Latest news with #Sean"Diddy"Combs'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
P Diddy trial verdict chaos as jury hands judge two notes before deliberations
Deliberations in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking trial hit a snag almost as soon as they started on Monday, leaving Judge Arun Subramanian to remind jurors of his instructions on the law Jury deliberations in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking trial quickly hit a snag yesterday - as two notes were handed to the judge. One message highlighted a juror was concerned they were unable to follow the 61 pages worth of instructions the judge had just read to them before the deliberations started. However, Judge Arun Subramanian insisted all the jurors follow his instructions rigidly - even if deliberations take some time. The second note - sent several hours later - asked for clarification on the part of the instructions addressing drug distribution — an allegation included in Combs' racketeering conspiracy charge. This was addressed and deliberations continue, with some indication a verdict may be reached this afternoon (UK time). Diddy, 55, has been charged with two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and one count of racketeering. He denies any wrongdoing. The hip-hop mogul could face life in jail if convicted. The defendant and his supporters bowed their heads in prayer in the courtroom moments before the jury - comprised of eight men and four women - was let out to deliberate. The jurors must now sift through seven weeks of sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about the musician, who has won three Grammy Awards. The trial had heard about Diddy's propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, including drug-fueled sex marathons dubbed "freak-offs" or "hotel nights." Wearing his customary sweater and khakis, Combs stood facing his supporters in the audience and bowed his head with them. As they finished, they applauded, along with the hip-hop legend. The star, born in New York City, has pleaded not guilty to federal 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 his girlfriends and sex workers across state lines. In closing arguments last week, federal prosecutors and Combs' defence team took their last shots at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the musician. Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik said: "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 said that he used his "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." But defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo hit back. He said: "This isn't about crime. It's about money." He noted that one of Combs' accusers in the criminal case also sued him in civil court. "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,' the lawyer told jurors.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Jury in Diddy sex trafficking trial starts deliberating
A jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial has begun its deliberations after hearing duelling narratives from prosecutors and defence lawyers last week about whether the music mogul forced his former girlfriends to take part in drug-fuelled sexual performances. The 12-member jury filed out of the courtroom to start deliberations after hearing legal instructions from US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court. "Each of you must make your own decision about the proper outcome of this case," Subramanian said. "No juror should surrender his or her conscientious beliefs for the purpose of returning a unanimous verdict." There is no time frame for deliberations, and any verdict must be unanimous. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in US culture, Combs could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted on all five counts. Over more than six weeks of testimony, two of Combs' former girlfriends - the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane - told jurors that he forced them to take part in the performances with paid male escorts, sometimes known as "Freak Offs," while he watched and occasionally filmed. Both women testified that Combs beat them, and jurors saw a hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking Ventura in a hallway in 2016. "Cassie repeatedly told you that the defendant's violence was in the back of her mind whenever he proposed a Freak Off," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on Thursday. "The whole point was to control Cassie, to make her afraid to say no to the defendant. And it worked." Combs' lawyers acknowledged that he was at times violent in domestic relationships but argued that Ventura and Jane took part consensually in the performances. During cross-examination, the defence highlighted tender and sexually explicit text messages the women sent Combs over the course of their years-long relationships with him. "If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn't all be here," defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo said during his closing argument on Friday. "He did not do the things he's charged with." The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs lived a lavish lifestyle in his Miami and Los Angeles mansions and was feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars. He has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial has begun its deliberations after hearing duelling narratives from prosecutors and defence lawyers last week about whether the music mogul forced his former girlfriends to take part in drug-fuelled sexual performances. The 12-member jury filed out of the courtroom to start deliberations after hearing legal instructions from US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court. "Each of you must make your own decision about the proper outcome of this case," Subramanian said. "No juror should surrender his or her conscientious beliefs for the purpose of returning a unanimous verdict." There is no time frame for deliberations, and any verdict must be unanimous. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in US culture, Combs could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted on all five counts. Over more than six weeks of testimony, two of Combs' former girlfriends - the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane - told jurors that he forced them to take part in the performances with paid male escorts, sometimes known as "Freak Offs," while he watched and occasionally filmed. Both women testified that Combs beat them, and jurors saw a hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking Ventura in a hallway in 2016. "Cassie repeatedly told you that the defendant's violence was in the back of her mind whenever he proposed a Freak Off," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on Thursday. "The whole point was to control Cassie, to make her afraid to say no to the defendant. And it worked." Combs' lawyers acknowledged that he was at times violent in domestic relationships but argued that Ventura and Jane took part consensually in the performances. During cross-examination, the defence highlighted tender and sexually explicit text messages the women sent Combs over the course of their years-long relationships with him. "If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn't all be here," defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo said during his closing argument on Friday. "He did not do the things he's charged with." The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs lived a lavish lifestyle in his Miami and Los Angeles mansions and was feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars. He has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial has begun its deliberations after hearing duelling narratives from prosecutors and defence lawyers last week about whether the music mogul forced his former girlfriends to take part in drug-fuelled sexual performances. The 12-member jury filed out of the courtroom to start deliberations after hearing legal instructions from US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court. "Each of you must make your own decision about the proper outcome of this case," Subramanian said. "No juror should surrender his or her conscientious beliefs for the purpose of returning a unanimous verdict." There is no time frame for deliberations, and any verdict must be unanimous. