1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: What's up, everyone, and welcome to another episode of The 2 00:00:03,399 --> 00:00:06,040 Diddy Diaries. In this episode, we're going to pick up 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:09,279 where we left off in the last episode, and that's 4 00:00:09,359 --> 00:00:14,279 with Count three sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion 5 00:00:14,759 --> 00:00:19,559 Victim number two, Jane Doe. Count three is essentially the 6 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,800 same offense as Count two, but relating to a second woman, 7 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,399 Victim two, who has been publicly identified only by the 8 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:30,559 pseudonym Jane. Jane's a former long term girlfriend of Colmes 9 00:00:30,679 --> 00:00:33,880 who dated him from twenty twenty one into his arrest 10 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,560 in twenty twenty four. The charge here alleges that Colmbs 11 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:41,920 likewise forced or cores Jane into commercial sex acts again 12 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:45,960 the freak off encounters with paid participants against her will. 13 00:00:46,759 --> 00:00:50,200 The legal elements are identical. The government must prove Colms 14 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:54,439 abuse Jane to engage in a commercial sex act through threats, violence, 15 00:00:54,759 --> 00:00:59,399 or other coercion. Although Jane's relationship with Colms began many 16 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:04,040 years after after Cassie's, her testimony indicated a very similar pattern, 17 00:01:04,519 --> 00:01:08,879 which the prosecution argues shows Comb's mo remained the same. 18 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:14,159 So what kind of evidence did the prosecution provide? Well. 19 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:17,239 Jane testified during weeks four and five of the trial, 20 00:01:17,439 --> 00:01:21,159 providing a second, first hand account that largely echoed Cassie 21 00:01:21,239 --> 00:01:25,599 Ventura's story. Her testimony is critical in showing that Cassie's 22 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:31,120 experience was not an isolated case. Rather, Combs allegedly repeated 23 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:35,400 his course of tactics with another victim, strengthening the inference 24 00:01:35,719 --> 00:01:38,680 that it was intentional and part of his standard behavior, 25 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:43,519 and according to prosecutors, Jane confirmed that Colmbs expected her 26 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:47,159 to participate in frequent freak offs also dubbed hotel knights 27 00:01:47,439 --> 00:01:51,519 during their relationship. She described sex parties in the same terms, 28 00:01:52,079 --> 00:01:56,439 days long, drug fueled encounters with multiple male escorts brought 29 00:01:56,439 --> 00:02:01,200 in to perform sex acts. Initially, Jane's said she participated 30 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,120 to please Combs because she was trying to satisfy her 31 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:08,280 boyfriend's desires. However, as time went on, she began to 32 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:12,439 feel obligated and unable to say no. A major reason 33 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:16,479 was financial dependence. Jane testified that in twenty twenty three, 34 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:20,759 Combs began paying her rent on an expensive apartment where 35 00:02:20,759 --> 00:02:23,319 she lived with her young son. She feared that if 36 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,840 she refused the freak offs, Combs would cut off his support, 37 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:29,680 and that she and her child would lose their home. 38 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:34,000 This is a powerful example of coercion by fraud or 39 00:02:34,039 --> 00:02:39,639 exploitation of vulnerability, using financial control to compel sexual compliance, 40 00:02:40,199 --> 00:02:44,439 attempts to refuse, and violence. Jane told the jury that 41 00:02:44,479 --> 00:02:48,000 she repeatedly told Colmbs she no longer wanted to participate 42 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:52,000 in the Orgies. Each time he allegedly dismissed her concerns 43 00:02:52,199 --> 00:02:55,599 and continued to pressure her. Her breaking point came in 44 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:58,719 twenty twenty four, when an argument over the Freak Offs 45 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:02,240 escalated and Calm assaulted her, leaving her with a black eye. 46 00:03:03,719 --> 00:03:07,120 This incident of violence served to instill fear that refusing 47 00:03:07,199 --> 00:03:11,960 him would result in harm classic coersion. While we don't 48 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:15,199 have independent video of that assault, Jane's testimony is that 49 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:18,479 it happened, and it mirrors the pattern of physical abuse 50 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,039 seen with Cassie. It shows the jury that Combs was 51 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,400 willing to get violent to enforce his sexual demands with 52 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:29,759 Jane as well. Like Cassie, Jane explained that Colmb's influence 53 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,479 over her was not purely physical. He had cultivated and 54 00:03:33,599 --> 00:03:36,960 emotional hold. Even as she grew to dread the freak Offs, 55 00:03:37,039 --> 00:03:39,719 she still loved him, and he used that affection against her. 56 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,800 For example, by paying her bills, he made her feel 57 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:46,960 indebted and controlled. She indicated that at times she convinced 58 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,639 herself to go along with his wishes out of love 59 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:53,680 or fear of losing him, which underscores how complex and 60 00:03:53,759 --> 00:03:57,719 insidious the coersion was. At the back of Jane's account, 61 00:03:57,719 --> 00:04:01,400 Prosecutors pointed to evidence such as text messages and emails. 