This story was first published on Monday, May 12, providing an in-depth look at the opening arguments in Sean Combs’ sex trafficking trial. We are committed to delivering real-time updates as the case unfolds, with daily coverage of courtroom developments, witness testimonies, and breaking news. This story contains graphic descriptions of abuse, sexual violence, and drug use that may be distressing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised. Read the beginning of our coverage here.
Update as of July 2
“Dear Heavenly Father, please watch over my family and watch over the jurors, in Jesus’ name—Amen.”
Sean Combs led his entire family in prayer while standing over them this morning as three full rows of Combs kin, and adjacent relatives bowed their heads and held hands.
No sooner then they lifted their heads, the mogul left the room. Just a short period later, 26A would be congested with press and members of the public who stayed up and camped outside, getting to 500 Pearl Street at 2 a.m.
Everyone jumped to their feet at the abrupt order of the marshall. “At 9:52 a.m. we have reached a verdict on all counts,” Judge Arun Subramanian said, reading a note from the jury.
As the deciders chosen almost eight weeks ago entered the courtroom, the same silence that captivated the room yesterday ushered itself back in. Yesterday, the jury was unsure of count 1 which is the racketeering charge. Everything else, had its verdict.
Today would be the day.
Juror Number 5, a 31-year-old investment analyst, was the foreperson.
He announced the charges and verdict.
On count 1, which is racketeering, Combs was found not guilty.
On Count 2, sex trafficking of Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura from 2009 to 2018, Combs was found not guilty.
On Count 3, transportation to engage in prostitution of Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura and/or others from 2009 to 2018, Combs was found guilty.
On Count 4, Sex trafficking of Jane by force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion from 2021 to 2024, Combs was found not guilty.
On Count 5, transportation to engage in prostitution of Jane and/or others from 2021 to 2024, Combs was found guilty.
Here’s what we know about the other jurors:
Juror 2 is a Manhattan based massage therapist. He’s 69. Juror 25 is a 51-year-old scientist also based in Manhattan. Juror 28 is a Bronx-based deli clerk. Juror 55 is 42 and works at a nursing home. She’s not a fan of the news—per her own admission. Juror 75 is 68 and retired but previously worked in finance. Juror 116 is a retired lineman living in Westchester. Juror 160 is a 43-year-old physician’s assistant. Juror 184 is 39. He lives in the Bronx and works as a security guard. He’s also is a social worker. Juror 201 is 67 and works as an analyst. Juror 217 is 74 and works as a treatment coordinator. Finally, Juror 230 is 57 and works as a manufacturing architect.
As each verdict was being read off, the mogul’s mother, Janice Combs could be heard in the background cheering “alright!” as the family’s sigh of relief swept through the courtroom like a tsunami.
She later told Essence in the courthouse’s cafeteria, “I feel great,” when asked about the verdicts.
Combs turned to his family and said motioning with praying hands, “I’m coming home baby.”
Immediately after Judge Subramanian thanked the jury, lead defense attorney Marcus Agnifilo asked that his client be released on bail.
“Are you asking Mr. Combs leave this courtroom and walk outside?” the judge asked.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan has never lost a RICO and sex trafficking case—until today.
Lead prosecutor Maurene Comey immediately protested.
When Agnifilo called Combs exceptional, Comey rebutted by saying, “what’s exceptional about Combs is his wealth, his violence and his brazenness.”
The judge asked the defense and prosecution to submit letters pleading their case either way. But in the midst of those letters being written, two unexpected letters emerged — one from Cassie, another from a witness for the prosecution, stylist Deonte Nash.
Here’s a little of what Nash had to say:
“Mr. Combs has a long, well-documented history of violent, coercive, and retaliatory behavior. Over the years, he has repeatedly escaped meaningful accountability, and each time this has only reinforced his sense of impunity.”
Cassie’s letter, which came from her attorney, reads:
“We write as counsel for Casandra Ventura (“Ms. Ventura” to respectfully request that the Court deny Mr. Combs to be released pending his sentencing on his two convictions under 18 U.S.C. §2421. Pursuant to the Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1343(a)(2), detention is mandatory post-conviction on these charges, and Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community.”
At 5:05 p.m. the courtroom was once again full on both sides. The press and family congested 26A. The jury who was for most of the trial, at the center of everyone’s intentions, was dismissed. Their job was done.
“Bail is denied,” Justice Subramanian said.
Domestic violence was a central reason for his decision.
“He should have known he needed to stay clean,” Judge Subramanian said.
The defense needed, per the judge, to provide clear and convincing evidence of his ability not to be a threat to others — especially those who were listed as victims in the trial. They failed to do so, according to Judge Subramanian.
As it stands, Combs’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 3, but Tuesday, the defense and prosecution will meet to potentially expedite the hearing.
If agreed, Combs could face a minimum of 21 months. The mogul has already served 10 months in custody.
“It’s a great victory for Sean Combs, it’s a great victory for the jury system,” Marcus Agnifilo said in a press conference after hours after adjournment.
Agnifilo says the bail decision is still pending and “we are not nearly done fighting,” he said. “But today was a major step in the right direction.”
Watch the full press conference here.
