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 expenses.
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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 in opposition to the hip-hop maven. In a routine transfer after prosecutors relaxation at felony trials, Combs’ attorneys made arguments to toss out the fees. They claimed the fees weren’t confirmed. Decide Arun Subramanian mentioned he’ll rule at a later date. Diddy was previously acquitted as soon as in his profession in 2001 of all expenses 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. As compared, prosecutors have known as 34 witnesses to attempt to show intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy expenses that resulted in Combs’ September arrest.
Nevertheless, the protection says prosecutors didn’t show these expenses or that Diddy’s two ex-girlfriends felt coerced into marathon intercourse occasions with male intercourse staff. As an alternative, protection attorneys say the “freak-offs” or “lodge nights” had been consensual sexual encounters in line with the swingers way of life.
Diddy Says THIS To The Trial Decide
For context, it’s customary apply at federal felony 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 attorneys 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 Dangerous 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 let you know thanks, you’re doing a wonderful job,” Combs mentioned. The choose responded, “Thanks, I admire it.”
Combs mentioned he “totally” mentioned the matter along with his attorneys earlier than deciding to not testify. “That’s my determination, your honor,” Combs mentioned, including: “That’s solely my determination.” Prodded by the choose, he clarified additional: “I imply, it’s my determination with my attorneys. … My determination to make. I’m making it.”
Extra Particulars About The Final 7 Weeks Of Trial
Because the trial started in early Could, authorities witnesses have included former staff of Combs’ firms. Nevertheless, many of the proof has come from the testimony of two former girlfriends: Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and an web persona who testified beneath the pseudonym “Jane.”
Ventura testified for 4 days through the trial’s first week. The 38-year-old mentioned she felt pressured to interact in a whole bunch of “freak offs” as a result of the encounters would allow her to be intimate with Combs after performing sexually with male intercourse staff. He allegedly watched them slather each other with child oil and generally filmed the encounters.
In the meantime, Jane testified for six days concerning the sexual performances she labeled “lodge nights.” She mentioned she was placing them into perspective after starting remedy three months in the past. She mentioned she felt coerced into partaking in them as not too long ago as final August, however did so as a result of she liked 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 attorneys 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 might have dedicated.
No Testimony, However He’s Been Defending Himself From His Seat
Combs has been lively in his protection. He’s written notes to his attorneys, 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 considered one of his attorneys. 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.
Previously week, prosecutors and protection attorneys 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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