Diddy trial day 32 recap: Combs declines to testify

Sean “Diddy” Combs could have made his fortune with lyrics, however informed a decide Tuesday that he’s reserving the correct to not share his phrases by not taking the stand in his sex-trafficking trial, which is predicted to conclude this week.

Combs’ choice happened an hour after prosecutors rested their prolonged case in opposition to Combs, after calling 34 witnesses over 28 days. They spent seven weeks attempting to persuade a federal jury that the rap mogul used his enterprise empire to coerce ladies into intercourse.

Dealing with the potential for life in jail if convicted on all counts, Combs has remained largely silent for the reason that trial started final month however confidently informed the decide overseeing the case that he is not going to be testifying.

“That’s my choice with my legal professionals,” stated Combs, as his voice boomed by means of the hushed courtroom.

“How are you feeling in the present day?” U.S. District Choose Arun Subramian requested Combs, standing to answer.

“I am doing nice, how are you, your honor? I need to let you know thanks. You are doing a superb job,” Combs stated.

The second marked a uncommon departure from the formality of the trial and the testimony, which has been marked by deeply emotional and at occasions disturbing testimony.

Following Combs’ announcement, his legal professionals introduced a short case, solely exhibiting the jury proof that, they are saying, casts doubt on the testimony of some witnesses. Combs’ attorneys stated the proof suggests the alleged victims within the case truly consented to the generally days-long intercourse events referred to as “freak offs” or “lodge nights.”

These orgies are on the core of the case in opposition to Combs, as prosecutors have alleged the rapper used his workers, wealth and affect to strain ladies to take part after which blackmailed or threatened them into silence. In accordance with the testimony, Combs would choreograph the episodes after which watch and masturbate whereas his girlfriends would have intercourse with male prostitutes.

Combs has pleaded not responsible to the costs of intercourse trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.

The protection rested its case on Tuesday after asking the decide to challenge a right away acquittal. Subramian didn’t rule on that movement, which is commonplace in felony instances.

Attorneys for each side are set to return to courtroom Wednesday to work with the decide on the precise directions that will likely be issued to the jury earlier than deliberations start.

The jury is scheduled to return to courtroom on Thursday to listen to closing statements. Deliberations might begin as early as Friday.

Choose reserves choice on Combs’ request to toss case

As quickly as prosecutors rested their case in opposition to Combs, protection legal professionals requested the decide to seek out Combs not responsible of all expenses.

The transfer – referred to as a movement for a “directed verdict” – is an argument that prosecutors didn’t current a case that proves guilt past an inexpensive doubt. Protection attorneys routinely make the movement after the federal government rests, and judges hardly ever grant the request.

“The proof doesn’t set up that Mr. Combs conspired with another individual to violate the (racketeering) statute,” protection lawyer Alexandra Shapiro stated. “They failed to indicate that another particular person truly conspired with him to conduct the affairs of this 20-year purported felony enterprise.”

Shapiro argued that any workers who may need helped Combs arrange lodge rooms for “freak offs” did the duties as “private errands” for Combs and didn’t know concerning the sexual exercise that befell within the rooms.

Shapiro additionally took purpose at allegations made by federal prosecutors, who’ve argued Combs firebombed the Porsche owned by rapper Child Cudi or dedicated bribery to silence a safety guard who witnessed the aftermath of a 2016 assault.

Protection legal professionals additionally went again to considered one of their key themes from all through the trial —whereas Combs could have engaged in home violence and led an unconventional intercourse life, he did not commit a criminal offense, and that prosecutors didn’t show he engaged in intercourse trafficking.

“Home violence just isn’t intercourse trafficking,” Shapiro stated.

Combs’ legal professionals decline to name any witnesses throughout temporary protection case

Combs’ protection legal professionals rested their case with out calling any witnesses, as a substitute solely studying some gadgets into the document.

Protection lawyer Anna Estevao learn exchanges of textual content messages from the singer Cassie Ventura, who expressed her love for Combs even after years of what federal prosecutors argued was coerced intercourse with male escorts. Ventura and Combs had been longtime romantic companions.

“Backside line, I like you. You might be necessary to me, and I do know I’ll by no means have a love like this on this lifetime,” Ventura wrote in a 2012 message. “In addition to making love, speaking to you is my favourite factor.”

In one other message, Ventura informed Combs, “I miss you.”

Combs responded, “So what you going to do.” Ventura replied, “Be your lil freak.”

Protection lawyer Teny Geragos additionally learn notes from legislation enforcement classes with witnesses, suggesting among the testimony differed from authentic statements.

Daniel Phillip, the second witness to testify in the course of the trial, initially informed jurors that he noticed Combs throw a bottle towards Ventura and “grabbed her by her hair and dragged her by her hair into the bed room. Phillip testified Combs emerged from the bed room some time later to ask Phillip “are you guys able to proceed?”

Geragos learn legislation enforcement notes from a gathering with Phillip that appeared to point Combs stated one thing else: “In roughly 2013, Phillip noticed Ventura get bodily assaulted. Combs finally got here again out and stated ‘Yo man I’ll must take care of this. It is advisable to get the f—- out,'” Geragos learn.

Whereas Combs’ attorneys introduced a protection case with none witnesses, they spent days completely questioning the prosecution’s witnesses and utilizing cross-examination to current the majority of their arguments to the jury. They tried to forged doubt on the testimony of the alleged victims, highlighting optimistic and loving messages exchanged with Combs, and arguing the interactions recommend the ladies had been keen contributors within the orgies.