Update as of July 1
Sean Combs, 55, had a different energy on day two of deliberation in his trial where he’s facing several charges. One, even more than one of the charges, could carry a maximum life sentence. Unlike what had been happening for the past seven weeks, the jury wasn’t in the courtroom.
The mogul’s legal team—a mixed bag of diversity, formed a circle around him as he sat where he usually took up residence throughout the duration of his trial when the prosecution rehashed his alleged indiscretions from over the past 20 years.
Yesterday could have been the day. Today could have been the day—neither of those decisions would be left up to Judge Arun Subramanian who also wasn’t on the bench during certain times.
By 4:30 p.m., there was no sign of judge or jury—the prosecution—a “six pack of white women,” as famed attorney Mark Geragos—father of Teny Geragos who is on Combs’ defense team put it, was also noticeably absent during certain times.
The gallery which was full one minute, then empty other times, was noticeably on both instances.
When the judge came in, he announced that he received a letter from the jury timestamped at 4:05 p.m. saying that they’d decided on a verdict for four out of the five charges. Combs was visibly shaken.
Here’s a breakdown of those charges per the charge sheet the jury was given yesterday:
- Count 2: Sex trafficking of Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura from 2009 to 2018
- Count 3: Transportation to engage in prostitution of Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura and/or others from 2009 to 2018
- Count 4: Sex trafficking of Jane by force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion from 2021 to 2024
- Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution of Jane and/or others from 2021 to 2024
As for the charge the jury is undecided on, Count 1—Racketeering.
Racketeering is the most complex of the charges because of the crimes attached to the count. Those crimes include kidnapping, arson, bribery, witness tampering, forced labor, sex-trafficking, and drug distribution.
Count 1 carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Counts two and four carry a maximum of life in prison. Counts three and five carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Combs’ family was present today, as they’ve been throughout the trial, but largely during the closing arguments and past two days of deliberations.
Today, right before one of the times he left the courtroom, Sean Combs said, “hey Ma, I like your shirt.”
Janice was wearing a cream and green zebra printed two-piece shirt and pants look with a black circular Gucci crossbody bang.
The Combs matriarch’s face brightened for a moment as she acknowledged the compliment from her son, who helped usher in 90s streetwear into the mainstream through his iconic music videos and award show appearances.
But before that happened there was conflict as part of a continuation from the first day of deliberation with the jury.
Yesterday when Judge Arun Subramanian released the jury to their chambers after reading a 60+ page document of rules and regulations to which they’ll have to vote, they sent a letter to the court questioning the charge having to do with an element of the intent to distribute drugs.
During day one of deliberations, they spent five hours in their chambers discussing the case.
“I received your note. I remind every juror of their duty to deliberate and their obligation to follow my instruction on the law. With that instruction in mind, please continue deliberating,” Judge Subramanian said to the jury yesterday.
This morning, the Justice once taking the bench, addressed the jury’s letter almost immediately.
“In response to the jury’s question, the Court refers the jury to page 37, lines one through three of its jury charge,” he said.
Yesterday, Judge Subramanian read the jury charge containing an explanation of how the court intends for the jury to vote.
“The word ‘distribution’ means actual, constructive, or attempted transfer. To distribute simply means to deliver, to pass over, or to hand over something to another person, or to cause it to be delivered, passed on, or handed over to another. Distribution does not require a sale,” per the document.
The jury was released today having decided on all but one of the charges. If found guilty, Combs could face multiple life sentences. Deliberation continues Wednesday.
Update as of June 27
The sun didn’t make an appearance once on Friday, but despite the gloomy weather, Sean Combs was in good spirits as he readied himself for what was an incredibly long day, for not just him — but the jury, the gallery, and the judge.
As Marc Agnifilo began his opening, he brought attention to the rows directly behind Combs.
“His family is here because he takes care of them, that’s who he is.”
Combs’ family was present at the trial, including his daughters who’d been previously absent from a majority of the trial.
The defense’s lead attorney said the trial is based on five issues: love, jealousy, infidelity, money, and domestic violence.
Of the domestic violence, Agnifilo said, “we own it,” adding “if he was being charged with it, he would have pleaded guilty, but he didn’t do the things he’s being charged with.”
To Agnifilo, the case is about money.
“Cassie Ventura sued Sean Combs for $30 million because Sean Combs had $30 million,” he said
If there was a winner, Agnifilo declared, it would be Cassie. “She’s not a victim.”
Agnifilo moved throughout the courtroom using humor and sarcasm to make light of some of the charges Combs is facing. Jurors sat attentively at times, laughing at the jokes the attorney told to disarm them.
On Cassie’s relationship with rapper Kid Cudi, Agnifilo said the singer wasn’t fearful of Combs as she testified and was instead, “keepin’ it gangsta” he emphasized to several chuckles from the jury and gallery.
The attorney reminded the jury of defense lawyer Brian Steele’s cross-examination of Kid Cudi who said, “Cassie played me.”
In reference to the singer, he said, “she’s nobody’s fool.”
CAPRICORN CLARK
Agnifilo said Comb’s ex-assistant wasn’t kidnapped.
The attorney used the analogy of jury duty and getting to go home after serving each day and compared it to Clark’s testimony of being taken to an abandoned building to take a lie detector test for five days. Per her testimony, she was taken home each day.
