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Sky News
22-05-2025
- Sky News
Diddy trial live: Hotel rooms cleaned to 'protect' rapper's public image, court hears
We're pausing our live coverage That concludes our live coverage of the eighth day of the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs. If you're just checking in, here is a recap of the testimony from today's witnesses. George Kaplan, former assistant to Combs The court heard how Kaplan set up hotel rooms for Combs, including clothes, candles, baby oil, Astroglide [lubricant], and that Combs would host a female partner; After Combs left, it would be Kaplan's job to collect his belongings, clear up the baby oil and tidy away "lots" of liquor bottles, the court heard; Kaplan said it was implied his job was to protect Combs and his public image; Combs threatened his job on occasion, he added. Gerard Gannon, Homeland Security agent Gannon gave more details on what was found during the raid of Combs' property; Residue that tested positive for cocaine and ketamine was found inside a Gucci bag, as well as MDMA pills, a meth fragment, and evidence of ketamine and xanax, the court heard; The court was shown a photo of a closet in a hallway containing 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles of Astroglide lubricant; Male escort Sharay Hayes has previously testified that baby oil was used during sexual encounters with Combs and his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura; Guns and bullets were also found; Defence lawyer Teny Geragos tried to show that the guns were kept safely stored and the magazines were not loaded into the receivers; He seemed to suggest investigators manipulated what they found for the photos and arranged them in a way that looked nefarious. Dawn Hughes, clinical and forensic psychologist Hughes was giving evidence as a blind witness, so she had not reviewed evidence in the case and was not there to comment on specifics; Instead, she outlined the nature of abusive relationships and how they can impact victims; She talked about how it was common for victims to stay in abusive relationships and to delay disclosing abuse until some time after it had occurred; Substance abuse was a very common coping mechanism to numb the pain, she said; PTSD could make recalling information difficult, she said. In pictures: Seized guns and messages scrawled on Diddy's mirror We can now bring you some more images submitted by the prosecution, taken during a Homeland Security raid of Sean Combs' property. Messages scrawled on a mirror read "What do you want?" and "you a legend". Other photographs show weapons and pills that the court heard were seized during testimony earlier today. Jury dismissed That's all the testimony we'll hear today. Former Combs assistant George Kaplan will be back on the stand tomorrow. Prosecutor Maurene Comey said she has 30 minutes of questions left before the defence team take over. Assistant describes preparing hotel rooms with baby oil for Combs George Kaplan, a former assistant to Combs, is still on the stand, describing how he travelled with the musician by private jet. He would set up hotel rooms for Combs, including clothes, candles, baby oil, Astroglide [lubricant], adding that Combs would host a female partner at the hotel. After Combs left, it would be Kaplan's job to collect his belongings, take the baby oil away, tidy away "lots" of liquor bottles, the court hears. Kaplan says it was implied his job was to protect Combs and his public image, because hotels would sell photos to embarrass celebrities. On a couple of occasions, Combs had Kaplan bring him drugs, he says, though he never asked him to get a specific type of drug. Former assistant: 'Angry Combs threatened my job' Former assistant George Kaplan says Combs threatened his job on occasion, maybe monthly. The court hears Combs would say he was only surrounded by the best and those who were not performing wouldn't last. His tone was motivational, sometimes angry, Kaplan says. Former Combs assistant takes stand George Kaplan, a former employee of Sean Combs, is taking the stand. He explains how he worked at the musician's homes and in Los Angeles, carrying and unpacking his bags, making sure his homes were organised, setting up hotel rooms, making sure all Combs' toiletries were available and his office was ready, and working late nights at the studio. Prosecutor Maurene Comey is first to question him. Several objections made to line of questioning There have been several sidebars as prosecutors object to a line of questioning where defence attorney Jonathan Bach is probing what trauma expert Dr Dawn Hughes discussed with prosecutors in her meetings before she appeared to