Sean Combs Trial: Key ‘Right Hand’ Absent, Evidence Central

The high-profile criminal trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy has captivated observers. While witnesses like former girlfriend Cassie Ventura and ex-assistants have taken the stand, one figure loomed particularly large despite never being called to testify: Kristina Khorram, Combs’ longtime chief of staff.

Khorram, often referred to as Diddy’s “right hand,” served closely with Combs for over a decade. Her name surfaced so frequently during the proceedings that a defense lawyer for Combs suggested the government’s case appeared to “hinge largely” on her alleged behind-the-scenes actions. Combs himself highlighted her importance in a 2021 Facebook post, calling her his “most loyal lieutenant” and stating he didn’t know how he’d “function without her.”

Despite her central role in discussions, neither the prosecution nor the defense ultimately called Khorram to the witness stand before resting their cases. This unexpected absence, particularly given the trial’s sometimes tedious six weeks of testimony and sudden race to the finish, likely left jurors wondering about her role and why she didn’t testify.

Why Wasn’t Diddy’s Chief of Staff Called? Legal Experts Weigh In

Legal analysts offered several potential reasons for the tactical decision by both sides to forgo Khorram’s direct testimony.

Prosecution’s Risk Assessment: Former assistant U.S. attorney Alyse Adamson suggested that prosecutors might have interviewed Khorram but found calling her “too risky” even under subpoena. While she was known for loyalty to Combs, her “truth” might be complex. Adamson noted Khorram could have potentially depicted attempts to de-escalate situations with Combs rather than encouraging them, which could complicate the prosecution’s RICO case requiring a “unified purpose in furtherance of a corrupt enterprise.” Granting immunity also might have been a non-starter if she planned to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Defense Strategy: Experts speculated the defense’s choice not to call Khorram was also tactical. By resting their case quickly with no witnesses, Combs’ lawyers may have aimed to imply the prosecution’s case was weak enough to warrant simply relying on reasonable doubt, potentially highlighting Khorram’s absence in closing arguments as a critical missing piece.
The “Wild Card” Factor: Brad Bailey, a former federal prosecutor, posited that both sides might have viewed Khorram as a “wild card.” He suggested prosecutors might have feared she could offer exculpatory testimony beneficial to the defense, while the defense might have worried that what she allegedly saw or did as Combs’ assistant could be useful to the prosecution. This mutual apprehension often leads to a theoretically key witness not being called by either side.

Evidence Presented Through Others: Khorram’s Role Defined

Despite her silence and physical absence from the courtroom witness stand, Khorram’s alleged involvement was presented through evidence obtained from her devices and the testimony of other witnesses.

When Homeland Security agents raided Combs’ homes last year, Khorram was reportedly by his side when he was detained at Miami Opa-Locka Airport. Investigators seized two cell phones linked to her and a laptop found in her luggage. The contents of these devices – including contacts, texts, screenshots, and documents – were admitted into evidence and discussed extensively during the trial through other individuals’ testimony.

Prosecutors used this digital evidence to support their allegations that Combs sex-trafficked former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and “Jane,” as well as facilitated the alleged bribery of hotel security guards to cover up video evidence of his assault on Ventura.

Key Instances Linking Khorram to Allegations Presented in Court:

Testimony and evidence specifically mentioned Khorram’s alleged involvement in several critical moments:

Hiding Activity: A text exchange between Combs and Jane from April 2023, admitted into evidence, showed Combs asking Jane to arrange a hotel threesome with a male escort and explicitly stating, “I can’t have KK know. Damn.”
Awareness of “Freak-Offs”: Despite Combs’ text, prosecutors alleged Khorram knew about activities involving Jane. Former assistant Jonathan Perez testified he reported a “freak-off” video (showing Jane and an escort with Combs visible) found on an iPad to Khorram in 2022. He also claimed Khorram secretly recorded a later conversation with him about the video.
Texts About Threats: Jane texted Khorram in December 2023, stating Combs allegedly threatened to share intimate videos of her. “He said that he would expose me and send them to my child’s father. He has been bothering me for two months,” Jane’s text to Khorram read.
Ventura’s Daily Contact: Cassie Ventura testified she communicated with Khorram “every day” during the latter part of her relationship with Combs. Ventura stated Khorram contacted her directly after the infamous InterContinental Hotel incident in March 2016.
Alerted to Balcony Incident: A screenshot found on one of Khorram’s devices reportedly showed Ventura texting her in September 2016 after Combs allegedly choked and dangled Ventura’s friend off a 17th-floor balcony, alerting Khorram to the disturbing event.
Alleged Bribery Involvement: Hotel security guard Eddy Garcia testified that Khorram repeatedly contacted him after the March 2016 InterContinental assault, seeking the video footage. Garcia stated she appeared in the lobby looking for him and later called his personal phone, putting Combs on the line. Garcia also testified Khorram was present at the meeting where Combs allegedly handed over $100,000 in cash to cover up the video. Images of the security guards’ IDs were found on Khorram’s phone, and a copy of the non-disclosure agreement signed by Garcia was on her laptop. Prosecutors argued Khorram was “acting in furtherance of the conspiracy” by helping broker this alleged bribery deal.
Aftermath of Ecstasy Incident: Jane testified that Khorram helped place her in a shower after she had a bad reaction to ecstasy Combs allegedly gave her in Turks and Caicos in 2021.

Named in Civil Suits and Public Denial

Khorram’s association with the allegations became public before the criminal trial through civil lawsuits filed against Combs starting in early 2024. Music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, who also sued Combs, reportedly compared Khorram to Ghislaine Maxwell. Former assistant Phillip Pines also named her as a co-defendant in a December 2024 lawsuit, alleging she supervised him during periods he was dispatched to furnish drugs and other items for Combs’ “wild king nights.” Pines claimed Khorram allegedly warned him of “repercussions” if he spoke about witnessing Combs allegedly kick a woman in 2021.

Khorram broke her silence in March 2024, issuing a written statement calling the allegations against her “disturbing and unthinkable.” She denied condoning, aiding, or abetting sexual assault, drugging anyone, or being a bystander to rape. She stated the “false allegations” were causing “irreparable and incalculable damage” to her reputation and expressed confidence they would be proven untrue.

As the trial concluded without direct testimony from Kristina Khorram, her alleged role remained defined by the evidence presented through digital records and the accounts of other witnesses, highlighting her unique and central, yet absent, position in the serious charges against Sean Combs. Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.