Jury begins deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial
After receiving legal instructions from federal Judge Arun Subramanian, the jury of eight men and four women headed behind closed doors to deliberate on Monday.
They will sift through seven weeks of sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about the rap, fashion and reality TV impresario, including drug-fuelled sex marathons dubbed 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights'.
Jurors are being provided with a laptop loaded with all of the exhibits shown in court, including text messages, photographs and videos of the sexual encounters at the heart of the case.
As he sent the jury to deliberate, Judge Subramanian told the five alternate jurors to remain on standby in case they are needed to fill in on the main jury.
About 10 minutes into deliberations, the jury sent a note indicating they had completed their first order of business: electing a foreperson.
Combs, 55, faced his family and supporters, who are in the courtroom gallery, all who were bowing their heads in prayer — his family members holding hands with each other.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking — relating to two of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly sex workers across state lines.
In closing arguments last week, prosecutors and Combs's defence team took their last shots at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founder of Bad Boy Records.
'The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,' assistant US attorney Christy Slavik said.
'He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law.'
Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo countered: 'This isn't about crime. It's about money.'
He noted that one of Combs's accusers in the criminal case also sued him in civil court.
In all, 34 witnesses gave evidence, headlined by Combs's former girlfriends Cassie — the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and 'Jane' who gave evidence under a pseudonym.
Both women said he often was violent towards them and forced them into hundreds of sexual encounters with paid male sex workers.
Jurors also saw now-infamous security camera video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 and clips from videos of sexual encounters.
Combs chose not to give evidence, and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in their defence case.
His lawyers elected instead to challenge the accusers' credibility during lengthy cross-examination questioning.
The defence has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, but his lawyers maintain that the sex acts were consensual.
They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs's personal life and that he has done nothing to warrant the charges against him.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Sean 'Diddy' Combs jury passing notes to judge 'could be a good sign' for rapper
The jury in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial have asked two questions to the judge, as they begin their deliberations in the high-profile case The fact the jury deliberating in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial sent two notes to the judge could be a good sign for the embattled rapper, it's been claimed. The music mogul, 55, is currently awaiting his fate at the hands of 12 jurors as his sex-trafficking trial comes to a conclusion. Jury deliberations commenced on Monday, but things took an unexpected turn when two notes were handed over to the presiding judge from the jury. The first note revealed concerns from a juror about their ability to comprehend the extensive 61-page instructions delivered by the judge right before deliberations got underway. Despite this, Judge Arun Subramanian was adamant that jurors should strictly adhere to his directions, even if it meant the deliberative process would be prolonged. Hours later, the second note sought further explanation concerning the section on drug distribution within the instructions—a key point in Combs' racketeering conspiracy charge. This request was addressed, and deliberations proceeded, with speculation that a verdict might come down by this afternoon (UK time). Combs finds himself facing serious allegations including two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering—all charges he vehemently denies. The music industry titan could be sentenced to life imprisonment if found guilty. But Combs may be heartened by the jury's note-passing. Mitch Epner, a New York-based lawyer and former prosecutor, argues that the notes may turn out to be good sign for Combs. "First, it is unusual for the jurors to send a note to the judge this early, other than asking for logistical help. Second, this note indicates that there may already be a breakdown in the deliberative process," he tells the BBC. A conviction requires the full agreement of the jury panel. The reasons behind the unease concerning juror number 25, and their struggle to adhere to the judge's guidance remain unrevealed. Epner highlighted that while a juror can be dismissed for not engaging in deliberations, they cannot be ousted solely for "having come to a fixed conclusion about the proper verdict". In the final arguments last week, both federal prosecutors and Combs' defence team made their concluding attempts to sway the jury towards conviction or acquittal. Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik argued: "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted. He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law." She accused him of relying on a "close inner circle and a small army of personal staff, who made it their mission to meet the defendant's every desire, promote his power and protect his reputation at all costs." However, Combs' defence attorney Marc Agnifilo countered these claims, stating: "This isn't about crime. It's about money." He pointed out that one of the accusers had also filed a civil lawsuit against Combs. Agnifilo defended his client, saying: "He is not a racketeer. He is not a conspirator to commit racketeering. He is none of these things. He is innocent. He sits there innocent. Return him to his family, who have been waiting for him," as he addressed the jury.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
James Cameron labels Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning triumph 'a moral cop out'