62 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:06,039 On cross examination, the defense introduced some of Jane's texts 63 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:10,879 where she spoke about the freak offts in seemingly positive terms. However, 64 00:04:11,039 --> 00:04:15,599 prosecutors would highlight those texts in context. Jane explained she 65 00:04:15,719 --> 00:04:19,839 sometimes took the initiative to arrange the encounters herself, contacting 66 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,240 certain male escorts, for instance, so that she could have 67 00:04:23,319 --> 00:04:26,680 some control over who was involved. In other words, her 68 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:29,560 planning wasn't because she truly wanted them to happen, but 69 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,759 because they were going to happen regardless. She preferred to 70 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:36,240 choose escort she was comfortable with rather than be surprised 71 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:40,600 by someone. Combs picked that nuance is crucial. It reframes 72 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:45,839 her apparent complicity as a survival mechanism. Prosecutors also showed 73 00:04:45,879 --> 00:04:50,959 evidence of Colm's financial arrangements for Jane. Bank records leased 74 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:55,000 documents indicating that COLMS paid her rent, and that corroborates 75 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,680 her story about why she felt unable to defile theme. 76 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:02,680 It turns the abstrac idea of financial coercion into something 77 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:06,600 concrete the jury can see. Jane's testimony doesn't have the 78 00:05:06,639 --> 00:05:10,639 external eyewitness cooperation the way Cassies did, since her relationship 79 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:14,680 was more recent and perhaps more private. However, Mia, the 80 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,759 former assistant, testified that she observed colmb's abuse and sexual 81 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:23,240 misconduct during this timeframe as well. Mia didn't specifically talk 82 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:26,839 about Jane by name, but she described colmb's assaulting female 83 00:05:26,879 --> 00:05:31,519 employees and being generally coercive. If Mia was working for 84 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,560 Colm's while he was with Jane, her account of Colm's 85 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:39,120 behavior adds credibility to Jane's claims. Also, kid Cutty's testimony 86 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:42,879 about colmb's jealousy and violence back in twenty eleven the 87 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:46,120 car bombing incident suggests that as late as twenty twenty 88 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:50,839 one twenty twenty four, Colmbs still had the same dangerous tendencies, 89 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:55,879 which makes Jane's allegations more plausible, so had the defense 90 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:59,600 Rebut this the defense approach to Jane's count was very 91 00:05:59,639 --> 00:06:04,720 similar to Cassie's, with some additional angles given Jane's unique circumstances. 92 00:06:05,959 --> 00:06:09,319 The defense attorneys underscored that Jane stayed with Combs up 93 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:12,600 to the bitter end, and remarkably, Colmbs was still paying 94 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:17,120 her rent and even her legal fees as of her testimony. 95 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,360 They confronted Jane with the fact that she professed love 96 00:06:20,399 --> 00:06:24,000 for Combs on the stand and is effectively being financially 97 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:27,399 supported by him during the trial. The implication that they 98 00:06:27,439 --> 00:06:29,800 want the jurors to draw is that Jane might have 99 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,360 ulterior motives or divided loyalties if Comb's truly trafficked her 100 00:06:34,399 --> 00:06:38,519 wise he paying her bills. The defense insinuated that maybe 101 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:42,680 Jane was testifying under pressure from the government while still 102 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:46,480 being kept by Colmbs, a confusing dynamic that could raise 103 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:52,600 questions about her credibility or level of victimization. The defense 104 00:06:52,639 --> 00:06:56,199 also used Jane's own admissions on cross to suggest that 105 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:59,920 she was a willing participant. They noted that Jane sometimes 106 00:07:00,079 --> 00:07:03,399 arrange the freak offs herself, choosing the men and scheduling 107 00:07:03,439 --> 00:07:07,000 the sessions. This, they argue, is not what a corus 108 00:07:07,079 --> 00:07:10,680 victim would do. Rather, it's what