Had she been kidnapped, per Agnifilo, she “wouldn’t have been allowed to go home.”
Of her other kidnapping in 2011, involving Cassie and Kid Cudi, the attorney says Clark was lying about Combs having a gun. He lists 5 main reasons:
1. “Why would he have a gun? Capricorn loves this man” Agnifilo said.
2. Cassie previously testified (as did Kid Cudi) she’d given Combs Cudi’s address.
3. Combs had too much to lose.
4. Clark would have quit.
5. Cudi and Cassie never testified to Clark saying Combs had a gun.
Previously Clark testified that she called actress Lauren London while being held by Combs. During the call she said, “I came up here with Puff, I want to leave, but I’m scared of the mountain lions.”
Agnifilo said, “I’m not saying mountain lions aren’t scary, but if you were being held at gunpoint, you wouldn’t be talking about mountain lions,” adding “it didn’t happen.”
Yesterday, the prosecution said that Cassie had been kidnapped and held at the London Hotel. Today, Agnifilo said Cassie preferred to be at Combs’ residence.
“It’s not kidnapping if you want to be at your kidnapper’s house,” Agnifilo said.
WITNESS TAMPERING
There was more to the text exchange between ex-assistant Mia, who operated under a pseudonym, and Combs’ security guard D-Roc. Yesterday, the prosecution showed attempts he made to contact her, but in their text thread, Mia also said, “I’m out of money,” to which D-Roc said, “If you need anything, I can help,” adding, “I’m not rich but I’m also not broke.”
FORCED LABOR—MIA
“If ever there was an act of love, it’s this,” Agnifilo said, holding a scrapbook Mia constructed for Combs containing press clippings which the ex-assistant sourced dating all the way back to 1991 when he was an intern at Uptown Records. This was a personal 45th birthday gift for the mogul.
“She loves him” Agnifilo declared loudly because the court reporter repeatedly said she couldn’t hear him. Again, the jury chuckled. They were noticeably attentive, during his closing.
Mia posted a group photo of her social media page with Kristina Khorram, D-Roc, and Faheem Muhammad who was in court today, sitting directly behind the Combs family. “This is your enterprise,” Agnifilo said sarcastically.
But when the ex-assistant found out she would be getting fired, there was no humor. In fact, she was quite serious in her text to KK—the nickname for Khorram.
“I’m going to kill myself,” Agnifilo read aloud of what she texted to Combs’ chief of staff. “She didn’t want to leave,” the attorney said.
Mia, who also worked for Madonna, was one of several assistants who had to do personal tasks for the mogul. Agnifilo talked about that today in his close referencing the intent to distribute drugs, for which the prosecution says Combs is guilty.
“There is no evidence of that,” adding, “this is personal use of drugs.” The attorney admits Combs has a drug addiction.
SEX TRAFFICKING—CASSIE
Agnifilo, who had previously discredited Clark was again referencing her in a different testimony where she suggested that Cassie break up with Combs, and the singer replied, “Jay-Z is unavailable.”
Agnifilo suggested Cassie and Combs were nothing more than swingers and because the mogul was not profiting financially, he could not have been sex-trafficking her.
“This is his personal life,” he said of Combs. “This was her lifestyle choice also,” he said of Cassie.
When Agnifilo played the InterContinental Hotel video that everyone now knows by heart, he talked about body language highlighting Cassie and Israel Florez. Five days after the incident, Cassie and Combs exchanged texts where the singer alluded to the possibility that the mogul could have been under the influence of “bad drugs.”
“There seems to be two possibilities,” Agnifilo said, “1, the use of bad drugs, and 2, that he drank too much.” Agnifilo said Combs should not have been in a towel half naked for that long, and suggests bad drugs and drinking too much could have been to blame.
When Cassie said she was raped by Combs, and then had consensual sex shortly after, Agnifilo said “if there was really a rape, she would not have gone back and had consensual sex with him.” A text where she thanked him for the night, ending it with “I love you,” was referenced.
Cassie previously testified to having consensual sex with the mogul after testifying to being raped by him because she “still saw the good in him.”
When Clark took the stand, she called Cassie a studio singer referring to the lack in her vocal ability. To that, Agnifilo said, “she rose and fell on her own,” adding, “After she left Bad Boy, she didn’t do anything else.”
The prosecution said Cassie’s career was levered against her by Combs. However, videos from freak-offs and hotel nights were also leveraged, per the prosecution. Agnifilo addressed that too.
“That was just talk,” he said. When Jane and Cassie testified to Combs saying he’d release videos of them to the public, he said, “it’s like saying I’m going to kill you. There was no way he was going to release those tapes.”
He referred to the tapes as homemade porn.
Jane on the other hand, unlike Cassie, “wanted things she could post,” with ambitions having to do with, “What am I getting out of it that the world can see,” he said.
And though Jane’s identity has been kept secret by the court, Agnifilo said, “And you guys know who her baby’s father is.”
Jane’s rent costs more than she’s making from the $7,500 a month in child support—$10,000.
“She has the world’s worst lawyer. She deserves more,” Agnifilo joked.
When Jane received money in the past, it often came through KK—who is listed as a co-conspirator in the criminal enterprise part of the racketeering conspiracy charge. Of that Agnifilo said, “they don’t have a single witness who said, “yes there is an enterprise.””
