Diddy trial live: Court resumes after sex tape blackmail claim - as court hears about drugs raid evidence
14:40:48
Meth, cocaine and ketamine found in Gucci bag during raids - and phones found inside boot
Prosecutor Madison Smyser is resuming her questioning of Homeland Security Investigations agent Gerard Gannon where she left off yesterday.
She begins to ask him about a collection of high-heeled shoes and boots found during the raids on Combs's Miami homes.
The court is told three mobile phones were found inside one boot.
Residue that tested positive for cocaine and ketamine was found inside a Gucci bag, as well as MDMA pills, a meth fragment, ketamine and xanax, the court hears.
The court is then shown a photo of a closet in a hallway containing 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles of Astroglide lubricant.
Bins in the cupboard also contained bottles of baby oil - and a rubber duck, the court hears.
14:17:28
Homeland Security agent back on the stand
Gerard Gannon, an agent with Homeland Security Investigations, is taking the stand again, wearing a suit and tie.
He started giving evidence yesterday, discussing the raids on Combs's Miami homes.
The agent showed photos of items taken during the raid, including sex toys, high heels and loaded guns.
13:43:26
Combs's lawyers arrive in court
We're just hearing that Sean "Diddy" Combs's legal team have arrived at the court in Manhattan for the eighth day of the trial.
Xavier Donaldson, Marc Agnifilo, Jason Driscoll, Brian Steel, and Alexandra Shapiro, who are all part of Combs's defence, were seen arriving at court just after 8am local time (1pm UK).
13:38:38
Who is Scott Mescudi - better known as Kid Cudi?
Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, dated Casandra Ventura in 2011. He is expected to testify in court today or tomorrow.
If you've been following the trial, you'll know Combs is facing a number of allegations from Cassie, so Mescudi's evidence today could focus again on her relationship with Diddy.
Cassie testified last week that Combs kicked her in the back at his house after finding out she was cheating on him with Mescudi in 2011.
Mescudi is a rapper, singer and music producer.
The 41-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, is known for hits like Day 'N' Nite, Pursuit Of Happiness and Mr Rager.
He has collaborated with other artists, such as Kanye West, on 2010's Erase Me.
In January 2024, he released his 10th studio album, INSANO. That included contributions from the likes of Lil Wayne, Travis Scott and Pharrell.
Last year, he also announced he was taking a break from music to focus on his film and TV career.
Mescudi has previously spoken of his desire to work more as an actor. He's appeared in sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the Netflix film Don't Look Up.
13:12:01
A reminder of the charges
Sean Combs is facing five felony charges:
Racketeering conspiracy;
Two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion;
Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The rapper was initially charged with three offences - racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Two extra counts - one each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution - were added earlier in April.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
What the charges mean
Racketeering broadly means engaging in an illegal scheme or enterprise, and the charge falls under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO) in the US.
According to the US justice department's definition of RICO statute, it is also illegal to "conspire to violate" the laws.
The prosecution alleges that between 2008 and 2024, Combs "led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes".
13:00:01
Welcome back
Welcome back to our coverage of the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.
The rapper faces five felony charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the seventh day of the trial yesterday, the court heard from Cassie Ventura's mother, Regina, who claimed Combs had threatened to release two explicit sex tapes of her daughter.
She said the rapper demanded $20,000 for the tape, with her family taking out a home equity loan to pay it.
We also heard from Combs's former assistant David James, who detailed a list of items he was responsible for delivering to his boss's hotel rooms.
They included apple sauce, baby oil, Jell-o, cosmetics for Combs's skin and pills to increase sperm count.
Today, we are expecting to hear from Scott Mescudi, who is known professionally as Kid Cudi. He dated Cassie in 2011.
Stay with us for the latest.
20:47:05
What did we learn today?
Here are the key moments from day seven of the trial:
Cassie's mother, Regina Ventura, told the court Diddy had told her daughter he would "release two explicit sex tapes" of her, and threatened to hurt her, after becoming jealous of her relationship with Kid Cudi.
She said the family took out a home equity loan and paid Diddy $20,000 "because [Diddy] demanded it".
Regina also described calling the police when Diddy took Cassie's phone. The defence declined the opportunity to question Regina.
A male exotic dancer, nicknamed "The Punisher", described performing with Cassie while Diddy watched from a corner, around eight to 12 times.
He said Diddy would wear a cap, and he could not see his face, but he later realised it was the famous rapper.
"The Punisher" said he was paid between $1,200 and $2,000 for each performance, but was not called back after struggling to get an erection during one encounter.
David James, Diddy's ex-personal assistant, also completed his evidence, testifying that he never saw physical violence between Cassie and his former boss.
He described a time Diddy got "upset" with him after looking at his browsing history, and saw he had Googled "Diddy LA Club".
He also went into detail about the items he would deliver to Diddy in his hotel rooms, including apple sauce and Jell-o, cosmetics for Diddy's skin and pills to increase sperm count.
He also said Diddy once told him he was keeping "embarrassing" footage of him at a party after he had taken ecstasy.
James said staff were forced to take lie detector tests, and described a time he said his "life was in danger" during a dispute in a diner car park with rival record label owner Suge Knight.
He said Diddy returned to the diner with "three guns," and shortly after, James said he quit his job.
The final person to give evidence was a special agent responsible for planning the raids on Combs's Miami home on Star Island in Florida.
Steve Gannon showed photos of items taken during the raid, including sex toys, high heels and loaded guns.
We'll be back with all the latest updates from the trial tomorrow.
20:12:22
Kid Cudi to give evidence tomorrow
The jury has now been excused, and court is adjourned for the day.
We are told the court will hear from new witnesses tomorrow - potentially including Scott Mescudi, who is known professionally as Kid Cudi.
Cassie and Mescudi dated in 2011.
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