a consenting partner and 109 00:07:10,759 --> 00:07:14,759 an adventurous sex life might do. They also cited messages 110 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,480 where Jane spoke about the freak offs without complaint, possibly 111 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:24,600 even with enthusiasm, for example, thanking Colmbs for a wild night, etc. 112 00:07:25,839 --> 00:07:28,879 And because Jane testified that at first she went along 113 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:32,800 to please them, Ie started consensually, the defense emphasized that 114 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:35,839 there was no clear a point where it stopped being consensual, 115 00:07:36,319 --> 00:07:40,519 suggesting it's a gray area being unfairly criminalized in hindsight 116 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:44,439 and similar to Cassie. The defense highlighted that Jane never 117 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:47,000 went to the police or told outsiders she was being 118 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:51,040 forced until after combs arrest. In fact, Jane's cooperation with 119 00:07:51,079 --> 00:07:54,720 the government began once Colmbs was jailed and could no 120 00:07:54,759 --> 00:07:58,279 longer support her. The defense implies they want jurors to 121 00:07:58,279 --> 00:08:01,399 think Jane might be retaliated or ensuring she stays on 122 00:08:01,439 --> 00:08:04,319 the gravy train. Since Colms is still paying for her lawyers, 123 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:08,920 they hinted she might tailor her testimony favorably to avoid losing. 124 00:08:08,959 --> 00:08:14,720 That it's a delicate insinuation. Practically, Jane had little incentive 125 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,439 to lie against Colmbs if he's supporting her. But the 126 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:20,680 defense angle might be that she was so unafraid of 127 00:08:20,759 --> 00:08:23,839 him that she can even admit love and take his money, 128 00:08:24,079 --> 00:08:28,759 meaning she never viewed herself as a victim. The defense 129 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:32,440 also argue that Jane's claims are less substantiated by independent 130 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:36,240 evidence than Cassie's. There's no widely known video of Combs 131 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:41,399 attacking Jane, unlike Cassie's twenty sixteen video. Jane's black eye 132 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,799 incident relies on her word, and Jane, by her own admission, 133 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,120 took active steps in the freak offs, which muddies the narrative. 134 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:53,000 The defense leaned into these differences to separate Jane's count 135 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:57,120 from Cassie's. Injuror's minds, maybe you believe Cassie, but Jane 136 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:02,080 is a different story. Now, Jane's testimony essentially establishes the 137 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:05,720 second instance of the same crime as count two. If 138 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:08,440 the jury found Cassie was trafficked, they may be inclined 139 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,480 to believe Jane as well, given the strike in parallels 140 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:16,159 in their accounts. The prosecution has argued that Jane's case 141 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:20,480 shows Colmb's pattern continued. He didn't stop abusing women after Cassie. 142 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:24,480 He found a new girlfriend and did it again. Legally, 143 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,559 eage victim's case stands on its own merits, but evidence 144 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:32,159 of Cassie's abuse can indirectly bolster Jane's by showing a 145 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:36,480 propensity or a common scheme, especially since the defense claims 146 00:09:36,519 --> 00:09:41,360 these women consented. Showing a pattern can Rebut that that said, 147 00:09:41,639 --> 00:09:45,120 Jane's situation has some complicating factors. The fact that she 148 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:49,159 remained financially entangled with Colmbs even as she testified could 149 00:09:49,159 --> 00:09:52,960 confuse the jury. Some jurors might wonder if Jane is 150 00:09:53,039 --> 00:09:57,159 testifying freely or under some influence, though one could argue 151 00:09:57,279 --> 00:10:00,720 if Colmbs is paying her lawyers that if any, would 152 00:10:00,759 --> 00:10:03,919 incline her to favor him, making her testimony against him 153 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:08,039 even more credible. The defense use of Jane's own behavior 154 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:13,519 arranging encounters positive texts presents a challenge. It introduces doubt 155 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:17,919 about her mindset. From a legal standpoint, The core elements 156 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:21,039 appear to be present for Jane as well. She engaged 157 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,840 in commercial sex acts the freak offs with paid escorts. 158 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:27,960 She says she did so under coercion, financial threats, and 159 00:10:28,039 --> 00:10:32,320 actual violence. The jury will have to parse whether her 160 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:35,720 acts were truly under duress. One key point in Jane's 161 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:39,200 favor is that she explicitly testified she tried to stop 162 00:10:39,399 --> 00:10:43,440 any one letter That strong evidence of non consent going forward. 