testify. Hughes then confirms that she is testifying as a blind expert, without knowledge of the particulars of the case. Jury sent to break room as 2015 webinar discussed in court The jury are sent to a side room while the judge, prosecution and defence discuss whether a piece of evidence will be included in the trial. The defence want a webinar from 2015, given by Dr Hughes, to be shown to the jury. Defence lawyer Jonathan Bach argues the webinar was training for advocates of abused women, and therefore puts her testimony into perspective. The prosecution argues the webinar is not relevant and does not indicate any bias on the part of Dr Hughes, adding it will be confusing for the jury. The judge agrees and rules on the side of the prosecution. The jury return to court. Cross-examination focuses on memories and reasons for taking legal action Under cross-examination by Combs's defence, Dr Dawn Hughes is asked about the reasons people talk to civil lawyers to bring lawsuits in cases of alleged abuse. She says people go to such lawyers to right a wrong, and adds she does both civil and criminal work. Asked if memories can be fragmented, she agrees that they can. Jonathan Bach follows this with a question about people having hazy memories. He suggests someone could recall details they didn't before after consulting a civil lawyer. The prosecution objects, and the judge sustains their protest. Bach changes tack a little, saying people could have new memories after speaking to a lawyer for all kinds of reasons. Dr Hughes suggests memories can be recalled differently over time. Bach asks if memories change over time, and Dr Hughes agrees that they do. Defence focuses on general nature of expert's testimony Defence attorney Jonathan Bach is back cross-examining trauma expert Dr Dawn Hughes. She is asked if a psychologist should only form an opinion after interviewing them. There are other guidelines, that is part of one, she replies. Bach suggests she did not, in this case, do a comprehensive evaluation. "I was not asked to do that," she replies. Asked if she has given the same testimony in other court cases, she says it is her area of expertise.
Sky News
21-05-2025
- Sky News
As it happened: Hotel rooms cleaned to 'protect' Diddy's public image, court hears
We're pausing our live coverage That concludes our live coverage of the eighth day of the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs. If you're just checking in, here is a recap of the testimony from today's witnesses. George Kaplan, former assistant to Combs The court heard how Kaplan set up hotel rooms for Combs, including clothes, candles, baby oil, Astroglide [lubricant], and that Combs would host a female partner; After Combs left, it would be Kaplan's job to collect his belongings, clear up the baby oil and tidy away "lots" of liquor bottles, the court heard; Kaplan said it was implied his job was to protect Combs and his public image; Combs threatened his job on occasion, he added. Gerard Gannon, Homeland Security agent Gannon gave more details on what was found during the raid of Combs' property; Residue that tested positive for cocaine and ketamine was found inside a Gucci bag, as well as MDMA pills, a meth fragment, and evidence of ketamine and xanax, the court heard; The court was shown a photo of a closet in a hallway containing 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles of Astroglide lubricant; Male escort Sharay Hayes has previously testified that baby oil was used during sexual encounters with Combs and his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura; Guns and bullets were also found; Defence lawyer Teny Geragos tried to show that the guns were kept safely stored and the magazines were not loaded into the receivers; He seemed to suggest investigators manipulated what they found for the photos and arranged them in a way that looked nefarious. Dawn Hughes, clinical and forensic psychologist Hughes was giving evidence as a blind witness, so she had not reviewed evidence in the case and was not there to comment on specifics; Instead, she outlined the nature of abusive relationships and how they can impact victims; She talked about how it was common for victims to stay in abusive relationships and to delay disclosing abuse until some time after it had occurred; Substance abuse was a very common coping mechanism to numb the pain, she said; PTSD could make recalling information difficult, she said. In pictures: Seized guns and messages scrawled on Diddy's mirror We can now bring you some more images submitted by the prosecution, taken during a Homeland Security raid of Sean Combs' property. Messages scrawled on a mirror read "What do you want?" and "you a legend". Other