Latest news with #DiddyonTrial
NBC News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
In closing arguments, Diddy lawyer says Cassie relationship was a 'great modern love story'
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs' federal trial. Today, jurors in Diddy's trial heard closing arguments from defense attorney Marc Agnifilo. Agnifilo, who addressed the panel for four hours, forcefully and sometimes derisively pushed back on the U.S. government's 'exaggerated' narrative. He asserted that Diddy was being unfairly persecuted for his sexual 'lifestyle,' insisting that his client was innocent of all charges. Agnifilo said the defense doesn't dispute that Diddy physically assaulted his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. ('We own the domestic violence,' Agnifilo said. 'I hope you guys know that.') But the rapper 'did not do the things he is charged with, racketeering or sex trafficking,' the attorney added. 'He is going to fight to the death to defend himself against what he didn't do.' The prosecution team alleges that Diddy sex-trafficked Ventura and another ex-girlfriend, ' Jane,' forcing them to participate in the drug-dazed 'freak offs' at the heart of the case. Agnifilo rejected that version of events, referring to Diddy's relationship with Ventura as 'a great modern love story' between two 'swingers.' Agnifilo argued that both women were consenting and sometimes enthusiastic participants in 'freak offs,' which the lawyer characterized as pleasant evenings in 'beautiful hotel rooms.' He attempted to downplay the marathon sexual encounters, including the fact that Diddy recorded them on video. 'He's not the only man in America making homemade porn,' Agnifilo said. In closing, Agnifilo implored the jury to 'summon the courage' and acquit Diddy. 'I am asking you to acquit Sean Combs of all the counts. He is not a racketeer,' Agnifilo said. 'He sits there innocent, so return him to his family.' What's next: The jury will get the case first thing Monday, Subramanian confirmed this afternoon. Then it can start deliberations. We'll keep you updated on all the key developments. The view from inside By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and Jing Feng Agnifilo spoke animatedly, occasionally using a biting and jocular tone to convey skepticism about the government's case against his client. In one notable moment, Agnifilo appeared to mock the federal law enforcement officers who searched Diddy's houses, remarking that the agents made America 'safe from Astroglide,' the lubricant brand the rapper used for 'freak offs' with ex-girlfriends and male escorts. 'Way to go, fellas,' Agnifilo said. 'You guys just do you.' When the jurors were on a break, Maurene Comey, one of the prosecutors, complained to Judge Arun Subramanian about Agnifilo's tone. 'Respectfully,' Agnifilo replied, 'I think I'm allowed to be sarcastic.' In the prosecution's rebuttal, Comey said Diddy's defense team served up 'lies' and 'excuse after excuse' for the defendant's 'inexcusable behavior.' She added: 'Make no mistake, this trial was how, in Sean Combs' world, 'no' was never an option.' In other news: Diddy, sitting close to the defense table, appeared engaged during Agnifilo's summation — a sharp contrast with his generally downcast appearance during prosecutor Christy Slavik 's closing arguments yesterday. The music tycoon acknowledged his family in the courtroom earlier in the day, forming his hands into a heart and giving them a thumb-up.
NBC News
a day ago
- NBC News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Defense to deliver closing arguments
What to know about the trial In the prosecution's closing arguments, assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik urged members of the jury to use common sense. 'It is time to hold him accountable, it is time for justice,' Slavic said. 'And it's time to find him guilty.' 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prosecutor details Diddy's alleged criminal ‘kingdom' in closing arguments
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. Sign up to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs' federal trial. Today, U.S. government prosecutor Christy Slavik delivered closing arguments to the jury. Slavik, who addressed jurors for nearly five hours, painted a scathing portrait of Diddy, casting the defendant as 'the leader of a criminal enterprise' who did 'not take no for an answer' and 'used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted.' 'It was his kingdom,' Slavik said. 'Everyone was there to serve him.' In painstaking detail, Slavik walked the 12-person panel through the federal government's three charges against Diddy. She asserted that the evidence, when tied together, showed beyond a reasonable doubt that the music mogul was guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The center of the government's case: drug-fueled 'freak offs.' Slavik detailed how Diddy relied on his inner circle to force ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and 'Jane' into participating in marathon sexual encounters with male escorts. She argued that Diddy's employees carried out an array of crimes to 'make him happy,' including kidnapping, arson and bribery. 'He was able to get away with it due to his money, power and influence, and that stops now,' Slavik said in closing. 'It is time to hold him accountable. It is time for justice. It is time to find him guilty.' We felt nervous energy coursing through the packed courtroom this morning as Diddy's family members took their seats and Slavik prepared to deliver her closing argument. Diddy, wearing light pants and a white sweater, entered a short time later. He looked at his family and put his hand to his heart. At one point, Diddy's twin daughters passed a note to defense attorney Teny Geragos. She handed it to Diddy, who smiled. In the second hour of Slavik's summation, Diddy started to take on a noticeably more downcast appearance. He sat back in his chair with his head down while Slavik detailed the government's sex trafficking charges, looking completely dejected — even defeated. Later, he kept his eyes on the floor when Slavik played the infamous video recording of Diddy kicking and dragging Ventura in a hallway at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016. PSA: Every night during Diddy's trial, NBC's 'Dateline' will drop special episodes of the 'True Crime Weekly' podcast to get you up to speed. 'Dateline' correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News' Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here. This article was originally published on
NBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Prosecutor details Diddy's alleged criminal ‘kingdom' in closing arguments
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs' federal trial. Today, U.S. government prosecutor Christy Slavik delivered closing arguments to the jury. Slavik, who addressed jurors for nearly five hours, painted a scathing portrait of Diddy, casting the defendant as 'the leader of a criminal enterprise' who did 'not take no for an answer' and 'used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted.' 'It was his kingdom,' Slavik said. 'Everyone was there to serve him.' In painstaking detail, Slavik walked the 12-person panel through the federal government's three charges against Diddy. She asserted that the evidence, when tied together, showed beyond a reasonable doubt that the music mogul was guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The center of the government's case: drug-fueled 'freak offs.' Slavik detailed how Diddy relied on his inner circle to force ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and ' Jane ' into participating in marathon sexual encounters with male escorts. She argued that Diddy's employees carried out an array of crimes to 'make him happy,' including kidnapping, arson and bribery. 'He was able to get away with it due to his money, power and influence, and that stops now,' Slavik said in closing. 'It is time to hold him accountable. It is time for justice. It is time to find him guilty.' 🔎 The view from inside By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and Jing Feng We felt nervous energy coursing through the packed courtroom this morning as Diddy's family members took their seats and Slavik prepared to deliver her closing argument. Diddy, wearing light pants and a white sweater, entered a short time later. He looked at his family and put his hand to his heart. At one point, Diddy's twin daughters passed a note to defense attorney Teny Geragos. She handed it to Diddy, who smiled. In the second hour of Slavik's summation, Diddy started to take on a noticeably more downcast appearance. He sat back in his chair with his head down while Slavik detailed the government's sex trafficking charges, looking completely dejected — even defeated. Later, he kept his eyes on the floor when Slavik played the infamous video recording of Diddy kicking and dragging Ventura in a hallway at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016. PSA: Every night during Diddy's trial, NBC's 'Dateline' will drop special episodes of the 'True Crime Weekly' podcast to get you up to speed. 'Dateline' correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News' Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here.
NBC News
3 days ago
- NBC News
Diddy trial judge meets with lawyers to discuss jury instructions
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs' federal trial. Today, Judge Arun Subramanian and the attorneys on both sides of the case held what's known as a charge conference — a meeting where the key players finalize instructions for the jury. (The jurors, who have spent much of the last seven weeks listening to testimony and reviewing evidence, got a day off.) Subramanian opened the conference by announcing that prosecutors and defense lawyers had agreed on language for the verdict form. He then turned his attention to the charge sheet, a document that explains the counts against the defendant. The judge gave the attorneys a chance to raise objections page by page, line by line, word by word. In other news: U.S. government prosecutors are tightening their case against Diddy. In a letter filed yesterday, they asked the judge to strike language regarding 'attempted' kidnapping and arson from jury instructions. NBC News' David K. Li has more details here. The stage is now set for closing arguments. Reminder: U.S. government prosecutors are seeking to convict Diddy on three charges — racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have insisted he was never the head of an alleged criminal enterprise. 🔎 The view from inside By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and Jing Feng Subramanian seemed surprised — or maybe just amused — by the number of reporters who showed up for today's charge conference. 'This is the most people I have seen at a charge conference,' the judge said. 'Buckle in!' 👨⚖️ Analysis: Why charge conferences matter By Danny Cevallos The charge conference might seem dry, but it's one of the most critical stages of the trial. It's tedious to spend the day nitpicking about whether to add a word or a comma to an instruction about consent or payment for sex. At the same time, these words are arguably much more important than anything the lawyers say in their closings. The jurors are told that what the lawyers say is not evidence. They are told that the jury instructions are the law. So, the charge conference is sometimes marked by long periods of boredom, punctuated by moments of terror — often wondering if the terminology that just found its way into the instructions will make the difference between a guilty verdict or an acquittal. Especially for trial lawyers, who have just completed the performative, adrenaline-fueled examinations of witnesses for weeks, suddenly sitting down for a day and quietly staring at reams of paper can be something of a crash. And, while they are likely all looking ahead and focusing on their closing arguments, the charge conference may be where the battle is truly won or lost.