163 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,840 Her fear of losing housing for her and her child 164 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:51,120 is exactly the kind of vulnerability traffickers exploit. Federal law 165 00:10:51,159 --> 00:10:56,480 recognizes serious harm, and trafficking can be financial or psychological harmed, 166 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:01,480 not just physical. If jurors believes, they may view Jane 167 00:11:01,519 --> 00:11:06,000 as another victim who perhaps hasn't fully disentangled emotionally, financially 168 00:11:06,039 --> 00:11:10,159 from an abuser. That actually rings true to real life patterns. 169 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:14,960 Victims often have conflicted feelings and sometimes even ongoing ties. 170 00:11:15,799 --> 00:11:20,480 The defense succeeded in illustrating Jane's conflicting feelings, but those 171 00:11:20,519 --> 00:11:23,639 conflicts do not negate coercion. In fact, they can be 172 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:28,360 evidence of how deep the manipulation ran. Now what do 173 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:31,120 I think? The likelihood of a conviction on count three 174 00:11:31,159 --> 00:11:35,360 is well moderate the high. The evidence for Jane's count 175 00:11:35,399 --> 00:11:39,399 is persuasive, but slightly less clear cut than Cassie's. Some 176 00:11:39,519 --> 00:11:42,120 jurors might be unsure what to make of Jane still 177 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:46,080 accepting Comb's money. Others might reason that colmb's continued financial 178 00:11:46,159 --> 00:11:50,840 support is itself a continuation of the control or perhaps 179 00:11:50,879 --> 00:11:54,039 even hush money. If the jury has already accepted that 180 00:11:54,159 --> 00:11:57,200 colmb's traffic Cassie, they may find it easy to believe 181 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:01,200 he did the same to Jane, especially since Jane's testimony 182 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:05,879 echoed Venturas so closely, including being pressured into freak offs 183 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:09,919 and feeling unable to refuse the defense. Consent arguments are 184 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:14,480 similar retreads. If those failed to convince jurors regarding Cassie, 185 00:12:14,519 --> 00:12:18,960 they likely won't succeed with Jane either. However, their iserusk 186 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,039 the jury could split their verdict. If they perceive a difference, 187 00:12:22,759 --> 00:12:25,759 they might convict on Cassie's count but hesitate on Jane's 188 00:12:26,039 --> 00:12:28,559 if they think that Jane was more of a consensual 189 00:12:28,639 --> 00:12:32,519 partner who later had regrets. This could happen if, say, 190 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,840 Jane's demeanor or admissions on the stand, left some jurors 191 00:12:35,879 --> 00:12:39,960 doubting her level of coercion. Still, the safer bet is 192 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,600 that the jury will see both women as victims of 193 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:46,679 the same pattern, given the accumulative evidence of colmb's course 194 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:51,080 of tactics and the consistency between Cassie and Jane's accounts. 195 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:53,519 And that's why I think that a conviction on count 196 00:12:53,519 --> 00:12:56,440 three is quite likely unless jurors get hung up on 197 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:00,639 the peculiar fact that Colmes was financially helping Jane to trial, 198 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:05,200 which is an unusual wrinkle. On balance, the prosecution's thorough 199 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:09,519 presentation likely mitigated that, making a guilty verdict on count 200 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:14,200 three a strong possibility alongside count two. All right, we're 201 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:16,080 going to wrap up right here and in the next 202 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,519 episode dealing with the topic, we're going to talk about 203 00:13:18,519 --> 00:13:24,440 Count four, Transportation to engage in prostitution Victim one, Cassie. 204 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:26,919 All of the information that goes with this episode can 205 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:30,639 be found in the description box. What's up, everyone, and 206 00:13:30,759 --> 00:13:34,720 welcome to another episode of the Diddy Diaries. As we 207 00:13:34,799 --> 00:13:37,519 continue to barrel towards a verdict in the Shaw Didty 208 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:40,759 Combs trial, we're going to continue taking a look at 209 00:13:40,799 --> 00:13:44,360 where things currently stand now that week six has come 210 00:13:44,399 --> 00:13:49,840 to its completion. Count number four, Transportation to Engage in 211 00:13:49,879 --> 00:13:55,440 prostitution Victim one, Cassie. Count four charges Combs under the 212 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:59,120 Federal Man Act US Code, Section twenty four to twenty 213 00:13:59,159 --> 00:14:02,879 one with transporting an individual across day lines with the 214 00:14:02,879 --> 00:14:08,039 intent that they engage in prostitution or other unlawful sexual activity. 