photographs show weapons and pills that the court heard were seized during testimony earlier today. Jury dismissed That's all the testimony we'll hear today. Former Combs assistant George Kaplan will be back on the stand tomorrow. Prosecutor Maurene Comey said she has 30 minutes of questions left before the defence team take over. Assistant describes preparing hotel rooms with baby oil for Combs George Kaplan, a former assistant to Combs, is still on the stand, describing how he travelled with the musician by private jet. He would set up hotel rooms for Combs, including clothes, candles, baby oil, Astroglide [lubricant], adding that Combs would host a female partner at the hotel. After Combs left, it would be Kaplan's job to collect his belongings, take the baby oil away, tidy away "lots" of liquor bottles, the court hears. Kaplan says it was implied his job was to protect Combs and his public image, because hotels would sell photos to embarrass celebrities. On a couple of occasions, Combs had Kaplan bring him drugs, he says, though he never asked him to get a specific type of drug. Former assistant: 'Angry Combs threatened my job' Former assistant George Kaplan says Combs threatened his job on occasion, maybe monthly. The court hears Combs would say he was only surrounded by the best and those who were not performing wouldn't last. His tone was motivational, sometimes angry, Kaplan says. Former Combs assistant takes stand George Kaplan, a former employee of Sean Combs, is taking the stand. He explains how he worked at the musician's homes and in Los Angeles, carrying and unpacking his bags, making sure his homes were organised, setting up hotel rooms, making sure all Combs' toiletries were available and his office was ready, and working late nights at the studio. Prosecutor Maurene Comey is first to question him. Several objections made to line of questioning There have been several sidebars as prosecutors object to a line of questioning where defence attorney Jonathan Bach is probing what trauma expert Dr Dawn Hughes discussed with prosecutors in her meetings before she appeared to testify. Hughes then confirms that she is testifying as a blind expert, without knowledge of the particulars of the case. Jury sent to break room as 2015 webinar discussed in court The jury are sent to a side room while the judge, prosecution and defence discuss whether a piece of evidence will be included in the trial. The defence want a webinar from 2015, given by Dr Hughes, to be shown to the jury. Defence lawyer Jonathan Bach argues the webinar was training for advocates of abused women, and therefore puts her testimony into perspective. The prosecution argues the webinar is not relevant and does not indicate any bias on the part of Dr Hughes, adding it will be confusing for the jury. The judge agrees and rules on the side of the prosecution. The jury return to court. Cross-examination focuses on memories and reasons for taking legal action Under cross-examination by Combs's defence, Dr Dawn Hughes is asked about the reasons people talk to civil lawyers to bring lawsuits in cases of alleged abuse. She says people go to such lawyers to right a wrong, and adds she does both civil and criminal work. Asked if memories can be fragmented, she agrees that they can. Jonathan Bach follows this with a question about people having hazy memories. He suggests someone could recall details they didn't before after consulting a civil lawyer. The prosecution objects, and the judge sustains their protest. Bach changes tack a little, saying people could have new memories after speaking to a lawyer for all kinds of reasons. Dr Hughes suggests memories can be recalled differently over time. Bach asks if memories change over time, and Dr Hughes agrees that they do. Defence focuses on general nature of expert's testimony Defence attorney Jonathan Bach is back cross-examining trauma expert Dr Dawn Hughes. She is asked if a psychologist should only form an opinion after interviewing them. There are other guidelines, that is part of one, she replies. Bach suggests she did not, in this case, do a comprehensive evaluation. "I was not asked to do that," she replies. Asked if she has given the same testimony in other court cases, she says it is her area of expertise.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Diddy trial is shown most shocking photos yet from raid of rapper's Miami mansion
