Dramatic Jury Change Marks Day 28 of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial
The high-profile sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs saw a significant development on its 28th day, as a juror was dismissed and replaced by an alternate. This marks the first change to the jury panel since the proceedings began six weeks ago in Manhattan federal court. The decision came after prosecutors raised concerns about the juror’s honesty during selection, specifically regarding his residency.
The dismissal resulted in a Black, middle-aged male juror being replaced by an older, white man, a 57-year-old architect from Westchester. Combs’ defense attorneys swiftly objected, arguing the change was a “veiled” attempt by the prosecution to alter the racial composition of the jury. They even suggested the dismissal was part of a broader effort to “destroy one of the most successful Black men in American history” and accused prosecutors of improperly focusing solely on Combs’ personal life.
However, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian firmly rejected the defense’s arguments, stating it was “inappropriate to consider race” in the decision. He emphasized that the dismissal was based purely on the juror’s “lack of candor” about his residency, noting that conflicting answers about living in the Bronx versus New Jersey raised “serious concerns” about whether he had “shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury.” Judge Subramanian added that Diddy “has not got the right to a boutique jury” tailored to his race and denied the defense’s request for a mistrial. The judge concluded that nothing the juror could say at that point would restore his credibility.
Video Evidence of Alleged ‘Freak Offs’ Shown to Jury
Beyond the jury shuffle, Monday’s proceedings included the presentation of graphic video evidence. For the first time, jurors were shown excerpts of videos depicting alleged orgies described by witnesses as “freak-offs,” “hotel nights,” or “wild king nights.” While the jury had previously seen still images, the video evidence offered a new level of detail.
The footage included short clips (20-30 seconds) from an alleged “sex marathon” at the Trump International hotel in New York City from October 2012. According to records, Combs’ ex-girlfriend and key witness, Cassie Ventura, allegedly participated alongside male escorts identified as ‘The Punisher’ and Dave. Although the original videos were reportedly much longer (11 and 39 minutes), only portions were shown to the jury wearing headphones, with faint music and groaning reportedly audible in the courtroom. Several female jurors reportedly reacted with visible discomfort while viewing the explicit material. Despite efforts by news organizations to gain access for public reporting, Judge Subramanian ordered the videos to remain sealed.
Connecting the Dots: Staff, Business, and Alleged Crimes
Prosecutors continued using “summary” witnesses – a federal agent and a government paralegal – to present evidence linking Combs’ alleged criminal enterprise to his staff and business finances. This strategy aimed to build their racketeering conspiracy case, particularly as key individuals like Combs’ former chief of staff Kristina Khorram and security guard Damian Butler were not called to testify.
Evidence presented included text messages between Khorram, described as Combs’ “right hand,” and his travel arranger, Jessica Ruiz, discussing flights for a former girlfriend identified as “Jane” and an escort named Paul or Jules. Other texts involving Khorram discussed arranging events, cash payouts ($4,000), and needing supplies like baby oil. Khorram’s messages also referenced terms like “Wild King mode active” and “Gucci bag active,” the latter allegedly referring to a pouch Combs kept containing various drugs like ketamine, MDMA, and cocaine. Troubling messages from both Cassie Ventura and “Jane” to Khorram were also shown, detailing alleged abuse, including being “dragged by her hair” and experiencing a “dark and humiliating lifestyle,” with Jane also testifying about threats from Combs to release sex tapes. Khorram also texted Diddy that honesty was his “kryptonite” and reportedly photographed Jane’s text conversations with Combs.
Financial records were also highlighted via summary witnesses. Credit card statements showed Sean Combs used his American Express to fund separate flights for Ventura and a male escort to New York in December 2009. A bank statement from Bad Boy Entertainment Worldwide showed a significant payment of $369,279 covering trip costs and other expenses, which prosecutors argue demonstrates how Combs used his business to facilitate alleged sex trafficking through interstate travel. This aligns with earlier testimony from Combs’ former chief financial officer that his business and personal expenses were often intertwined.
Testimony from “Mia,” a former assistant, was read into the record via summary witnesses, detailing outreach from bodyguard Damian Butler after Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit became public. Mia testified this repeated contact, allegedly urging her to talk to Combs, “terrified” her, supporting the prosecution’s claim that bodyguards pressured witnesses into silence.
Witness Accounts Detail Events and Dynamics
Beyond the summaries, previous witness testimony provided further depth. “Jane,” a former girlfriend who testified for roughly a week, described feeling pressured into “hotel nights” despite reluctance, leaving her feeling “sore, tired, exhausted.” She also recounted witnessing a physical altercation with Combs in early 2024. Under cross-examination, the defense sought to portray Jane as a willing participant who helped coordinate events and enjoyed dressing up for “king nights,” emphasizing these events occurred on Combs’ personal time. She reportedly described a “twisted NBA roleplay” during some events and saw a famous rapper (whose name was withheld) participating in a similar scenario. Jane also testified about Diddy’s threats to release sex tapes he possessed, describing him as having an “evil-ass psychotic bipolar” episode and mentioning she was heavily drugged in the tapes.
Former assistant Jonathan Perez testified about the demanding nature of preparing for “king nights” with little notice, including sourcing drugs for Combs and setting up rooms with supplies like extensive lubricant and red lights. He described the cleanup process, mentioning slipping multiple times due to the amount of lube used. Perez also recounted finding a sex tape featuring “Jane” with another man on a company iPad in Combs’ home.
Escort Shawn Dearing, known as ‘The Punisher,’ reportedly broke his silence to corroborate Cassie Ventura’s account of being forced into “elaborately choreographed sex marathons.”
Raid Findings and What’s Next
Testimony from Homeland Security Special Agent Andre LeMon, who participated in the raid on Combs’ Los Angeles mansion in March 2024, detailed findings including numerous firearms, armor-piercing ammunition, an unusually large quantity of lubricants (900 bottles of Astroglide, 200 bottles of baby oil), and ketamine found in envelopes marked with “K.” The defense noted the unique quantity of baby oil found during the raid.
With prosecutors expected to rest their case as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, the defense began previewing their strategy on Monday. They indicated they plan to call as many as three witnesses starting Friday, including Vashta Dunlap, a former vice president at Bad Boy. It remains undecided whether Combs himself will take the stand in his defense. The trial is now in its sixth week, with the defense case anticipated to last two weeks before closing arguments and jury deliberations begin. Combs has pleaded not guilty and faces a potential life sentence if convicted on all counts.
Combs has appeared engaged in court, reportedly passing notes to his defense team and observing testimony closely, though a prosecutor noted him “nodding emphatically” during certain witness statements, which the defense disputed. The proceedings continue to draw significant attention as the complex case unfolds.