215 00:14:08,879 --> 00:14:12,159 In this case, victim one again Cassie Ventura, is the 216 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:15,960 individual he's alleged to have transported for such purposes. In 217 00:14:16,039 --> 00:14:20,480 every day terms, prosecutors say homes flew or brought Cassie 218 00:14:20,559 --> 00:14:23,200 to different states so that she could take part in 219 00:14:23,279 --> 00:14:28,399 his orchestrated sexual encounters that involve prostitution. The law doesn't 220 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:32,799 require that the victim herself be a prostitute. It's sufficient 221 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:36,720 if the transportation was for the purpose of any person, 222 00:14:37,039 --> 00:14:40,759 the victim or someone else engaging in a commercial sex 223 00:14:40,799 --> 00:14:45,039 act that's illegal. Since COM's freak offs involved paid sex 224 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:48,120 workers and often took place in various cities New York, 225 00:14:48,159 --> 00:14:52,200 Los Angeles, Miami, et cetera, any interstate travel involved can 226 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:56,120 trigger this statute. Essentially, this count is a more specific 227 00:14:56,279 --> 00:14:59,480 aspect of the trafficking scheme. It focuses on the act 228 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:03,159 of moving caut around to facilitate the sex parties, which 229 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:06,000 is a crime on its own, even apart from coercion. 230 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:10,919 And to prove this count, the prosecution has presented evidence 231 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:14,440 of Combs and Cassie's travel, itineraries and planning out of 232 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:19,000 state sexual encounters. Several pieces of evidence stand out, including 233 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:23,720 the following testimony on travel for freakofs. Cassie testified that 234 00:15:23,799 --> 00:15:26,039 Combs often like the stage of the freak offs in 235 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:30,200 exotic or at private locations, not just at home. For instance, 236 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,879 she said Combs would book luxury hotel suites and other 237 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:37,799 cities specifically to hold these marathon sex events. She recounted 238 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:41,360 one instance where Colmbs took her to the La Hermitage 239 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:44,159 hotel in Beverly Hills and had the room prepared with 240 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:47,320 a kinky setup a blow up pool filled with lubricant 241 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,639 and oil for one of those freak off sessions. That 242 00:15:50,759 --> 00:15:55,039 implies that they traveled from New York, where they primarily lived, 243 00:15:55,159 --> 00:15:59,440 to California for the purpose of that sexual encounter. Cassie 244 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,679 also meant trips to Miami in Las Vegas, where similar 245 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:07,679 activities occurred. The Guardian reported that Cassie said Colmbs often 246 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,919 booked rooms at the La Hermitage Beverly Hills to host 247 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,639 freak offs, which directly supports that he transported her to 248 00:16:14,759 --> 00:16:17,799 engage in those acts. We also heard from former colmb's 249 00:16:17,799 --> 00:16:21,159 assistants and staff who corroborated that travel was a big 250 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,399 part of executing colmb's directives. Brendan Paul and David James 251 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:28,720 testified that they or other team members would book flights, 252 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:32,320 charter jets, a, reserved blocks of hotel rooms in various 253 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:37,080 states whenever Colmes was planning a rendezvous party. They indicated 254 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:40,080 that women and male sex workers were flown in as needed. 255 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:44,039 For instance, James described being present when Colmbs decided on 256 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:46,840 a whim at four a m. In Los Angeles to 257 00:16:46,919 --> 00:16:50,639 fly somewhere or do something extreme, showing travel was constantly 258 00:16:50,759 --> 00:16:56,120 used to facilitate Combs's wishes. The prosecution entered travel records, 259 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:59,080 such as flight logs or hotel receipts, into evidence to 260 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,240 show specific days were Combs to Cassie out of state 261 00:17:02,759 --> 00:17:07,039 and that those trips coincided with freak off events. We 262 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:11,799 also add testimony from mal escorts such as Charet Punisher Hayes. 263 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:16,400 The mal escort indicated that he was sometimes transported across 264 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:20,119 day lines for these assignments. He met Colmbs in Cassie 265 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:22,759 initially in New York, but he worked for them up 266 00:17:22,759 --> 00:17:26,200 to a dozen times, and some of those times were 267 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:30,279 in other states. Hayes and another escort testified to being 268 00:17:30,319 --> 00:17:33,240 flown to a location to meet Combs in Cassie. That's 269 00:17:33,279 --> 00:17:35,920 evidence that Combs caused people to cross day lines for 270 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:39,599 sexual encounters. Even if it was the escort of traveling 271 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:42,720 rather than Cassie, the law could apply. Because Colmbs is 272 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:46,440 transporting an individual. The statue can apply to either the 273 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:49,680 person who will engage in the act or someone who 274 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:53,640 will facilitate it. However, given the indictments phrasing, it seems 275 00:17:53,759 --> 00:17:58,839 they're focusing on transporting the women themselves. Also, we had 276 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:03,200 another example ented was the flight on colmb's private jet 277 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:07,400 to Las Vegas in twenty fifteen where colmb's assaulted Cassie midflight. 