Agnifilio said, “everyone should have a KK.”
Earlier in the case, Agnifilo and the prosecution argued over a witness who oversaw the seizure of Combs’ Miami home. Yesterday when the prosecution referenced the guns found during that raid, Agnifilio referenced it again.
“You have a right to not trust the government,” strategically adding, “At what point do you stop trusting the government?”
He closed with a simple plea, “return him to his family who has been waiting on him.”
But before the jury was released, the prosecution was allowed a rebuttal, delivered by Maurene Comey.
“The defendant got what he wanted, when he wanted,” she said with conviction.
Her voice was boisterous.
Comey focused on Agnifilo’s claim that Combs didn’t pay for sex. “Common sense tells you when he flew escorts out, it wasn’t for their scintillating conversation.”
She quickly moved onto the racketeering charge.
“There was a structure,” she said. “His team was loyal to him for years. Their goal was to protect him at all costs.”
Agnifilo’s argument of money was referenced early by Comey when she said the defendant’s team was “grasping at straws.”
It’s been 20 years, she said of Combs getting away with crime after crime. “In his mind, he was untouchable.”
She pleaded with the jury to convict.
Monday, Judge Arun Subramanian will deliver their rules of voting, and the jury will go into immediate deliberation.
Update as of June 26
“He doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Christy Slavik, one of the attorneys for the prosecution, or more appropriately, the government, delivered a 5-hour closing argument on Thursday in what was the most packed courtroom 26A has been over the last seven weeks during the US v. Sean Combs trial.
Throughout the five hours, she repeated the phrase, “he doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” as his family looked on. Janice, the matriarch and Combs’ mother, and his three sons, Justin, Christian, and Quincy, were all there. His daughters made their second appearance—Jessie and D’Lila with Chance. The twins wore cream pinstriped matching tailored jackets with flared pants.
The mogul’s side of the courtroom was filled with unflinching support, even when Slavick went into the goriest of details, describing the alleged indiscretions Combs is being charged with.
But there was another supporter in the audience.
Misa Hylton, the mother of Combs’ eldest son Justin Combs was there with rapper Vado, who is at the center of a current lawsuit with singer Mary J. Blige. According to numerous reports, the My Life singer withheld a completed album from Vado, pressuring him to leave Hylton’s management company (which the rapper is signed to) in an effort to get him to sign to her bodyguard’s label.
“Vado had an agreement with Hylton and her management company, M.I.S.A., entitling them to 20% of Vado’s income, Hylton is seeking $5 million.”—per LA Times.
Slavick, stumbling at times, was direct in her conviction of Combs.
“The defendant used power, violence, and fear to get what he wants,” Slavick said with the podium facing for the first time in weeks, towards the jury.
Focusing on Cassie, Jane, Capricorn Clark, and Mia—the prosecution took the jury through racketeering conspiracy, drug distribution, interstate commerce, having to do with interstate transportation for prostitution, forced labor, witness tampering and obstruction, and most notably sex trafficking.
Slavick spent most of her time attempting to convince the jury of the complexities of trafficking in the case of texts which the defense argued could have been consensual—because on several occasions, both Jane and Cassie solicited freak-offs, or hotel nights.
“She felt completely obligated to continue these hotel nights,” Slavick said of Jane.
The jury saw the InterContinental Hotel video again. And was preemptively told that the defense was going to tell them that it was going to be branded domestic violence.
The prosecution argues that because the incident happened during a freak-off, it is considered sex-trafficking.
“He made her dependent on him,” Slavick said of Cassie and Combs’ relationship.
At different times during the day, Cassie bruises and injuries were shown to the jury.
After one beating, Cassie previously testified that D-Roc, who the prosecution lists as a co-conspirator, began to cry. Still, he never stepped in to help.
“There were many freak-offs Cassie participated in because of the defendant’s forced coercion,” Slavick said. “This is illegal sex trafficking.”
She asked the jury to put themselves in Cassie’s position.
“Imagine what it would be like to have the person closest to you beat you, kick you, hit you, for saying the wrong things.”
Of the co-conspirator argument, Slavick spent a considerable amount of time.
“Just like with everything else, [Sean “Diddy” Combs] did not do it alone.” Adding, “He needed help getting drugs for the ‘Freak Offs,’ getting cash to pay the escorts, and he needed help keeping Cassie and Jane in line. For those things, he again turned to his most loyal lieutenants.”
Kristina Khorram, who was Combs’ chief of staff until his arrest, has been at the center of several witness testimonies. Slavick didn’t shy away from mentioning her.
“KK knew that what was happening in those videos was wrong. But she did damage control,” she said. “At times, it seemed like KK was disapproving, but that doesn’t matter. She knew exactly what was happening. And made sure the defendant had everything he needed.”
Capricorn Clark’s kidnapping—which the prosecution says happened twice (once during her lie detector test, and once during Combs’ hunt for rapper Kid Cudi) both fall under the RICO charge.
Mia, Combs’ ex-assistant who testified under a pseudonym, was sexually assaulted (which occurred numerous times—per her testimony). That act falls under the forced labor argument Slavick spoke about in reference to Clark and Mia who testified they didn’t quit for fear of financial reasons and career goals.
