Diddy trial day 32 recap: Combs declines to testify

Sean “Diddy” Combs could have made his fortune with lyrics, however advised a decide Tuesday that he’s reserving the proper to not share his phrases by not taking the stand in his sex-trafficking trial, which is anticipated 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 girls into intercourse.

Going through the potential for life in jail if convicted on all counts, Combs has remained largely silent because the trial started final month however confidently advised the decide overseeing the case that he won’t be testifying.

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

“How are you feeling right this moment?” U.S. District Decide Arun Subramian requested Combs, standing to answer.

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

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

Following Combs’ announcement, his attorneys offered a quick case, solely displaying the jury proof that, they are saying, casts doubt on the testimony of some witnesses. Combs’ attorneys mentioned the proof suggests the alleged victims within the case really consented to the typically days-long intercourse events often called “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 staff, wealth and affect to stress girls to take part after which blackmailed or threatened them into silence. In keeping 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 fees of intercourse trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to interact in prostitution.

The protection rested its case on Tuesday after asking the decide to concern a direct acquittal. Subramian didn’t rule on that movement, which is commonplace in legal circumstances.

Attorneys for either side are set to return to court docket Wednesday to work with the decide on the particular directions that can be issued to the jury earlier than deliberations start.

The jury is scheduled to return to court docket on Thursday to listen to closing statements. Deliberations may begin as early as Friday.

Decide reserves choice on Combs’ request to toss case

As quickly as prosecutors rested their case in opposition to Combs, protection attorneys requested the decide to search out Combs not responsible of all fees.

The transfer – often called 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 some other particular person to violate the (racketeering) statute,” protection lawyer Alexandra Shapiro mentioned. “They failed to indicate that some other particular person really conspired with him to conduct the affairs of this 20-year purported legal enterprise.”

Shapiro argued that any staff 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 goal 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 attorneys additionally went again to certainly 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 did not show he engaged in intercourse trafficking.

“Home violence shouldn’t be intercourse trafficking,” Shapiro mentioned.

Combs’ attorneys decline to name any witnesses throughout transient protection case

Combs’ protection attorneys rested their case with out calling any witnesses, as an alternative solely studying some objects 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 have been longtime romantic companions.

“Backside line, I like you. You might be vital 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. “Apart from making love, speaking to you is my favourite factor.”

In one other message, Ventura advised 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 regulation enforcement periods with witnesses, suggesting among the testimony differed from authentic statements.

Daniel Phillip, the second witness to testify throughout the trial, initially advised 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 regulation enforcement notes from a gathering with Phillip that appeared to point Combs mentioned one thing else: “In roughly 2013, Phillip noticed Ventura get bodily assaulted. Combs ultimately got here again out and mentioned ‘Yo man I will must take care of this. You’ll want to get the f—- out,'” Geragos learn.

Whereas Combs’ attorneys offered 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 solid doubt on the testimony of the alleged victims, highlighting constructive and loving messages exchanged with Combs, and arguing the interactions counsel the ladies have been keen contributors within the orgies.