Earlier than his protection briefly introduced its case, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs spoke overtly within the courthouse for the primary time in weeks. In week seven, Diddy lastly answered the burning query that trial watchers have been asking. Will he testify? That reply is not any. And amid giving affirmation, Combs additionally threw Decide Arun Subramanian a lil’ praise. That got here after the choose reserved his determination on a movement for acquittal on all costs.
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Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible. He has remained incarcerated with out bail in a federal lockup in Brooklyn after a number of judges blocked his bail appeals final yr.
Recap Of Each Sides Resting Their Case
At present, the prosecution rested after greater than six weeks of proof presentation towards the hip-hop maven. In a routine transfer after prosecutors relaxation at prison trials, Combs’ legal professionals made arguments to toss out the costs. They claimed the costs weren’t confirmed. Decide Arun Subramanian stated he’ll rule at a later date. Diddy was previously acquitted as soon as in his profession in 2001 of all costs associated to a nightclub taking pictures, whereas Shyne served 9 years for it.
Later within the afternoon, the protection rested with out calling any witnesses. Compared, prosecutors have known as 34 witnesses to attempt to show intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy costs that resulted in Combs’ September arrest.
Nevertheless, the protection says prosecutors didn’t show these costs or that Diddy’s two ex-girlfriends felt coerced into marathon intercourse occasions with male intercourse employees. As a substitute, protection legal professionals say the “freak-offs” or “lodge nights” had been consensual sexual encounters in keeping with the swingers life-style.
Diddy Says THIS To The Trial Decide
For context, it’s customary observe at federal prison trials for the choose to instantly query the defendant about whether or not to testify. This ensures that the defendant is aware of it’s his determination, no matter what his legal professionals have advised him. When Subramanian questioned Combs after the prosecutors rested, the choose requested him how he was doing.
“I’m doing nice, your honor,” the Unhealthy Boy Leisure founder answered, earlier than volunteering a praise to the choose earlier than one other query may very well be posed. “I need to inform you thanks, you’re doing a wonderful job,” Combs stated. The choose responded, “Thanks, I recognize it.”
Combs stated he “totally” mentioned the matter together with his legal professionals earlier than deciding to not testify. “That’s my determination, your honor,” Combs stated, including: “That’s solely my determination.” Prodded by the choose, he clarified additional: “I imply, it’s my determination with my legal professionals. … My determination to make. I’m making it.”
Extra Particulars About The Final 7 Weeks Of Trial
For the reason that trial started in early Could, authorities witnesses have included former staff of Combs’ corporations. Nevertheless, a lot of the proof has come from the testimony of two former girlfriends: Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and an web character who testified beneath the pseudonym “Jane.”
Ventura testified for 4 days through the trial’s first week. The 38-year-old stated she felt pressured to interact in lots of of “freak offs” as a result of the encounters would allow her to be intimate with Combs after performing sexually with male intercourse employees. He allegedly watched them slather each other with child oil and generally filmed the encounters.
In the meantime, Jane testified for six days in regards to the sexual performances she labeled “lodge nights.” She stated she was placing them into perspective after starting remedy three months in the past. She stated she felt coerced into partaking in them as just lately as final August, however did so as a result of she cherished and nonetheless loves Combs. Ventura was in a relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, whereas Jane was continuously with him from 2021 till his arrest. The arrest canceled her plan to satisfy him on the New York lodge the place feds took him into custody.
Protection legal professionals questioned the witnesses all through the trial to make their case for exoneration. A number of of them testified reluctantly or solely after they had been granted immunity from any crimes they could have dedicated.
No Testimony, However He’s Been Defending Himself From His Seat
Combs has been energetic in his protection. He’s written notes to his legal professionals, generally serving to them determine when to cease questioning a witness. As soon as, the choose known as him for nodding enthusiastically towards jurors throughout a profitable stretch of cross-examination by one in all his legal professionals. Prosecutors complained that his gestures had been a type of testifying with out being topic to cross-examination. The choose warned he might exclude Diddy from his trial if it occurred once more.
Prior to now week, prosecutors and protection legal professionals have proven jurors over 40 minutes of recordings Combs manufactured from the “freak offs” or “lodge nights.” A number of jurors sometimes appeared squeamish as they considered and listened to audio of the encounters, however most didn’t appear to react. Closing arguments are set to start on Thursday.
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Related Press Employees Michael R. Sisak and Larry Neumeister contributed to this report by way of AP Newsroom.
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