Combs’ charges include one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The mogul pleaded not guilty.
Tomorrow the defense will present their closing argument to the jury.
Update as of June 25
In a shocking move from the prosecution last night, they sent a motion to the courts asking that multiple acts in the charges against Sean Combs be dropped. But what does that mean for the mogul, who is facing racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution?
Wednesday, after court was supposed to begin at noon, Judge Arun Subramanian took the bench shortly after 2 p.m. “This is the most people I’ve ever seen at a charge conference,” he said.
The gallery, and attorneys laughed.
Tuesday, the prosecution and the defense rested their case, but as it turns out—both sides had much more to say.
“Specifically, the Government have removed instructions from the charge relating to (i) attempted kidnapping under both California and New York law, (ii) attempted arson under California law, and (iii) aiding and abetting sex trafficking,” per the defense’s letter.
RICO, which is Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, gives the prosecution the ability to pursue Combs for coercion under their alleged coercion claim which has to do with “freak offs,” “hotel nights,” or “king nights,” as they’ve referred to them throughout their arguments.
The charges dropped largely have to do with Capricorn Clark’s kidnapping testimony and Kid Cudi’s testimony having to do with his car being set on fire.
“The government has serious concerns that the jury may misunderstand the applicable law for both charges, which are extremely complex legal concepts about which jurors may have preconceived, mistaken notions,” according to their letter.
The prosecution asked Judge Subramanian to instruct the jury to make known the fact that a person can have consensual sex still be sex trafficked.
The defense and prosecution will begin closing arguments Thursday.
Update as of June 24
The Bad Boy charisma that Jane, Cassie Ventura, Capricorn Clark, Mia, and several other ex-assistants referenced on the witness stand made an appearance today when Sean Combs caused Judge Arun Subramanian to laugh.
“You’re doing an excellent job,” the mogul said. “I’ve been wanting to tell you thank you.”
Giggling, Judge Subramanian said, “Thank you, I appreciate it.”
Combs declined to testify as the prosecution rested their case—but not before the the defense called for a full acquittal of all charges.
Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro took the court – absent a sitting jury (who was dismissed for lunch) through each charge, and why they should be dismissed.
Kristina Khorram, who the prosecution calls a co-conspirator, accused Combs via texts, of lying to her. Shapiro, argued Khorram wasn’t aware of Combs’ dealings. Further, she argued that the mogul tried to hide his sexual dealings from his employees. Khorram began working for Combs as his chief of staff in 2016. The case against Combs dates between 2004 and 2024—that’s a 12 year gap between when she would have started, and when the government alleges foul play.
Further, of the employees and participating in the crimes with the mogul, Shapiro said, “There’s, at best, thin proof that any of the other employees willingly participated in crimes with and for Mr. Combs.”
This did not include finding and purchasing small amounts of drugs for the mogul.
While Combs chose not to testify, MIMS, host of Make it Make Sense said “I think it was a misstep on the part of the defense not to call forensic and addictions psychiatrist, Elie Aoun to address the impaired mental functioning of a drug addict which in my opinion is no excuse,” adding, “it might have helped Diddy in the eyes of the jury.”
Queen Ahmadiyyah Shakur, who is the host of The Original Queen Ahmadiyyah Shakur Show, agrees with Shapiro.
“I don’t think the texts and audio were enough. I would have preferred having both D-Roc and Kristina Khorram testify to hear their sides of the story,” she said.
On Combs’ drug use, Shakur said, “I absolutely feel that Mr. Combs’ drug use may sway some of the jurors. Some may feel as though he wasn’t in his right frame of mind.” Adding, “They may even believe that both he and Ventura engaged in such toxic behavior due to their shared addictions to multiple drugs.”
MIMS who was one of the first content creators to break the story of the InterContinental Hotel footage online, said, “The case presented against D-Roc might be a tougher sell. Kristina Khorram, on the other hand, conspired in countless text messages that were read aloud by the prosecution.”
Like other content creators MIMS and Shakur, flew into New York to cover the case. “I was surprised that Victim 3, Gina Huynh was not compelled to testify which may hurt the prosecution as well,” MIMS said.
Where the freak-offs are concerned, Shapiro argued Combs did not coerce Ventura into participating. Further, the defense provided text proof that she participated of her own free will.
Shakur believes Ventura’s testimony is going to resonate with the jury. “Cassie was young and naive when she first met Mr. Combs. She is also a wife and mother which will likely garner her support from many women.”
Still, the video from the InterContinental Hotel, which the prosecution showed several times, has become a major part of their evidence, and during jury selection—it was asked whether prospective jurors could be impartial, having potentially seen it.
Shakur believes it could sway the jury, even if not intentionally, “due to the extreme level of violence.” She adds, “It was also shown so many times in court that I feel it has lost its shock value to many.”
“A person in Mr. Combs’ position clearly would’ve understood that, on the contrary, she enjoyed the sexual activity and did not feel coerced,” Shapiro said.
MIMS said, “I’m fearful that the jury won’t see Combs’ former girlfriends as victims. Adding, “The coercion in Jane’s case may not be clear to the jury.”
The jury has been in the final stretch of what been as evidenced by their faces, a grueling and monotonous trial.
