Latest news with #onTrial
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Judge in Diddy trial warns he may be removed from courtroom after jury interactions
The federal judge overseeing the sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs scolded his defense lawyers Thursday and warned he could be removed from the courtroom after he apparently made facial expressions at jurors. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said it was "absolutely unacceptable" that Combs would try to interact with the panel during recent testimony. Sign up for the 'Diddy on Trial' newsletter for key developments and analysis "I was very clear there should be no facial expressions to the jury and I could not have been clearer," Subramanian said, adding that "there was a line of questioning where your client was nodding vigorously and looking at the jury." "There should be no efforts to have any interactions with this jury," he added. Subramanian asked defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo if this would happen again. "No, your honor, it's not going to happen again," Agnifilo replied. Subramanian added that if Combs doesn't comply, "I will give an instruction to the jury or it could result in the exclusion of your client from the courtroom." Courtroom artist Jane Rosenberg, who has had her eyes and binoculars on Combs for over a month, told NBC News that she has seen him making facial expressions both affirmatively and negatively depending on the testimony, and she has seen him attempting to interact with various members of the jury since the beginning of the trial. Testimony in Combs' trial in New York is in its fourth week. The music mogul has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty of even one, he could face a lengthy prison sentence. The judge's admonishment Thursday came before the jury returned from lunch. Combs, in an oversized cream sweater and khaki pants, had been extremely engaged with his defense team all day, passing notes and conferring with his lawyers. In the morning, he waved and blew a kiss to his mother, Janice Combs, right after proceedings began. And when one of his lawyers made objections before the jury came in, he nodded in affirmation. The testimony Thursday morning featured Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Combs' longtime girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, who was cross-examined about a 2016 incident in which Combs allegedly dangled Bongolan from a 17th-floor balcony. This article was originally published on
NBC News
14-05-2025
- NBC News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Cassie testifies she was blackmailed with 'freak off' sex videos
Where the sex trafficking trial stands Cassie Ventura returned to the stand today for more bombshell testimony as the government's highest-profile witness in the trail against Sean "Diddy" Combs. Combs' ex-girlfriend testified today that she was frequently physically abused by the rap mogul, suffered multiple medical issues as a result of constant "freak offs" — the drug-fueled orgies allegedly orchestrated by Combs — and that she was blackmailed with sex videos. The jury was shown security video showing Combs assaulting Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him. This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. Sign up for the ' Diddy on Trial ' newsletter for key developments and analysis.
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Every lawsuit and sex abuse allegation against Sean 'Diddy' Combs
Every lawsuit and sex abuse allegation against Sean 'Diddy' Combs Show Caption Hide Caption The controversial legacy of Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Here's what we know Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces federal sex crime charges. Here's what we know about his controversial legacy. Despite what happens at Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal sex-crimes trial, there's a mountain of civil lawsuits waiting for him. Diddy's excess-driven lifestyle has been a signature component of his persona, and now it appears central to his downfall. Many of the following alleged victims recall being given spiked drinks at his purportedly hedonistic soirees, including his infamous White Parties, alleged hotel "freak offs" as well as what should have been professional settings. Incidents allegedly took place during auditions for his artists' music videos and for his MTV reality series "Making the Band." Other accusers say Combs recorded the alleged assaults and shared the videos with others. The alleged victims range from children and teens to adults, seemingly in Combs' orbit by happenstance, or young men and women who sought to make inroads in the music industry, seeing association with the Bad Boy record executive as an opportunity to pursue their dreams, apparently quickly shattered. Others include shortterm and longterm romantic partners. Combs' alleged abuse of his partners may go as far back as his days at Howard University, when a fellow student recalled him beating a woman. Years later, his relationship with singer Cassie and his on-and-off romantic relationship with actress Kat Pasion may also show patterns of alleged abuse. Aside from an apology video following the release of security footage in which Combs is seen beating Cassie, the music mogul has denied all of the allegations and claimed the video has been altered. Four unnamed alleged victims, likely on the list thereon, are set to testify in his federal sex-trafficking trial, kicking off with opening statements May 12. The federal government has brought charges against Combs, including sex trafficking, which multiple victims affirm in their own allegations. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. To date, more than 70 lawsuits have been filed against Combs. In October, Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee announced he would represent 120 individual accusers. Alleged victims represented by Buzbee now account for about half of the lawsuits filed so far. Here is a complete (and developing) list of his accusers. Diddy on Trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom with USA TODAY as Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces sex crimes and trafficking charges. Subscribe to the newsletter. Cassie, Dawn Richard, actress Kat Pasion among alleged Diddy victims The following is a list of the people who have publicly accused Combs, from the first lawsuit filed by Cassie in November 2023 to the most recent suit in April 2025. The abuse is alleged to have taken place as early as 1991. How these New York City laws opened the door for Cassie and more to sue Diddy Diddy's star-studded parties were cultural extravaganzas: Inside the White Party All the anonymous Diddy accusers The extensive list of anonymous accusers includes alleged victims detailing assaults from over three decades, from 1991 to 2024: Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Edward Segarra, Brendan Morrow, Anna Kaufman, Jay Stahl, Pamela Avila, Naledi Ushe, and Anika Reed, USA TODAY
NBC News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
What you need to know about Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal trial
In the 1990s and 2000s, Sean 'Diddy' Combs reigned over American hip-hop. He produced chart-topping albums, launched an influential record label, recorded hit songs, inked lucrative branding deals and catapulted hip-hop into a worldwide cultural force. But over the last two years, Combs' empire has come crashing down amid a wave of sexual abuse and misconduct allegations. The scrutiny on the mogul reached an apex in September when he was indicted by federal prosecutors in a sweeping sex trafficking case. The case, United States v. Combs, goes to trial in downtown Manhattan this month. Combs has pleaded not guilty and vehemently denied wrongdoing. Here's what you need to know about the allegations, the charges, the defense and more. Sign up for the 'Diddy on Trial' newsletter for key developments and analysis What do prosecutors allege? The prosecution's case against Combs, 55, centers on 'elaborate and produced sex performances' known as 'freak offs.' Combs, prosecutors allege in their indictment, orchestrated marathon hotel room encounters involving heavy drug use and coerced sex. Combs 'abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,' prosecutors write in the 14-page indictment, which has been updated three times since September. 'Combs relied on the employees, resources and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled — creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice,' prosecutors allege. What are the charges? Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison; and two counts transportation to engage in prostitution, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. What does the defense say? Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him. In a statement in April, Combs' legal team described his accusers as 'former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion.' Who are the accusers? The federal case revolves around four alleged victims, identified in the indictment as 'Victim-1,' 'Victim-2,' 'Victim-3' and 'Victim-4.' They are all expected to testify during the trial. Combs' accusers have not been named publicly, but the allegations of Victim-1 track closely with those of his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer whose stage name is Cassie. In a civil lawsuit filed in November 2023, Ventura accused Combs of rape and repeated physical abuse spanning roughly a decade. The lawsuit was settled privately in a day without Combs admitting any wrongdoing. Ventura's allegations drew greater attention after CNN aired hotel surveillance video, recorded in 2016, showing Combs beating, kicking and dragging Ventura. The judge in the case has ruled the video can be shown during the trial as evidence. Combs' lawyers tried to get it excluded, arguing in part that it was 'wholly inaccurate' and altered — claims CNN has strongly denied. Who is the judge? The judge presiding over the trial is Arun Subramanian, who has been on the federal bench for about two years. He was nominated to the Southern District by President Joe Biden in 2022 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2023 in a 59-37 vote. (Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reportedly recommended Subramanian to Biden.) Combs' trial appears to be the most high-profile judicial assignment to date for Subramanian, who once clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before working at the white shoe Manhattan law firm Susman Godfrey. Who are Combs' lawyers? Combs' lead attorneys are no strangers to high-profile cases. Marc Antony Agnifilo, a veteran criminal defense lawyer, previously represented NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere, former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli. Agnifilo will be joined by Teny Geragos, one of the partners at his firm. She is 'particularly experienced in defending and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct,' the firm's website says. She is also the daughter of famed defense lawyer Mark Geragos, whose clients have included artists Michael Jackson and Chris Brown. The court docket lists five other attorneys on Combs' side, including Alexandra Shapiro and Brian Steel. Steel, who recently joined the defense team, represented rapper Young Thug in Georgia's longest-ever criminal trial. What is the trial schedule? The trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. It will be held five days a week, Monday through Friday. The first week of the trial will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET; after that, it'll go from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. ET. Where is Combs being held? Combs is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where the list of inmates includes Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down health insurance executive Brian Thompson. Combs has been held without bail since his arrest in September. Daniel Arkin Adam Reiss and Janelle Griffith contributed.
