Diddy's team slapped down by judge over bizarre Iran defense as monster trial nears verdict
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs' legal team was slapped down by the judge presiding over his trial because of their alleged attempt to use the escalating conflict with Iran in their upcoming closing argument.
As the disgraced hip-hop mogul's bombshell sex trafficking trial nears a verdict, his team of attorneys reportedly planned on bringing up the escalating tensions between the US and Iran in court in a bid to relate it to his case, TMZ reported Monday.
Sources told the outlet the 55-year-old's defense 'may invoke the recent conflict' in their closing argument, and specifically go after the Homeland Security Investigators who raided his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles in March.
They were allegedly planning to say that the agents 'instigated' their client on his baby oil and lubricant use in the bedroom when they should really focus more on the conflict with Iran, the source noted.
On Monday and day 28 of Combs' trial, Iran launched at least 10 missiles at US military bases in Qatar after Donald Trump bombed Iran's nuclear facilities Saturday.
In response to reports of the defense's bizarre plan, prosecutor Maurene Comey told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian 'I would object' if they chose to bring up politics, the 'propriety of this prosecution' and the use of government resources on Thursday - when closing arguments are set to begin.
In reference to the possibility that the defense might try to relate Iran or any other current political affairs to Combs' trial, his lead attorney Marc Agnifilo said: 'Nothing to worry about, judge.'
Combs' defense lasted just 23 minutes Tuesday after he officially confirmed he will not be testifying at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Federal Courthouse in New York City.
The three-time Grammy winner denies racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Not only did Combs announce he will not testify, but he also took a moment to schmooze the judge as he did so.
Agnifilo told the court they had 'discussed at length' the prospect of him giving evidence.
Combs stood up in court as Judge Subramanian asked him: 'Mr Combs, how are you feeling today?'
Speaking in a clear and confident voice, Combs said: 'I'm doing great. I wanted to tell you thank you, you're doing an excellent job.'
Combs denied he had taken drugs in the last 48 hours and confirmed his mind was clear, adding he had spoken to his lawyers 'thoroughly' about testifying.
As the judge tried to confirm Combs had made the decision by himself, Combs cut in and said: 'That is solely my decision. It's my decision with my lawyers'.
Combs appeared at ease with his decision as he was seen smiling and hugging his lawyers afterward.
He spoke briefly to a friend in the public gallery and appeared optimistic, saying: 'We'll see what happens.'
The prosecution brought 34 witnesses to the stand over the span of the trial and portrayed Combs as the head of a 'criminal enterprise' which covered up his 'freak offs' with ex-girlfriends, where they were allegedly forced to have sex with male escorts while he watched.
While his team wrapped up their defense quickly, prosecutors spent more than six weeks laying out their case against the embattled rapper.
Earlier in the day, the final witness for the prosecution was Joseph Cerciello, a Special Agent with the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
He walked the jury through summary charts showing text messages, hotel and flight reservations and financial records related to freak offs.
Combs' lawyer Teny Geragos attempted to show that the charts were not exhaustive and missed out evidence that painted a different picture.
The jury heard messages sent by Jane, one of Combs' ex-girlfriends who testified she was forced into freak offs out of fear he would stop paying her rent, from September 2021.
In the messages Combs wrote: 'That s*** was so f****** sexy the other night damn.'
The prosecution brought 34 witnesses to the stand over the span of the trial and portrayed Combs as the head of a 'criminal enterprise' which covered up his 'freak offs' with ex-girlfriends, where they were allegedly forced to have sex with male escorts while he watched
Jane replied: 'I haven't stopped thinking about it… Did you love it baby?'
Combs responded: 'Loved it' as Jane replied with a heart emoji.
In her testimony Jane broke down in tears while claiming that Combs threatened to release the videos of the freak offs.
But in texts from May 2023 she appeared to complain that he didn't record their sessions.
Jane wrote: 'The last time at the London (hotel) when I was super hot and you were (multiple emojis).
'We didn't film, you forgot it, you promised you wouldn't' forget.'
The jury was also shown more freak off videos - the fourth set they have seen.
During this time, Combs was seen leaning over in his seat, nearly standing up, as the final video played.
He was then spotted writing notes after looking over to the table in front of him where the clip played on the monitor.
Jurors were told to turn down the volume on their headphones to stop the audio being picked up by the courtroom microphones, which the judge asked to be muted.
The jury was dismissed Tuesday and are due back in court Thursday.
Closing arguments are anticipated to take place both Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm.
A charging conference, a meeting between the judge and the lawyers - usually held outside the presence of the jury - is taking place Wednesday starting at noon.
During this time, they will discuss and finalize the jury instructions - the rules of law the jury must follow when deciding the case.
Both sides will be able to propose instructions and object to others before the judge makes final decisions on what will be given to the jury.
The racketeering and sex trafficking charges against Combs, who is currently locked up at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, carry a minimum sentence of 15 years each.
Transportation to engage in prostitution carries a maximum of 10 years behind bars.
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