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in US culture, Combs could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted on all five counts. Over more than six weeks of testimony, two of Combs' former girlfriends - the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane - told jurors that he forced them to take part in the performances with paid male escorts, sometimes known as "Freak Offs," while he watched and occasionally filmed. Both women testified that Combs beat them, and jurors saw a hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking Ventura in a hallway in 2016. "Cassie repeatedly told you that the defendant's violence was in the back of her mind whenever he proposed a Freak Off," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on Thursday. "The whole point was to control Cassie, to make her afraid to say no to the defendant. And it worked." Combs' lawyers acknowledged that he was at times violent in domestic relationships but argued that Ventura and Jane took part consensually in the performances. During cross-examination, the defence highlighted tender and sexually explicit text messages the women sent Combs over the course of their years-long relationships with him. "If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn't all be here," defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo said during his closing argument on Friday. "He did not do the things he's charged with." The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs lived a lavish lifestyle in his Miami and Los Angeles mansions and was feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars. He has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial has begun its deliberations after hearing duelling narratives from prosecutors and defence lawyers last week about whether the music mogul forced his former girlfriends to take part in drug-fuelled sexual performances. The 12-member jury filed out of the courtroom to start deliberations after hearing legal instructions from US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court. "Each of you must make your own decision about the proper outcome of this case," Subramanian said. "No juror should surrender his or her conscientious beliefs for the purpose of returning a unanimous verdict." There is no time frame for deliberations, and any verdict must be unanimous. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in US culture, Combs could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted on all five counts. Over more than six weeks of testimony, two of Combs' former girlfriends - the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane - told jurors that he forced them to take part in the performances with paid male escorts, sometimes known as "Freak Offs," while he watched and occasionally filmed. Both women testified that Combs beat them, and jurors saw a hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking Ventura in a hallway in 2016. "Cassie repeatedly told you that the defendant's violence was in the back of her mind whenever he proposed a Freak Off," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on Thursday. "The whole point was to control Cassie, to make her afraid to say no to the defendant. And it worked." Combs' lawyers acknowledged that he was at times violent in domestic relationships but argued that Ventura and Jane took part consensually in the performances. During cross-examination, the defence highlighted tender and sexually explicit text messages the women sent Combs over the course of their years-long relationships with him. "If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn't all be here," defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo said during his closing argument on Friday. "He did not do the things he's charged with." The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs lived a lavish lifestyle in his Miami and Los Angeles mansions and was feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars. He has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Jury in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial to start deliberating
FILE PHOTO: Prosecutor Emily Johnson questions rapper Kid Cudi as he testifies at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., May 22, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg/File Photo NEW YORK (Reuters) -The jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial is expected to begin its deliberations on Monday, after hearing dueling narratives from prosecutors and defense lawyers last week about whether the music mogul forced his former girlfriends to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture, Combs could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted on all five counts. Over more than six weeks of testimony in Manhattan federal court, two of Combs' former girlfriends -- the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane -- told the 12-member jury that he forced them to take part in the performances with paid male escorts, sometimes known as "Freak Offs," while he watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. Both women testified that Combs beat them, and jurors saw a hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking Ventura in a hallway in 2016. "Cassie repeatedly told you that the defendant's violence was in the back of her mind whenever he proposed a Freak Off," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on Thursday. "The whole point was to control Cassie, to make her afraid to say no to the defendant. And it worked." Combs' lawyers acknowledged that he was at times violent in domestic relationships, but argued Ventura and Jane took part consensually in the performances. During cross-examination, the defense highlighted tender and sexually explicit text messages the women sent Combs over the course of their years-long relationships with him. "If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn't all be here," defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said during his closing argument on Friday. "He did not do the things he's charged with." The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs lived a lavish lifestyle in his Miami and Los Angeles mansions and was feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars. He has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York;Editing by Noeleen Walder and Alistair Bell)
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Bombshell twist in Diddy trial as kidnapping and arson among claims DROPPED from testimony just before closing arguments
Both side rested their cases on Wednesday setting the stage for closing arguments PROSECUTION PULLS BACK Bombshell twist in Diddy trial as kidnapping and arson among claims DROPPED from testimony just before closing arguments Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PROSECUTORS in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal case have filed a bombshell request to the judge a day before closing arguments were set to begin. In a stunning move by the government, federal prosecutors have removed instructions for jurors related to certain evidence and testimony tied to the racketeering charge Combs is facing. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 Sean "Diddy" Combs watches as his defense lawyer argues a Rule 29 motion after the government announced they had rested their case on Tuesday Credit: REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Prosecutors said they're no longer going to argue the allegations of attempted kidnapping, attempted arson, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking, according to a letter filed to Judge Arun Subramanian on Wednesday, More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Bombshell twist in Diddy trial as kidnapping and arson among claims DROPPED from testimony just before closing arguments
PROSECUTORS in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal case have filed a bombshell request to the judge a day before closing arguments were set to begin. In a stunning move by the government, federal prosecutors have removed instructions for jurors related to certain evidence and testimony tied to the racketeering charge Combs is facing. Advertisement 1 Sean "Diddy" Combs watches as his defense lawyer argues a Rule 29 motion after the government announced they had rested their case on Tuesday Credit: REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Prosecutors said they're no longer going to argue the allegations of attempted kidnapping, attempted arson, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking, according to a letter filed to Judge Arun Subramanian on Wednesday, More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
