Diddy trial replace right now: Jury begins deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ intercourse trafficking trial

Barely an hour into jury deliberations Monday at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal intercourse trafficking trial, the foreperson alerted the court docket that one other juror was having hassle following the choose’s directions.

“We’re involved (the juror) can’t comply with your honor’s directions,” the foreperson wrote in a observe simply after 12:30 p.m.

They began deliberating fees that might put the hip-hop mogul in jail for all times round 11:30 a.m.

Jury deliberations start | Diddy trial reside updates

Decide Arun Subramanian proposed sending a observe again to the jury asking the panel to make clear its considerations. Prosecutors requested for time to learn via related case legislation earlier than the choose took additional motion.

Combs’ attorneys proposed that the choose remind the jury that they’ve solely simply begun deliberating and to renew doing so. If there are additional issues, protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo prompt, the jury can have the foreperson ship one other observe.

“We will at all times ratchet it up. We won’t ratchet it down,” Agnifilo stated.

After greater than two hours of authorized directions from Subramanian, the jury of eight males and 4 girls headed behind closed doorways to deliberate.

They’re sifting via seven weeks of generally graphic and emotional testimony in regards to the rap, trend and actuality TV impresario ‘s propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, together with drug-fueled intercourse marathons dubbed ” freak-offs ” or “resort nights.”

Jurors are being supplied with a laptop computer loaded with all the reveals proven in court docket, together with textual content messages, pictures and movies of the sexual encounters on the coronary heart of the case.

As he despatched the jury to deliberate, Subramanian advised the 5 alternate jurors to stay on standby in case they’re wanted to fill in on the principle jury.

About 10 minutes into deliberations, the jury despatched a observe indicating they’d accomplished their first order of enterprise: electing a foreperson.

Combs confronted his household and supporters, who have been within the courtroom gallery, all who have been bowing their heads in prayer – his members of the family holding palms with one another. As they end, all of them applauded, and finally left the courtroom.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible to federal fees of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking – relating to 2 of his ex-girlfriends – and two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly intercourse employees throughout state traces.

In closing arguments final week, federal prosecutors and Combs’ protection group took their final photographs at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founding father of Dangerous Boy Information.

“The defendant used energy, violence and worry to get what he wished,” Assistant U.S. Lawyer Christy Slavik stated. “He thought that his fame, wealth and energy put him above the legislation.”

She stated that he used his “shut inside circle and a small military of private workers, who made it their mission to fulfill the defendant’s each need, promote his energy and defend his status in any respect prices.”

Protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo countered, “This is not about crime. It is about cash.” He famous that considered one of Combs’ accusers within the legal case additionally sued him in civil court docket.

“He isn’t a racketeer. He isn’t a conspirator to commit racketeering. He’s none of these items. He’s harmless. He sits there harmless. Return him to his household, who’ve been ready for him,” the lawyer advised jurors.

In all, 34 witnesses testified, headlined by Combs’ former girlfriends Cassie – the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura – and ” Jane,” who testified beneath a pseudonym. Each girls stated he typically was violent towards them. Cassie stated he pressured her into tons of of sexual encounters with paid male intercourse employees whereas Jane recounted quite a few “resort nights.”

Jurors additionally noticed now-infamous safety digital camera video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles resort in 2016 and clips from movies of sexual encounters.

Combs selected to not testify, and his attorneys did not name any witnesses of their protection case. His attorneys elected as an alternative to problem the accusers’ credibility throughout prolonged cross-examination questioning.

The protection has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, however his attorneys keep that the intercourse acts have been consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs’ private life and that he is finished nothing to warrant the fees in opposition to him.