10 hours ago
Live updates: Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial closing arguments
Update:
Date: 5 min ago
Title: Closing arguments are expected to begin soon
Content:
The jury in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' criminal trial is expected to hear closing arguments this morning.
In federal court, prosecutors present their closing arguments first, followed by the defense team. Prosecutors are allowed the final say and can respond in a rebuttal closing argument since they need to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
After both sides make their closing case, the judge will instruct the jury as to the charges they must consider against the defendant and the laws governing their deliberations.
Update:
Date: 10 min ago
Title: Prosecutors took 6 weeks to present their case. The defense team took about 30 minutes
Content:
Defense attorneys for Sean 'Diddy' Combs rested their case Tuesday after making the decision not to call any witnesses.
The nine-person defense team instead focused on its cross-examination of the 34 government witnesses, sometimes questioning them longer than prosecutors to sow doubt in the government's case.
Defense attorney Anna Estevao submitted several exhibits into evidence and then read messages from Cassie Ventura to Combs into the record on Tuesday, as well as statements from other witnesses before officially resting. The entire process took about 30 minutes.
Earlier on Tuesday, the prosecution also rested its case.
Prosecutors called 34 witnesses over more than six weeks of testimony. The government called its first witness on Monday, May 12, and by the time their case was over, there had been a total of 28 days of testimony.
Closing arguments are expected to begin around 10 a.m. ET.
