In the trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs (55), the defense draws its last card and demands an acquittal – and that before the jury’s decision.
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Not enough evidence?
On the 29th day of the trial, Diddy’s attendance team made an application for acquittal all along the line, which, according to paragraph 29 of the US Criminal Procedure Code, is the legal application for a mandatory application. Defender Alexandra Shapiro brought the following argument: The public prosecutor’s office had not presented a conclusive picture and no reliable evidence. She explained that a criminal system, as the indictment assumes, was “nothing left”, quotes the “picture”. She described the central allegation of a criminal conspiracy as not durable.
In addition, according to the “Bild”, she pointed out that the assistants of Combs had little knowledge of the allegations and “were not knowingly involved in criminal acts”. “There is no evidence that someone of them believed that it is about sex trade.”
Another point of the defense: The time dimension of the evidence was questioned, since the evidence presented allegedly would only cover the years 2016 to 2024, but not the alleged period of two decades.
Process paused
The legal application for acquittal now lies with judge Arun Subramanian, who has not yet made a decision, but ordered a break in the trial for Wednesday, June 25th. On June 26, the final plates will start, while the jury is expected to go into advice from Monday, June 30th. A judgment is therefore not expected before July 1st.
Sean Combs appeared personally in court. When judge Subramanian asked him if he did without a statement and how he was doing, Combs replied via “Bild”: “I am great, you honor. And I wanted to thank you, you did an excellent job.” The judge is said to have replied: “Thank you, I appreciate that.” Combs also confirmed that his testimony was his own decision together with his lawyers.
Defense is based on text messages
The defense waived stuff: inside. Evidence that have been presented are mainly text messages between Combs and his former partner, the singer Cassie. The news was primarily concerned with common “freak-off” planning and that Cassie was cited her love several times.
The five charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs at an overview
The indictment accuses Sean “Diddy” Combs five serious allegations:
- Racketeering conspiracy (criminal network, rico violation)
- Sex trading: forced to sex through violence/manipulation (cassie)
- Sex trading: equal allegation (Jane)
- Transport to promote prostitution: Organization of travel to enable sexual acts against payment (Cassie)
- Transport to promote prostitution: same accusation (Jane)
The defense draws a clear line: “No plot, no intention, no basis for conviction.”
If judge Subramanian follows the application for acquittal, this could mean the end of the procedure, even before the jury comes to its judgment.