Diddy trial updates: Jury prepares for deliberations after former assistant denies being ‘drug mule’ in testimony
Prosecution and defense estimate they will rest mid next week
Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs, testified that he helped Combs prepare for his drug-fueled sex marathons but denied being a so-called “drug mule.”
Paul, who was initially hired to assist Combs with his workouts, testified that he sometimes bought drugs for Combs but denied that description, saying it was a small part of his job.
The former assistant said working for Combs required long hours and intense dedication.
On Friday, jurors also heard from prosecutors’ final witness, a special agent in Homeland Security investigations, and viewed text messages between Combs and his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Lawyers for the government and Combs are expected to rest mid-next week. Jurors could begin deliberations as soon as Wednesday.
Combs is facing charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. Federal authorities have accused him of threatening, abusing, and coercing victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024.
What you missed from Friday's proceedings
On Friday, jurors heard from Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Combs, and Joseph Cerciello, a special agent in Homeland Security investigations.
Paul testified that working for Combs required long hours and extreme dedication. He said one of the ways he proved loyalty was by, occasionally, purchasing drugs for Combs to use during his sex marathons. Paul denied being a “drug mule” and said that purchasing Combs’ drugs was a small part of his job.
Special Agent Cerciello reviewed a chart created by prosecutors that showed messages, travel documents, hotel bills and more.
Jurors are expected to hear more from Cerciello on Monday.
Prosecutors said they will rest once Cerciello’s testimony is over. Defense attorneys will then present their side of the case.
Jurors could begin deliberations as soon as next Wednesday.
Jurors dismissed
Judge Subramanian has dismissed jurors for the day – Friday was expected to be a shorter day in court.
Prosecutors aren’t quite done with Joseph Cerciello, the special agent with Homeland Security Investigations. They expect to continue testimony on Monday with time for cross-examination.
Attorney for Brendan Paul says he 'was never a drug mule'
Brian Bieber, an attorney representing Brendan Paul, issued a statement after Paul left the stand, emphasizing that his client is not and never was a “drug mule.”
“He was subpoenaed to come to court and tell the truth, which he did — word for word,” Bieber said. “Now that Brendan has finally had the opportunity to tell the full story about his employment, we are hopeful that the last 15 months of defamatory statements about him will cease.”
Hotel charged Combs with $6,000 damage fee
While reviewing charts and documents, Cerciello testified that Combs incurred a $6,000 hotel damage fee after using a room for a freak off in 2021.
Another hotel record from 2023, showed a $3,000 fee was for “damaged furniture” and “bodily fluids” that stained the floors.
Special agent corroborating charts
Special Agent Cerciello is now corroborating documents acquired during the government’s investigation, including charts that show travel times and locations.
Cerciello is confirming that the chart containing information about Jane and Combs’ travels lines up with the piece of evidence.
Next witness: Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations
Special Agent Joseph Cerciello of Homeland Security Investigations is the government’s next, and potentially final, witness.
Jury returns from break, prosecutors show text messages
A brief morning break, the jury is back in the courtroom and seeing text messages between Cassie Ventura and Combs that prosecutors are submitting into evidence.
In a thread of the message exchanged in 2017, Ventura tells Combs she’s “scared” of his “rage” and says she does not deserve to be physically abused.
Combs texted Ventura that she was “unappreciative” of an experience and said other women would have been grateful.
From inside the courthouse: Paul's testimony
Brendan Paul wore a blue suit. He talked quickly and mumbled.
When he was asked what he thought of Combs, he said, “it’s complicated.”
Combs gave Steel, his defense attorney, a thumbs up after his cross-examination. We heard a lot of the same info regarding setting up and cleaning up hotel rooms.
The government’s evidence indicates KK, the former chief of staff, was extremely involved. In one text, Paul asked for reimbursement for drug purchases, and he typed “kk is aware and wanted me to make this thread.”
'Complicated' Paul says of his feelings toward Combs
During a brief re-direct with prosecutors, Paul said his feelings toward Combs are “complicated.”
That was after defense attorneys had Paul testify that his experience working for the music mogul was mostly good.
Paul is now off the stand.
Combs' former assistant says working for Combs was a 'good experience' for the most part
Paul, a former assistant to Combs, testified that working for the music mogul was mostly a good experience.
Steel questioned Paul’s time with Combs, asking if he was “indebted” to Combs or if it was a good experience for the most part.
Paul agreed.