse publicly. But some of the high-profile attendees and witnesses do, including members of the music mogul's family and figures like Kid Cudi, the rapper who testified that Combs's entourage torched his car. These paparazzi-esque arrivals and exits are catnip for content creators to in turn feed their followers. The brief cameo of Ye, who stopped by to lend his 'support' to Combs amid the proceedings, was a particular field day for the chronically online. Donat Ricketts, a 32-year-old artist from Los Angeles, was a regular at the high-profile Tory Lanez and A$AP Rocky trials in California. He told AFP he makes between US$8,000 and US$10,000 (RM33,980 and RM42,475) a month, including through YouTube's ad revenue programme and fan donations. 'This is my first time traveling to another state to cover a case,' said the creator with about 50,000 YouTube subscribers. 'It feels like vacation, plus I'm being able to work and make money from YouTube.' Ricketts didn't study journalism — but he thinks his 'big personality' and ability to relate to online viewers sets him apart. 'This case is the turning point where mainstream media knows that the 'independent journalists' are a force to be reckoned with,' he said. Media and television crews are set up outside federal court before the sex trafficking trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs in New York City on May 15, 2025. — AFP pic 'Personal narrative' According to a 2024 Pew Research Centre study, one in five Americans get news from influencers online; for people under 30, the share jumps to 37 per cent. Reece Peck, a professor of political communication and journalism at the City University of New York, called the competition among content creators 'Darwinian.' 'They're so scared of losing their clientele or their audience. And so with that logic, that you have to constantly create content, the news cycle is such an attractive source of material,' Peck told AFP. And the Combs trial is a fount, he said: 'It's sex, it's violence, and it's celebrity.' Emilie Hagen said she does have a journalism degree but these days publishes via her Substack, also putting out content on Instagram and TikTok. 'I'm there every day providing humorous updates,' she told AFP of the Combs trial. Dozens of traditional media outlets are providing coverage and analysis of the trial. But Hagen said she's 'able to go down rabbit holes that they're not allowed to go down.' 'I don't have to stick to the daily recap,' she said. 'I can insert a personal narrative.' Many of her most fruitful videos are of 'me interacting with all of the wild people that come to the trial outside the courthouse,' she added. Hagen said she's notched 12,000 more Instagram followers and 10,000 more on TikTok since proceedings began. She said some fans have donated, which recently allowed her to hire a linesitter. Getting into the main courtroom, as opposed to overflow rooms with video feeds of the trial, can require either arriving overnight or the day prior, and many influencers along with media outlets like ABC News and The New York Times hire people to hold spots. But even with the deluge of news updates from media outlets and content streams from influencers, some people still want to see the trial for themselves. Val Solit, a teacher from Los Angeles on vacation to New York, dropped by the proceedings after having lunch in nearby Chinatown with her partner. 'I like crime and dramas,' she told AFP, likening the hype to the 1990s-era trial of O.J. Simpson. 'It was kind of fascinating to come and see it.' 'It's history in the making.' — AFP