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs' sex trafficking trial has been shown shocking photos from a raid on his Miami mansion that included guns, drugs, industrial quantities of 'freak off' paraphernalia and boxes of women's high heels. Homeland Security Special Agent Gerard Gannon talked jurors through the startling exhibits at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in Manhattan Tuesday. They were seized during a March 2024 raid on Diddy's $40 million home on the ultra-exclusive Star Island after an armored vehicle was used to smash open its gates. The images, shared with the public on Wednesday morning, include parts of AR-15 rifles. One of the guns had a 'red dot' viewer that would have made it easier to hit a target. Gannon told the court that the weapon had their serial numbers removed which would have made it difficult or 'impossible' to trace them. In a dramatic moment, he was asked to open an evidence bag in a cart next to him with scissors and stand before the jury holding up the upper part of the AR-15 rifle. Gannon assured the jury the gun had been rendered safe and held it up with both hands: jurors craned their necks to see. Other exhibits and images shown to jurors were less dangerous but equally disturbing. Three large plastic boxes containing at least 26 bottles of Johnson's Baby Oil and 16 bottles of Astroglide lubricant were snapped during the Star Island raid. Diddy famously loved to use the liquids during 'freak off' sex parties. Earlier on Tuesday, male escort Sharay Hayes - also known as The Punisher - told how he was paid to oil up Diddy's ex-girlfriend and alleged victim Cassie Ventura in two Manhattan hotels while the rapper watched. Hayes said Diddy wore a face-covering veil similar to the garb often worn by conservative Muslim women to disguise his identity during their initial meetings. The latest photo drop from the Star Island raid also includes a creepy image of a mirror covered with scrawls written in lipstick and makeup inside an opulent marble and gold bathroom. One written in black up high said 'Onward motion,' with another message apparently written in the same handwriting below reading: 'What do you WANT?' Others were written in red lipstick. 'You a legend and quite stn Team Puffy', said one. 'Love you love Diddy' said another. There are several other mirror messages rendered unreadable due to the lighting and reflections from the glass furniture. The mirror sat atop a cluttered vanity covered with skin lotion and mouth wash. Other photos shown to jurors included multiple boxes of vertiginous high heels with huge platforms that are often favored by strippers and pole dancers. A box that appeared to contain a very revealing lime-colored one-piece bikini sat beside one pair of the shoes. Diddy was previously accused of using the party drug GBH for freak-offs, and seemingly illicit substances were also seized during the Miami raid. One brown sachet contained capsules marked 'golden teachers, 250mg.' That is a slang term for magic mushrooms. Plastic baggies containing rocks of a dark, crumbly-looking substance were photographed, but it is not clear what that substance was. Other baggies showed pink, blue and white pills. When Diddy was arrested at a hotel while preparing for a freak-off, investigators seized substances later found to be ketamine and MDMA, although it's still unclear what was found during the Miami raid. A box of an upmarket erectile dysfunction drug called Vital Honey was photographed. Vital Honey contains tadalifil - the main ingredient in Cialis, a more powerful alternative to Viagra. Upmarket erectile drugs caled Vital Honey were also uncovered. They contain a substance commonly found in Cialis - a stronger version of Viagra Diddy, pictured in a court sketch drawn Wednesday, has gone totally gray after being held in a federal prison while awaiting trial Diddy and ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at the Met Gala in 2018. He denies sex trafficking her and another anonymous woman A box of nitrous oxide that may have been used as a party drug was visible, as was a bright green suitcase emblazoned with the word 'Diddy' that was used for transporting marijuana. One of the famously well-groomed star's beauty secrets was also busted by the raid. Boxes of black hair and beard dye could be seen on a closet shelf. Court sketches show that Diddy has gone completely gray since being ordered into custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center while awaiting trial. The rapper denies sex-trafficking ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who completed her evidence earlier this week as well as a second unidentified woman. He also denies racketeering. Diddy's lawyers concede he is a domestic abuser, after a 2016 clip of him beating up Cassie in a hotel hallway stunned the world. They also say that he enjoyed an unusual and lively sex life, but insist his behavior always involved consenting adults and that he is not guilty of any crimes. The trial continues.