“I worry about jury fatigue,” MIMS said. “I was tired of taking it all in and I am sure the jury was too.”
Sitting in the courtroom, MIMS affectionately refers to one juror as Pearl, referencing the iconic show, “227.”—“She has taken very few notes,” the content creator said. “But her face speaks volumes. That leads me to believe her mind have been made up for some time.”
Earlier in the day, there was a continuation of Joseph Cerciello, special agent for Homeland Security’s testimony.
The defense’s cross-examinations using text messages from Jane and Combs accented with “entertainers” who we’ve previously reported were men that were hired to have sex with Jane during “hotel nights” show a different perspective of their relationship.
The two (Jane and Combs) exchanged explicit texts with each other where they described how much they either wanted to sleep with each other or did sleep with each other.
The defense played explicit videos at different points throughout the morning. One was so loud at that one point, they had to keep stopping to ensure that the gallery didn’t hear anything. Despite their efforts at certain points, moaning could be heard until microphones were muted and volumes on earphones were turned down substantially.
“Some may have been repulsed or shocked by viewing the actual footage. but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the jurors will vote guilty solely for that reason,” Shakur said.
Update as of June 23
The prosecution played several audio messages Monday featuring Sean Combs voice and though each file was previously entered into evidence, the cadence in the mogul’s tone, rang off like the interlude to a double-platinum 90s—2000’s record.
It couldn’t then, have been happenstance that the courtyard which surrounds the Southern District of New York was abuzz about a guest appearance from former Bad Boy artist G. Dep not long before the prosecution is set to rest their case against Combs who is being charged with racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Monday, Joseph Cerciello, who is a special agent for Homeland Security continued his testimony. The prosecution took several hours reading messages between Combs, previous witnesses—including Cassie Ventura, Jane, and ex-employees. But most notably, the jury was shown more freak-off videos. During this time, the monitors were turned off.
On cross-examination, Teny Geragos questioned invoices for travel, which were for Combs—not his businesses.
Digital footprints have changed over the last 15 years, according to Candace Kelley, a legal analyst and professor of media law at Rowan University. Expert witnesses, such as Cerciello, who the prosecution have brought on to verify texts, video, and audio messages have—per Kelley, proven to be impactful. This is especially true in the case of key employees who are noticeably absent from the witness list. “The weight of this evidence had been extraordinary,” Kelley said.
Though Kristina Khorram has been absent from the witness stand, Kelley said digital evidence has made her absence less poignant. “We certainly heard from her in text messages,” she said.
Kelley is also the co-host of Not All Hood with Cosby Show actor, Malcolm Jamal-Warner and Weusi Baraka.
Closing arguments are scheduled to happen on Thursday, jury deliberations could happen as early as Friday, per both sides to the judge on Monday morning. The defense is no longer calling the witnesses they once planned.
Wednesday, the prosecution and defense will meet for a charge conference. Per Law School Research, both sides meet during charge conferences with the judge to decide on—”a set of instructions that the judge gives to the jury before they begin their deliberations.” Specifically, “During the charge conference, the judge and attorneys discuss the specific language and wording of the jury charge. The attorneys may suggest changes or additions to the charge, and the judge will ultimately decide what instructions to give to the jury.”
Kelley, who in 2001 covered the court case involving the shooting at a nightclub involving Sean Combs and rapper Shyne. For BET News, says that the defense could be preparing for an appeal.
That appeal may have to do directly (or indirectly) with the jury.
“Back in February 2025, Combs’ attorneys argued in a motion that “This case is unprecedented in many ways, but perhaps most notably, and most disturbingly, no white person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution.”” Kelley said this is good for the appeal process.
Last week’s dismissal of Juror No. 6 still has the defense reeling. Citing race as the prosecution’s motivation may be a precursor for Combs’ legal team’s appeal.
“When Justice Thurgood Marshall was alive, he argued that the only way to truly eliminate racial discrimination in jury selection, which he saw as inherent in the use of peremptory challenges, was to abolish them entirely,” Kelley said. “We have to hold the jury system accountable in real time.”
If race is a factor in the case, the defense thinks so. “If there is a mistrial in this case, for example, the next potential jury pool will already be exposed to both the defense and prosecution’s interpretation of the law.”
The defense’s efforts to get the judge to declare a mistrial have been denied at least three times.
“All you have to do is look out your window or turn on the news to see how racism continues to shape all facets of American life,” Kelley said. “Some may say this is just playing the race card, but these racial disparities manifest across multiple dimensions of the justice system.”
Cerciello read several messages aloud between Combs and Jane, where the mogul would send money to the influencer—most times through Khorram—sometimes after “hotel nights,” which were similar to the “freak-offs” Ventura experienced.
The singer’s mother, Regina Ventura was a gamechanger for Kelley who says of the witnesses, “the ones who have not been in a romantic relationship with Sean Combs,” were the most compelling.
ESSENCE previously reported that Regina Ventura took out a $20,000 home equity loan after receiving threats of a sex tape potentially being released featuring her daughter and a sex-worker. Though the money was returned within 24 hours, “The extortion was completed though – before the return of that money,” Kelley said.
At the very least, “Clearly based on the evidence, Sean Combs transported people across state lines for the purpose of prostitution,” Kelley said. “That’s punishable by up to 10 years.”
