Sean Combs’ protection crew doesn’t name any witnesses, rests in beneath half-hour : NPR

Sean Combs’ protection crew rested its case in beneath half-hour in the present day (June 24). Combs — who has been reprimanded by Decide Arun Subramanian for nodding at jurors whereas his protection attorneys cross-examine authorities witnesses — didn’t take the stand.

The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul has remained principally silent over the practically seven weeks of trial proceedings. On Tuesday afternoon, he stood to reply a number of questions from Decide Subramanian relating to his proper to testify in his personal trial. “I am doing nice, your honor,” Combs instructed the decide. “I have been desirous to let you know thanks, you are doing a superb job.”

Subramanian requested Combs whether or not he had mentioned taking the witness stand along with his attorneys and whether or not he had make a decision on his personal. Combs confirmed he opted to not testify. “That’s my determination, your honor,” he stuttered. “That’s solely my determination. I imply, it is my determination with my attorneys.”

The dialogue got here after Combs’ protection legal professional Alexandra Shapiro moved for acquittal on all 5 fees Combs faces: two counts of intercourse trafficking, two counts of transportation for prostitution and one rely of racketeering conspiracy. Shapiro argued that the federal government, which rested its case in opposition to Combs earlier within the afternoon, failed to fulfill the burden of proof. Prosecutors have accused Combs of working a felony enterprise that facilitated and hid abuse for many years. He has pleaded not responsible to all the fees.

For a month and a half, Combs sat amongst his 9 attorneys in a decrease Manhattan federal courtroom as greater than two dozen witnesses who embrace ex-girlfriends, former workers and legislation enforcement brokers testified in opposition to him. His protection attorneys, then again, took about 25 minutes to current their case.

“Sean Combs is a sophisticated man, however this isn’t a sophisticated case,” protection legal professional Teny Geragos mentioned throughout opening arguments of the trial.

The transient protection of the Combs crew largely underscored a recurring theme that started with opening statements and continued all through its cross-examinations throughout the federal government’s case: “unconventional” but consensual relationships between empowered adults that have been marked by jealousy, not coercion.

Whereas lots of key occasions within the prosecution’s case will not be disputed — together with an assault on then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles lodge in 2016 caught on video and different such situations of violence — Combs’ crew has painted a distinct image of their which means. Protection attorneys have admitted that Combs could be responsible of home violence and bodily assault, however say he didn’t sexually coerce or visitors anybody.

With out calling any witnesses, the protection opted to confess proof with a view to make their case. They learn a number of textual content messages of Ventura telling Combs she beloved and appreciated him, together with one message from 2017 during which she mentioned she was completely happy to see how a lot their relationship had grown over time. Protection attorneys then offered a doc stating minor inconsistencies within the testimony of a number of authorities witnesses, together with Capricorn Clark, a former worker of Combs who testified beneath the pseudonym “Mia” and Bryana Bongolan — all three ladies have been near Cassie Ventura throughout her relationship with Combs and corroborated her claims of violence and management. With that, the protection rested its case.

All through cross-examination, the protection confirmed and requested Ventura about numerous textual content messages during which she seems to be serving to plan and coordinate the so-called “freak-offs.” Ventura responded that Combs anticipated her to arrange and take part in these encounters, and she or he feared for her security if she did not comply along with his calls for. The 2016 lodge safety video, she mentioned, was taken whereas she was making an attempt to flee a sexual efficiency that had turned violent. Combs might be seen within the video arising behind her as she approaches an elevator foyer, hitting and kicking her and making an attempt to pull her again within the route of their lodge room.

Throughout opening arguments, Combs’ protection attorneys mentioned the mogul was typically concerned in a number of romantic relationships without delay, which stoked intense jealousy and competitors between his girlfriends. The protection has argued this within the case of each of Combs’ former companions who’ve accused him of intercourse trafficking: Cassie Ventura, who dated the mogul till 2018, and “Jane,” a lady who was concerned with Combs till his arrest and indictment in September of 2024. (She testified utilizing a pseudonym to guard her id.) Jane, who instructed the court docket that Combs launched “lodge nights” early into their relationship, mentioned Combs pressured her to take part in these nights even after she instructed him she didn’t need to have intercourse with different males.

Based on Combs’ protection, each Ventura and Jane agreed to Combs’ “unconventional” sexual fantasies as a result of they wished to develop nearer to him and deepen their respective relationships. Throughout cross-examination of witnesses, they’ve asserted that the inclusion of different males in these actions was a part of a “swingers’ life-style” that unfurled within the privateness of Combs’ bed room. Whereas prosecutors have gone by way of nice lengths to explain the main points of what Combs requested on these nights — quite a few bottles of child oil, candles, purple lighting and particular sorts of lingerie outfits for his girlfriends — Combs’ protection attorneys emphasize that none of this stuff quantity to unlawful actions.

“You aren’t right here to guage him for his sexual preferences,” Geragos instructed the jury initially of the trial.

Towards the top of the federal government’s case, prosecutors confirmed movies that gave the impression to be of Combs and Ventura on these nights. Additionally they confirmed specific movies of Jane. Jurors have been instructed to put on headphones, and privateness guards have been carried out on their pc screens. The press and public weren’t allowed to look at the reveals, which have been admitted as sealed proof.

Whereas prosecutors confirmed brief clips lasting between 30 and 60 seconds, protection legal professional Teny Geragos requested to play longer picks of the movies, a few of which lasted as much as 5 minutes. The protection has argued that the movies are strong proof of prepared sexual actions between consenting adults, and that these have been loving but poisonous relationships that don’t add as much as the fees Combs faces.

Closing arguments are anticipated to start on Thursday.