The sixth week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial was shortened by a holiday and a juror’s illness. Prosecutors had almost concluded their case, but the short week means they’ll likely continue their presentation for one or two days of week seven, which begins on Monday (June 23).
RELATED: Five Down, More To Go! 7 MAJOR Moments From Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Fifth Week On Trial For Sex Trafficking & Racketeering
Sean Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges in the trial. Before week seven kicks off, here’s a refresher of four notable moments from Diddy’s sixth week on trial:
1. Jurors Watch Videos Of Diddy’s “Freak-Off” Sex Marathons
In the trial’s first five weeks, jurors repeatedly heard testimony about drug-fueled marathon sex events Cassie described as “freak-offs” and “Jane” described as “hotel nights.” But in the sixth week, jurors watched about 20 minutes of video recordings from the days-long events involving male sex workers.
RELATED: “Hundreds” Of “Freak Offs” Later, Who Are The Male Escorts Testifying & Named In Diddy’s Trial? (PHOTOS)
Prosecutors say the events were proof of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges. They attempted to show that Combs coerced his employees, associates, and even his girlfriends to recruit and arrange flights for sex workers. Additionally, he had his workers obtain drugs, stock hotel rooms with baby oil, lubricant, condoms, candles, and liquor, and deliver cash.
Meanwhile, defense lawyer Teny Geragos painted a different narrative in her opening statement. Geragos called the videos “powerful evidence that the sexual conduct in this case was consensual and not based on coercion.”
Prosecutors played about 2 minutes of the recordings before the defense team aired about 18 minutes of the videos. The public and the press could not observe whether the prosecutors or defense lawyers had the better arguments. That’s because Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that only he, the lawyers, and the jury could see the recordings or hear their sounds. No other exceptions.
According to the Associated Press, jurors largely kept their reactions muted while watching the tapes. However, several jurors seemed to look away and sometimes turn their bodies away from the screens playing the recordings directly in front of them. The court supplied earphones that jurors used to listen to the tapes, as did Sean Combs and lawyers.
2. Juror Gets The Boot For Suspected Lying & Agenda
Judge Arun Subramanian started week six by dismissing a juror who gave conflicting answers about whether he lived in New Jersey or New York. For context, New Jersey residents would not be permitted to sit on a New York federal jury.
The juror’s uncertainty convinced the judge that he threatened the integrity of the trial. Subramanian said the juror’s answers during jury selection and the week before he was excused “raised serious concerns as to the juror’s candor and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury.”
“The inconsistencies — where the juror has lived and with whom — go to straightforward issues as to which there should not have been any doubts, and the answers also go to something vital: the basic qualifications of a juror to serve,” the judge said.
A day before Subramanian ruled, defense lawyers argued fiercely against dismissal. Defense claimed that replacing the Black juror with a white alternate juror so late in the trial would change the diverse demographics of the jury and require a mistrial. It’s worth mentioning that the jurors are anonymous in Sean Combs’ trial.
It wasn’t the only issue regarding jurors for the week. Judge Subramanian warned lawyers they could face civil and criminal sanctions if another leak happened. The judge issued the warning after a media outlet reported about another juror answering questions in a sealed proceeding during week five. Subramanian did not dismiss the juror, and the leaker’s identity is unclear.
Additionally, the court canceled Wednesday’s proceedings after a juror reported “vertigo symptoms” on the way to the courthouse.