Kelley also referenced the $100,000 that witness Eddie Garcia received in exchange for the InterContinental Hotel. That video of course showed Cassie being physically assaulted by Combs. “We finally got to fill in the blanks of the bribery stories we have all heard over the past year.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty on all charges.
Update as of June 20
Brendan Paul came to court today in a gray suit. His sartorial choice perhaps spoke to his relationship with Sean Combs. The ex-assistant touted the word, “loyalty” to the jury and gallery making sure they knew that it was part of the culture the mogul instilled in his companies that captivated the 90s and 2000s—even to the day.
Like gray, neither black nor white, “It’s complicated,” Paul said of how he feels about his relationship with Combs.
When the mogul was arrested in 2024, Paul was branded in the media as Combs’ alleged drug mule. On cross-examination by Brian Steele—known for defending rapper Young Thug in the YSL RICO trial—he addressed those rumors immediately.
“You’re not some drug mule (are you)?” Steele stated and asked.
“Absolutely not,” Paul quickly replied.
The ex-assistant’s involvement with drugs either on behalf of Combs, or as a “staying awake” agent was spoken about in detail today.
Paul testified to seeing Combs use drugs multiple times—including cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy, and marijuana. Further, the ex-assistant would purchase drugs for Combs and had contacts he would either lie to about whom the drugs were for, or, sometimes pay for the drugs using his own money.
Through texts the court was shown, a dealer asked, “Is it for you or Puff,” in reference to one attempted sale.
“Puff,” Paul responded. “But please don’t disclose that, you can tell whoever it’s for me.”
After several weeks of testimony, largely from ex-assistants, bags containing drugs were used for “Freak-offs,” “King Nights,” or “Hotel Nights,” which the prosecution has used interchangeably to mean the same thing.
Paul recalls a time when he misplaced a LuluLemon bag. Combs, he recalls, was furious.
The ex-assistant wanted to go for a walk, he said. But his boss didn’t care.
“I don’t want to see your face,” the mogul told Paul. “Call KK and tell her you’re fired,” he instructed the ex-assistant.
Khorram told him to “lay low.”
Khorram kept Paul away from King Nights. Paul didn’t know why. Like most assistants, he worked 80-100 hour weeks from 2022—2024. His starting salary was $75,000. Capricorn Clark was the only assistant to start off making $65,000. She’d previously had a friendship with Combs for 2-3 years before working for the mogul.
Another assistant once told Paul when he was contemplating applying for the assistant position “to get in, get out, if you have a girlfriend, break up with her, and you’re never going to see your family.”
Paul said his use of Adderall was prescripted—though the prosecution did not investigate that claim. Cocaine was taken in “rare, rare, uses,” according to the ex-assistant. Marijuana was also a regular for Paul.
Sometimes he stayed awake for three straight days. Paul said he was young, “I could handle it.”
The Juneteenth holiday and a sick juror prolonged Paul’s testimony. Prior to taking the stand on Friday, Judge Arun Subramanian granted Paul immunity after he exercised his Fifth Amendment right not to testify. Paul is one of several of Combs’ ex-assistants who’ve not wanted to testify.
On March 25, 2024, Combs’ Chief of Staff, Khristina Khorram, Paul, and Combs himself took a selfie as they were enroute to a vacation on the mogul’s private jet. Paul said he hasn’t spoken to Combs since that photo was taken.
Khorram hired Paul—and has hired most of Combs’ assistants.
When Paul was arrested at the Opa-locka airport in Florida the same day Combs’ homes were raided, it was for drug charges. Today, the ex-assistant said, “I have a really good lawyer.”
The charges against Paul were dropped.
After Paul left the stand, the jury was shown more texts. One in particular between Combs and Cassie Ventura.
On March 18, 2017, Ventura texted Combs saying, “You’re at a point in your life where you want to party and have good time,” adding “I have to focus or I’ll never become anything.”
The singer’s sense of responsibility began to loom.
“Please don’t play victim. If you can go to our last messages. That’s all you wanted and that’s why I was upset,” Ventura wrote. “I love our FO (freak-offs) when we both want it.”
Joseph Cerciello in the Homeland Security Investigations office—took the stand after a short break. He was asked to confirm the information in the charts the prosecution compiled which included more texts and correspondence between Combs and “Jane.”
The chart includes 44 entries dating between May 2021 to August 2024.
Update as of June 17
Today, Judge Arun Subramanian walked into the courthouse asking what happened.
Lead counsel on both sides are being held responsible by the justice presiding over the Sean Combs sex trafficking case after proceedings that were sealed got leaked to the press.
“Well, someone is lying,” Judge Subramanian said. “One or more people in this courtroom or the designated people who were here on Friday flagrantly violated this court’s orders.”
Marc Agnifilo and Maurene Comey both denied involvement on behalf of their respective teams.
When Juror 6 was dismissed yesterday, the other jurors were told of his departure but not given an explanation. They were told not to discuss his leaving with each other. The Black male’s replacement with a white 55-year-old alternate hasn’t been discussed.
