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.
Paul rejects ‘drug mule’ job description
When asked by the defense if he was a “drug mule,” Paul rejected that, saying, “absolutely not.”
Paul said he did handle small amounts of drugs, but that he had other duties
Defense begins cross-examination
Defense Attorney Brian Steel is now performing the cross-examination of Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Combs.
Paul describes preparing for Combs’ ‘Wild King’ nights
Prosecutors are asking Paul about purchasing and providing drugs for Combs and others during what he calls “Wild King nights.” These were times when Combs and his romantic partners would go to hotels to do drugs and have sex.
Paul testified that he would set up for these nights by purchasing the necessary tools or drugs.
Paul says Combs moved “Wild King” nights from hotels to residences after Cassie Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against the music mogul.
Paul testifies that he purchased drugs for Combs
Paul testified that he would purchase a variety of drugs for Combs, including marijuana, pink cocaine, ecstasy, and ketamine from drug dealers.
Paul said he would buy thousands of dollars worth of drugs, and occasionally tried them to prove his “loyalty.”
Working for Combs was demanding, Paul describes
Paul testified that he used drugs to stay awake while working for Combs, a job that he says required long hours and extreme dedication.
From the stand, Paul described the job, saying he worked anywhere from 80 to 100 hours per week and frequently flew with Combs.
“I was young, so I was able to handle it,” Paul said from the stand. He said he used Adderall and sometimes cocaine.
Paul, who was hired in 2022 to help Combs with workouts, said he was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and give Combs’ security a copy of his I.D.
“He told me to get in, to get out, if you have a girlfriend break up with her, and you’re never going to see your family,” Paul testified.
Paul testifies he was arrested for cocaine possession
On the stand, Paul says he stopped working for Combs in March 2024 after he was arrested for possession of cocaine at the Miami airport.
He said he was “sweeping” Combs’ room before leaving for the airport and grabbed the cocaine, but forgot to remove it from his bag before he left for his trip.
Brendan Paul takes the stand
Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Combs, has taken the stand to testify in the sex-trafficking trial.
Paul, who has been mentioned in at least three civil sexual assault lawsuits filed against Combs, has been described as a “drug mule” for the music mogul.
Paul was arrested on drug charges last March but those charges were later dropped.
Judge Subramanian is on the bench
Judge Arun Subramanian is on the bench as court prepares to begin for the day.
Catch up from court on Tuesday
Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking case were again forced to watch more videos of the mogul’s drug-fueled “freak-off” sex sessions.
The rapper’s defense team played seven clips — spanning between 22 seconds and four minutes — for the panel. It is the second time in two days they have been asked to watch them, six weeks into the eight-week-long trial.
Kelly Rissman reports:
Jurors in Diddy trial forced to watch more clips of ‘freak offs’
Trial to hear from alleged drug mule Brendan Paul on Friday
Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial will today finally hear from Brendan Paul, a former assistant and alleged “drug mule” to the rapper, after a two-day pause in proceedings.
A juror was taken ill after experiencing vertigo symptoms on the way to court on Wednesday and then the trial was suspended again on Thursday for the Juneteenth holiday.
Paul’s appearance was touted earlier this week but has been repeatedly delayed by jury issues and the prolonged testimony of Special Agent DeLeassa Penland.
The prosecution had said it expected to conclude its case today but that could now drag on into next week.
