The sixth week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ intercourse trafficking trial was shortened by a vacation and a juror’s sickness. Prosecutors had virtually concluded their case, however the brief week means they’ll doubtless proceed their presentation for one or two days of week seven, which begins on Monday (June 23).
RELATED: 5 Down, Extra To Go! 7 MAJOR Moments From Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Fifth Week On Trial For Intercourse Trafficking & Racketeering
Sean Combs, the founding father of Dangerous Boy Leisure, has pleaded not responsible to intercourse trafficking, transportation to have interaction in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy expenses within the trial. Earlier than week seven kicks off, right here’s a refresher of 4 notable moments from Diddy’s sixth week on trial:
1. Jurors Watch Movies Of Diddy’s “Freak-Off” Intercourse Marathons
Within the trial’s first 5 weeks, jurors repeatedly heard testimony about drug-fueled marathon intercourse occasions Cassie described as “freak-offs” and “Jane” described as “resort nights.” However within the sixth week, jurors watched about 20 minutes of video recordings from the days-long occasions involving male intercourse employees.
RELATED: “Tons of” Of “Freak Offs” Later, Who Are The Male Escorts Testifying & Named In Diddy’s Trial? (PHOTOS)
Prosecutors say the occasions have been proof of intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy expenses. They tried to indicate that Combs coerced his staff, associates, and even his girlfriends to recruit and organize flights for intercourse employees. Moreover, he had his employees get hold of medicine, inventory resort rooms with child oil, lubricant, condoms, candles, and liquor, and ship money.
In the meantime, protection lawyer Teny Geragos painted a distinct narrative in her opening assertion. Geragos referred to as the movies “highly effective proof that the sexual conduct on this case was consensual and never based mostly on coercion.”
Prosecutors performed about 2 minutes of the recordings earlier than the protection group aired about 18 minutes of the movies. The general public and the press couldn’t observe whether or not the prosecutors or protection legal professionals had the higher arguments. That’s as a result of Decide Arun Subramanian dominated that solely he, the legal professionals, and the jury might see the recordings or hear their sounds. No different exceptions.
In keeping with the Related Press, jurors largely saved their reactions muted whereas watching the tapes. Nonetheless, a number of jurors appeared to look away and typically flip their our bodies away from the screens enjoying the recordings instantly in entrance of them. The court docket provided earphones that jurors used to hearken to the tapes, as did Sean Combs and legal professionals.
2. Juror Will get The Boot For Suspected Mendacity & Agenda
Decide Arun Subramanian began week six by dismissing a juror who gave conflicting solutions about whether or not he lived in New Jersey or New York. For context, New Jersey residents wouldn’t be permitted to sit down on a New York federal jury.
The juror’s uncertainty satisfied the choose that he threatened the integrity of the trial. Subramanian stated the juror’s solutions throughout jury choice and the week earlier than he was excused “raised severe considerations as to the juror’s candor and whether or not he shaded solutions to get on and keep on the jury.”
“The inconsistencies — the place the juror has lived and with whom — go to easy points as to which there mustn’t have been any doubts, and the solutions additionally go to one thing very important: the fundamental {qualifications} of a juror to serve,” the choose stated.
A day earlier than Subramanian dominated, protection legal professionals argued fiercely in opposition to dismissal. Protection claimed that changing the Black juror with a white alternate juror so late within the trial would change the various demographics of the jury and require a mistrial. It’s price mentioning that the jurors are nameless in Sean Combs’ trial.
It wasn’t the one challenge concerning jurors for the week. Decide Subramanian warned legal professionals they might face civil and felony sanctions if one other leak occurred. The choose issued the warning after a media outlet reported about one other juror answering questions in a sealed continuing throughout week 5. Subramanian didn’t dismiss the juror, and the leaker’s identification is unclear.
Moreover, the court docket canceled Wednesday’s proceedings after a juror reported “vertigo signs” on the best way to the courthouse.