Diddy trial recap: Sean Combs tells judge he will not testify in sex trafficking trial
Jurors heard from 34 witnesses over the seven weeks of testimony, including Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura
The sex-trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs is in its final stretch after the prosecution and defense finished laying out their arguments to jurors in New York on Tuesday.
The panel of jurors heard from more than 30 witnesses, watched troves of footage, and viewed hundreds of pages of documents over seven weeks in a Manhattan courthouse as both sides presented the panel of jurors their case.
Prosecutors argue that Combs sex-trafficked women by coercing them into fulfilling his sexual desires, transported male escorts for prostitution purposes, and conspired with a “criminal enterprise” to commit crimes.
Combs and his defense team dispute those allegations. Lawyers say the music mogul had an unusual sex life, but that all of his actions were consensual.
The music mogul stood up before Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday to confirm he would not testify – a common practice for defendants in criminal trials.
Closing arguments are expected to begin on Thursday and move into Friday.
Once closing arguments are finished, jurors will be charged and begin deliberations.
Special Agent is back on the stand
Special Agent Joseph Cerciello with Homeland Security investigations is back on the stand.
Cerciello is reviewing flight records and messages between Combs and others.
Combs' staff put Plan B in his hotel room
In a text message, reviewed by Cerciello, Combs’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorram (also known as “KK”), made sure the music mogul had Plan B in his hotel room.
KK had planned for Combs to stay at the Waldorf Astoria in Las Vegas and in a text message to Combs, notified him that Plan B was in the nightstand.
Jurors watch more than 10 minutes of 'freak off' footage
Jurors have been shown at least 13 different clips of sexually explicit videos on Monday while a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations testifies.
The videos were filmed in November and December 2021, and February, August, and October 2022.
Federal agents discovered at least 50 sexually explicit videos in Combs’ possession that were created from December 17 to December 2021, Cerciello testified.
When jurors see explicit videos they view them with private screens and headphones so the public and members of the media cannot see them.
Special agent testifies that Combs paid for sex workers' travel
Special Agent Cerciello is testifying about flight, phone, and financial records that he says show Combs paid for a sex worker to travel across the country for “freak offs.”
One flight and hotel record shows the sex worker stayed at Trump International Hotel in New York in September 2023 after taking a flight from Atlanta to Newark. Those transactions were paid for by Combs.
Court on a 15-minute break
The judge has given jurors a 15-minute break this morning before prosecutors continue with Cerciello’s testimony.
Inside the courtroom: Combs listens to 'freak off' footage
Jurors watched 14 clips of seven sex encounters with headphones on.
During the first clip, Combs was shifting in his chair and looking around as if he were uncomfortable. He can only listen to the audio of the clips because the explicit videos aren’t shown on attorney screens.
‘I am a long timer:’ Combs asked male escort agency to stop raising rates
Combs used one particular male escort agency so often that he asked an agent to stop raising their rates on him, according to text message seen in court.
In a September 2023 text, Combs asked a representative from Cowboys 4 Angels, a male escort agency, to “Stop raising my rate I am a long timer.”
Combs’ ex, Cassie Ventura, previously testified that the two often used the agency when looking for a third person to conduct “freak offs” with.
Ultimately, the agency representative told Combs that it was individuals who raised their rates, not the company.
Jane texted that she did not want to be used in a ‘freak off’
Jurors saw text messages where “Jane,” the pseudonym for Combs’ ex-girlfriend, said she did not want to participate in a “freak off” because it made her feel used.
In September 2023, Combs inquired if “Jane” would meet him in New York City to participate in a hotel night, but she declined, saying it was “clear” he only wanted her “for a hotel binge.”
“Jane” said she did not want to be “used” and “locked in a room” to fulfill Combs’ fantasies.
Ultimately, she did meet Combs in New York.
Texts show Combs refused to pay for male escort due to poor performance
In more text messages between Combs and a representative from Cowboys 4 Angels, a male escort agency, Combs refused to pay $600 because the escort “couldn’t perform.”
Cassie Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, previously testified that Combs would refuse to pay escorts if they could not perform up to his standard.
Combs' staff coordinated hotels, travel, IV fluids and more
Prosecutors are going through troves of text messages and voicemail between Combs, “Jane,” male escorts, and his staff about coordinating travel, lodging, and more for “freak offs.”
In one exchange, Combs and his staff arranged for I.V. fluids to be administered to him and others who participated in the drug-fueled sex marathons.
Jurors are hearing Combs’s voice through voicemails that he sent to staff with requests.