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The prosecutors in Sean “Diddy”, the trial of sex trafficking and extortion of the combs chose to rest their case against the dishonored magnate of the music on Tuesday.
Diddy's defense team immediately moved for an acquittal. The lawyer Alexandra Shapiro argued that the government could not prove the charges against the rapper.
“There are, at best, a thin proof that any of the other employees participated,” Shapiro said before pointing out that “there is no evidence that none of them believed that it was sexual trafficking.”
Shapiro argued that the employees “cleaned the hotel rooms, but did not know anything about what happened, apart from them using baby oil, astroglide and drank alcohol, and maybe drugs.”
Diddy addressed Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday. When asked how he was, he told the judge: “I'm fine his honor” and “Thank you, you're doing an excellent job.”
The judge asked if Diddy understood that he had the right to testify or not testify, and if he had discussed his rights with his lawyer. Diddy replied: “Yes, thoroughly”, before admitting that it was “only my decision” not to testify in his trial of sexual crimes.
Diddy Defense's court strategy is a 'calculated risk': expert
A sketch portrays Sean “Diddy” and his defense team in the Federal Court on June 18. (Jane Rosenberg)
The jury spent the last six weeks listening to the testimony of the former Diddy friends, former employees and witnesses involved in the investigation. The Prosecutor's Office used the testimony to show that Diddy allegedly directed a criminal company through its businesses, including global combs.
Diddy Defense is not expected to call any witness in the sexual trafficking trial
According to the testimony, the rapper caused his personal assistants to establish hotel rooms for “Freak offs” or “hotel nights.” The former employees who took the stand also testified that they often acquired drugs for the rapper. These drugs, including MDMA, cocaine and ecstasy, were used by Diddy and their ex -girlfriend during the allegedly forced sexual sessions that involve male escorts, the Prosecutor's Office argued.
Cassie Ventura, who left with Diddy from 2007 to 2018, and the most recent rapper girlfriend took the position during the six weeks of testimony. Cassie and Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, said they were presented to “Freaks offs” or “Hotel Nights” shortly after starting their relationship with Diddy.
Shapiro said the evidence showed that Diddy tried to hide the nature of the sexual activity of his staff, whom he said, after they learned of violence, tried to help Cassie and not his employer.
She argued that the government could not try two elements to accuse Diddy of organized crime, that the person has to offer or give a bribe and also act with corrupt intention. The trial, Shapiro said, confirmed that Diddy did not try to bribe anyone to prevent information from the authorities. Each witness declared that Cassie did not want the police to involve, for sure that corroborated Cassie's refusal to call the officials responsible for enforcing the law.
Sean “Diddy” combs was arrested in September 2024. (Getty images)
The lawyer said that corrupt persuasion requires that there be awareness of irregularities, and she argued that both Mia and Jane's testimony did not satisfy those elements. He also argued that there was not enough evidence for kidnapping, and that Mia, his former assistant, supposedly faced verbal physical threats, but could have resigned. She wanted to continue working for Diddy.
Cassie and Jane testified that they were forced to have sex with male escorts while Diddy watched. Cassie said he took drugs to dissociate during the “fans.” Later, Jane told prosecutors that there were times that she felt coerced in “hotel nights” with Diddy and that Bad Boy Records founder still pays for both their legal fees and their rent.
The special national security agent Joseph Curiello continued his testimony on Monday as witness 34 and the end of the government.
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A court sketch shows text messages read during Sean “Diddy” combs. (Jane Rosenberg)
During his testimony, the United States attached prosecutor, Maurene Comey, showed the jury approximately 20 minutes of “Freak offs” footage. The images were only shown to the jury, due to their “explicit” nature.
The fifth week of testimony in the Diddy trial ended with the supposed “drug mule” of the rapper, Brendan Paul, taking the position.
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Diddy's defense team indicated that there will be no defense witnesses called after the Prosecutor's Office rests. Marc Agnifilo indicated in the Court on Monday that the legal team plans to introduce evidence to prove inconsistent statements.
Clock: Diddy not testifying at the federal trial can be a 'smart' movement, says the expert
The defense lawyers of the rapper initially said they would need approximately two weeks to claim their case, but told Judge Subramanian last week that they could rest before Tuesday or Wednesday.
Defense and prosecution agreed that closing arguments could begin on Thursday morning after an accusation conference to overcome the jury's instructions was celebrated on Wednesday.
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