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Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Trial: Prosecution Rests Case
The prosecution rested its case Tuesday in the sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. The music mogul’s defense team promptly moved for a judgment of acquittal, arguing the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to support the charges.
Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro contended the government hadn’t proven the alleged involvement of other employees in Combs’ businesses, stating, “There’s, at best, thin proof any of the other employees participated.” She further emphasized a lack of evidence demonstrating any employee’s awareness of alleged sex trafficking. Shapiro described employee duties as limited to cleaning hotel rooms, unaware of activities beyond the use of “baby oil, Astroglide, alcohol, and perhaps drugs.”
The jury has heard six weeks of testimony from former girlfriends, employees, and investigators. The prosecution aimed to portray Combs as leading a criminal enterprise through his companies, including Combs Global. Testimony alleged Combs directed assistants to arrange hotel rooms for what were referred to as “freak offs” or “hotel nights,” and that employees procured drugs like MDMA, cocaine, and ecstasy, allegedly used by Combs and his ex-girlfriends during forced sexual encounters with male escorts.
Two former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura (who dated Combs from 2007 to 2018) and another identified as “Jane,” testified about being introduced to these “freak offs” or “hotel nights” soon after their relationships with Combs began. Both women claimed they were forced to engage in sexual acts with male escorts while Combs watched.
Ventura stated she used drugs to dissociate during these encounters. “Jane” alleged feeling coerced into the “hotel nights” and testified that Combs continues to pay her legal and housing expenses.
The final prosecution witness, Homeland Security Special Agent Joseph Cerciello, presented approximately 20 minutes of footage from these encounters, shown only to the jury due to its explicit nature. Prior testimony came from Brendan Paul, alleged to have acted as Combs’ “drug mule.”
The defense, having previously indicated they might call witnesses, now plan to focus on inconsistencies in witness statements. Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday morning following a Wednesday conference on jury instructions. Combs is not expected to testify.