James Cameron has criticised Sir Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning blockbuster Oppenheimer after signing up to direct a film on the fallout at Hiroshima. Titanic and Avatar director Cameron, 70, is helming a screen adaptation of upcoming book Ghosts of Hiroshima. The book by Charles Pellegrino is based on 'years of forensic archaeology' alongside over 200 interviews with survivors of the atomic bomb dropping in August 1945 and their families. Discussing his approach for the upcoming film, Cameron shared his vision and how it differed quite drastically from that of Sir Christopher and his 2023 hit movie. Known for being outspoken, Cameron gave his frank opinion on what the film did – and didn't – cover and speculated as to why. 'It's interesting what he stayed away from. Look, I love the filmmaking, but I did feel that it was a bit of a moral cop out,' he told Deadline, adding that 'it's not like Oppenheimer didn't know the effects'. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'He's got one brief scene in the film where we see — and I don't like to criticise another filmmaker's film – but there's only one brief moment where he sees some charred bodies in the audience and then the film goes on to show how it deeply moved him. 'But I felt that it dodged the subject.' The scene shows Cillian Murphy as titular physicist J Robert Oppenheimer having a nightmare after seeing slides depicting casualties and the impact of his work, leading to him to imagine the face melting off a young woman who was played by Sir Christopher's daughter, Flora, in a cameo. However, despite its box office and awards success – grossing over $975million (£708m) and winning seven Oscars – Cameron is not the first to question the film's apparent reluctance to engage with the horrific outcome of its protagonist's work. The two bombs dropped on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki are thought to have killed between 150,000 and 246,000 people. Cameron added: 'I don't know whether the studio or Chris felt that that was a third rail that they didn't want to touch, but I want to go straight at the third rail. I'm just stupid that way.' Sir Christopher previously shared his reasons for choosing not to depict the bombings in detail, explaining: 'I think really, as a filmmaker, you can't be overly conscious about why you choose to do things. You have to run on instinct to a degree. 'But the feeling for me as a filmmaker was very strongly that to depart from Oppenheimer's experience would betray the terms of the storytelling.' He shared (via NBC) that Oppenheimer learned about the bombings taking place on the radio, 'the same as the rest of the world', which he found 'a shock' when realising that was the case while reading the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography American Prometheus. 'Everything is his experience, or my interpretation of his experience,' the Memento director continued. 'Because as I keep reminding everyone, it's not a documentary. It is an interpretation. That's my job.' More Trending Cameron, who has said his film will be 'apolitical', has also revealed he expects Ghosts of Hiroshima to be the lowest-grossing film of his career, given the topic. While that might sound a surprising statement, given his status as king of the Hollywood blockbusters it makes a little more sense. He currently boasts three films in the top five list of highest-grossing movies ever, with Avatar in the top spot on $2.92billion (£2.12bn), its 2022 sequel Avatar: The Way of Life at third and previous long-running number one Titanic at four. Third instalment Avatar: Fire and Ash is due for release in December, while Sir Christopher will be back next summer with his take on Greek epic The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 28 Years Later ending explained by star, and what it could mean for sequel MORE: 'Mind-bending' horror film available to stream for free as sequel wows critics MORE: Ralph Fiennes warns new Voldemort in Harry Potter TV series of danger
Rhyl Journal
9 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Jury begins deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial
After receiving legal instructions from federal Judge Arun Subramanian, the jury of eight men and four women headed behind closed doors to deliberate on Monday. They will sift through seven weeks of sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about the rap, fashion and reality TV impresario, including drug-fuelled sex marathons dubbed 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights'. Jurors are being provided with a laptop loaded with all of the exhibits shown in court, including text messages, photographs and videos of the sexual encounters at the heart of the case. As he sent the jury to deliberate, Judge Subramanian told the five alternate jurors to remain on standby in case they are needed to fill in on the main jury. About 10 minutes into deliberations, the jury sent a note indicating they had completed their first order of business: electing a foreperson. Combs, 55, faced his family and supporters, who are in the courtroom gallery, all who were bowing their heads in prayer — his family members holding hands with each other. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking — relating to two of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly sex workers across state lines. In closing arguments last week, prosecutors and Combs's defence team took their last shots at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founder of Bad Boy Records. 'The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,' assistant US attorney Christy Slavik said. 'He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law.' Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo countered: 'This isn't about crime. It's about money.' He noted that one of Combs's accusers in the criminal case also sued him in civil court. In all, 34 witnesses gave evidence, headlined by Combs's former girlfriends Cassie — the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and 'Jane' who gave evidence under a pseudonym. Both women said he often was violent towards them and forced them into hundreds of sexual encounters with paid male sex workers. Jurors also saw now-infamous security camera video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 and clips from videos of sexual encounters. Combs chose not to give evidence, and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in their defence case. His lawyers elected instead to challenge the accusers' credibility during lengthy cross-examination questioning. The defence has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, but his lawyers maintain that the sex acts were consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs's personal life and that he has done nothing to warrant the charges against him.
