The federal sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is winding to an in depth. Jurors have seen all of the proof, and a verdict may come quickly now that the disgraced music mogul has formally determined to not take the stand in his personal protection.
Combs has been on trial for over a month on the bombshell prices that he used violence, cash and blackmail to drive ladies to take part in drug-fueled intercourse reveals known as “freak-offs.” The rapper, who maintains his innocence, may face a possible life sentence if convicted on all counts.
Prosecutors rested on Tuesday (June 24) after a Homeland Safety agent completed testifying, the New York Times studies. The federal government has constructed its case with movies, textual content messages and dozens of witnesses – most crucially, singer Cassie Ventura and an nameless ladies referred to as “Jane,” each ex-girlfriends of Combs who testified that they have been coerced into collaborating within the freak-offs.
Combs’ attorneys didn’t name any witnesses of their very own and spent lower than half an hour studying textual content messages into the report earlier than resting the protection case as properly. Combs opted to not testify, a standard resolution made by nearly all of felony defendants as a result of dangers that include opening oneself as much as cross-examination.
As is typical in these conditions, Decide Arun Subramanian requested Combs himself to verify that he had personally chosen to not testify and understood the proper he was forfeiting.
“That’s solely my resolution,” Combs mentioned, including as an apart to the decide, “I needed to inform you, thanks, you’re doing a wonderful job.”
Although Combs’ attorneys didn’t name witnesses, they’ve made the case all through the trial that the rapper’s intercourse events have been totally consensual. The protection offered this angle via intense cross-examination of Ventura and Jane, specializing in textual content messages the place the 2 ladies appeared to convey enthusiasm for Combs’ freak-offs.
Protection lawyer Alexandra Shapiro reiterated this argument whereas making a movement for acquittal as a matter of regulation to Decide Subramanian on Tuesday. In accordance with CNN, Shapiro acknowledged that Combs was “regrettably violent” in the direction of Ventura however mentioned home violence just isn’t the identical as intercourse trafficking.
“An individual in Mr. Combs’ place clearly would’ve understood that, quite the opposite, she loved the sexual exercise and didn’t really feel coerced,” Shapiro mentioned.
The decide reserved his resolution on the acquittal movement. Such motions are not often granted, however helpful for protection attorneys who wish to construct a robust trial report for attraction.
Jurors get a break day now, because the attorneys are slated to spend Wednesday (June 25) hammering our authorized directions with Decide Subramanian. Closing arguments are slated to start Thursday (June 26) and final for at the very least a complete day.
The decide will then must learn his prolonged authorized directions to the jury, a course of that usually lasts a number of hours. This implies deliberations may begin both late within the day Friday or Monday morning – although how lengthy it’s going to take the jury to agree unanimously on a verdict is anybody’s guess.