Before the jury took their place, Brendan Paul—another of Combs’ assistants who is scheduled to take the witness stand tomorrow was given immunity. Paul, who has been widely considered Combs’ alleged drug mule, wore a double-breasted black suit with pointy-toed Black shoes and ankle socks with a white tie-less button down. Paul’s hair was shaved on the sides—and as usual, his facial hair was minimal.
Within two minutes of the judge granting the immunity order, Paul switched places with special agent DeLeassa Penland and the jury walked in. Combs’ former assistant left for the day.
Penland, a special agent for the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has been charged with investigating documents attached to the crimes the prosecution is alleging Combs committed.
Why does this matter?
If the prosecution can prove Combs paid for his alleged crimes using company funds, that’s grounds for several of the crimes he’s being charged with.
For instance, the now infamous Frank Black alias, he used for hotel visits was used again in 2012 when his American Express card was charged in the amount of $46,786 to cover hotel damages.
In 2015, his card was charged $950 for “linen damage/deep cleaning.” These were all invoices the court was shown today.
Documents included a mix—invoices, texts, and videos of freak-offs.
Texts were shown involving the InterContinental Hotel incident which has become a central part of this case. Combs texted Cassie Ventura several times after she left the venue.
“You gonna abandon me all alone,” the mogul texted. He called her again twice with no answer. “Call me pls,” he texted her at 12:10 p.m.
Eventually, he got a reply.
“I have a premiere Monday. For the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I have a black eye and a fat lip. It was time for me to go. You are sick for thinking it’s okay to do what you’ve done,” Cassie texted. “Please stay far away from me.”
Combs called Cassie after that. She didn’t answer, so he texted her.
“I’m about to be arrested.” And then again, adding, “Thanks.”
Days after the incident, Combs texted Cassie once more. “Baby I cant say it enough Im so sorry!!!!!”
Cassie, replied, “I still have crazy bruising from Friday. I would be a dummy to subject myself to that possibly happening again,” Ventura wrote. “When you get fucked up the wrong way, you always want to show me that you have the power and you knock me around. I’m not a rag doll, I’m someone’s child.”
During cross examination, Teny Geragos took to the podium and brought to life through the same group of texts, a question as to why the government chose not to include more messages—speaking to the couple’s (Combs and Ventura) relationship.
In a message from Cassie to Combs, she told the mogul she was “always ready to Freak-off.”
Geragos confirmed with Penland that those messages were left out of her investigation and overall report that has been presented between today and yesterday.
Another message included Cassie saying that she couldn’t wait to “look at a big black dick,” which was also left out.
Monitors went black today and those in the gallery—the press and the people sat in silence as those in the front; the jury, the judge, and the defense and prosecution sat in front of their monitors with earphones on. Four minutes of freak off featuring Puff Daddy, a man named “Dave” and Cassie as one juror could be seen cringing while another squinted their eyes. The discomfort for at the view was obvious.
Texts showed by the defense highlight Cassie’s involvement in the planning of freak-offs. As for her feelings, a 2012 text she sent had her telling Combs about “sexy flashbacks of yesterday” referring to a freak-off.
Court will resume on Wednesday.
Update as of June 16
Juror 6 has been removed. Per the defense, he’s a 41-year-old Black man who lived in the Bronx and New Jersey. Judge Arun Subramanian did not want additional questioning on the issue.
Being a Black male was the center crux of the defense’s argument which they sent via letter to the courts over the weekend.
According to the Equal Justice Initiative, “racially discriminatory practices remained widespread as state officials used “more covert and less overt” methods of exclusion.”
According to the letter, sent on Sunday, “The fairness of the trial depends in part on having jurors with backgrounds similar to Mr. Combs share their perspectives on the evidence with other jurors from diverse backgrounds during deliberations.”
The Black juror will be replaced by a 56-year old married white man.
After the jury was dismissed today, both sides heard issues about another jury member. Though unrelated, there’s another problem. Whether it will result in dismissal has not been determined.
Paralegal Ananya Sankar was called to the stand first and spoke to the accuracy of the text messages and documents which as the prosecution prepares to rest their portion of the case, has topped hundreds of pages.
Kristina Khorram’s texts were discussed and read aloud in court. Khorram is, as previously discussed, Combs’ chief of staff.
“Heads up, he’s probably about to do wild king tonight,” Khorram texted one of Combs’ assistants.
“Freak Offs,” “King Nights,” and “Hotel Nights” were discussed regularly on company phones.
Jane would text Khorram asking for between $5-10,000. Khorram asked Comb’s permission.
“Jane asked if you could bring 5-10k cash, it’s all in your safe.”
Combs would also text regularly to request drugs, “Molly, 15 pills,” to Khorram and members of his security team.
Special agent DeLeassa Penland took the stand next to run the jury through travel logistics.
Her focus centered on Cassie Ventura and Combs’ plans around freak-offs—having to do with hotel and flights.
Through texts, there was a clear notion that Cassie feared being filmed, and consistently asked Combs whether there was footage she didn’t know about.
One incident in October 22, 2013, involved a text from Cassie to Combs where she asked, “You didn’t film anything on your phone, rt?”
“No,” the mogul replied, “No way.”
Penland will continue tomorrow, but Combs’ assistant, Brendan Paul—and alleged drug mule is schedule to take the stand late tomorrow. Paul is supposed to take most of Tuesday and Wednesday.