The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is nearing its end, and the rapper took a second to thank Decide Arun Subramanian for his exhausting work.
Diddy, 55, stood up in court docket on Tuesday, June 24, to ship a message to Subramanian earlier than the day’s proceedings ended. “I wished to let you know thanks,” the disgraced mogul mentioned. “You’re doing an superior job.”
The Sean John founder then confirmed that he had “completely” spoken to his attorneys about his decision not to testify on his personal behalf. “That’s my choice, your honor,” Diddy mentioned. “That’s solely my choice.”
The prosecution rested its case in opposition to Diddy on Tuesday. He’s dealing with prices of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking and transportation to interact in prostitution. Diddy has pleaded not responsible to all prices and denied the entire allegations in opposition to him.
Diddy’s trial started on Might 5 with jury choice and has lasted greater than six weeks. In that interval, the federal government known as 34 witnesses, together with Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie, rapper Kid Cudi and former Danity Kane member Daybreak Richard.
After the prosecution rested its case, the protection requested an acquittal for Diddy, arguing that the federal government didn’t sufficiently show the fees.
“Home violence shouldn’t be intercourse trafficking, and the proof didn’t present [Cassie Ventura] was engaged in any sexual exercise due to violence,” Diddy’s legal professional Alexandra Shapiro argued.
Shapiro went on to say that the federal government didn’t show the racketeering cost, which was based mostly on the concept that Diddy used his staff to assist him commit crimes. In keeping with Shapiro, these staff “didn’t know a lot, if something, about what went on between Mr. Combs and his girlfriends in these lodge rooms, apart from they used loads of child oil and Astroglide … and maybe used medicine.”
The protection additionally addressed the allegation that Diddy was answerable for firebombing Cudi’s automotive, telling the court docket, “There’s no proof that Mr. Combs was concerned in that incident.”
Earlier than a break, the prosecution advised the choose that they’ll argue in opposition to the protection’s dismissals.
Closing arguments within the case are set to start later this week, and jury deliberation might start as early as Friday, June 27.
If convicted on even one cost, Diddy would face a prolonged jail sentence. The statutory minimal sentence for intercourse trafficking is 15 years, whereas transportation to interact in prostitution has a most sentence of 10 years. If convicted on the racketeering cost, he faces as much as life in jail.
If you happen to or somebody you realize has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you happen to or somebody you realize is experiencing home violence, please name the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assist. If you happen to or somebody you realize is a human trafficking sufferer, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.