278 00:18:08,039 --> 00:18:11,599 George Kaplan, an assistant, testified on that flight that Colmbs 279 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,920 brutally attacked Cassie in the bedroom of the plane, with 280 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:19,880 Cassie screaming, isn't anybody seeing this? That incident shows that 281 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:24,559 while literally in transit between states, Colmbs was violently enforcing control, 282 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:27,279 and the reason for that trip was a party or 283 00:18:27,319 --> 00:18:30,720 event in Las Vegas, and of course another freak off. 284 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,319 Given the pattern, so it can be inferred that the 285 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:36,880 very purpose of flying to Las Vegas may have been 286 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:40,119 connected to the sexual exploitation, even if just to have 287 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:44,279 her accompany him to an event where things happened, and 288 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:48,400 in another instance, Kid Cutty's testimony indirectly relates. He said 289 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,720 that Colmbs flew to Los Angeles from New York after 290 00:18:51,839 --> 00:18:54,680 learning of Cassie's involvement with Cutty, which led to the 291 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:58,720 break in and arson attempt. While not prostitution related, it 292 00:18:58,799 --> 00:19:01,960 shows Colmbs did not hesitate to physically move across the 293 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:07,039 country in response to issues around his sexual possession of Cassie, 294 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:10,400 and the core evidence on this count is logistical details 295 00:19:10,759 --> 00:19:13,960 showing that Combs and Cassie frequently traveled together and that 296 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:18,880 these travels were tied to comb sexual plans. Prosecutors highlighted, 297 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:22,319 for example, that Cassie accompanied Colmbs on his tours and 298 00:19:22,359 --> 00:19:26,880 his business trips, but unlike typical girlfriends, her travel itinerary 299 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:31,839 often coincided with freak offs arranged at the destination Cassie's 300 00:19:31,839 --> 00:19:35,240 own words, she testified that Combs directed these freak offs, 301 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,960 including flying in mal sex workers and taking her on trips, 302 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:43,599 specifically for these marathons. Now, of course, Diddy's defense argued 303 00:19:43,759 --> 00:19:46,599 that while Combs and Cassie traveled a lot, the travel 304 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:50,000 wasn't for the purpose of prostitution. Instead, they frame it 305 00:19:50,079 --> 00:19:53,200 as yes, Shawn and Cassie flew to Los Angeles often, 306 00:19:53,599 --> 00:19:57,000 he has homes and businesses there. Any sexual activity that 307 00:19:57,079 --> 00:20:00,640 occurred was just a byproduct, not the reason for the trip. 308 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:05,279 They emphasized that Colmbs is a globe trotting celebrity and 309 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,640 Cassie was his girlfriend who naturally traveled with him. In 310 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:11,759 other words, the flights were for business meetings, music events, 311 00:20:11,759 --> 00:20:16,640 award shows, vacations, not explicitly to engage in sexual acts. 312 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:22,759 They also contended that Cassie's participation wasn't prostitution. She wasn't 313 00:20:22,799 --> 00:20:25,759 being paid to have sex. She was Colm's partner, and 314 00:20:25,839 --> 00:20:28,200 even though the mal escorts were paid, the defense might 315 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:31,680 claim that Colmbs didn't transport Cassie with the intent for 316 00:20:31,759 --> 00:20:35,799 her to engage in prostitution, mostly transported the male escorts, 317 00:20:36,079 --> 00:20:39,440 who are the ones being paid for sex. However, this 318 00:20:39,519 --> 00:20:43,759 is a bit of a semantic dodge, but a possible argument. Basically, 319 00:20:43,799 --> 00:20:47,079 if anyone was committing prostitution, it was the male participants, 320 00:20:47,079 --> 00:20:49,880 and Colms didn't need to transport them with Cassie. They 321 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:55,480 can separately. However, since the initial indictment combined multiple victims, 322 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:58,680 in one Man Act count and then was separated. It 323 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:02,000 appears the transportation count as taylor to a particular woman. 324 00:21:02,759 --> 00:21:07,279 That suggests prosecutors have the evidence that Combs specifically transported 325 00:21:07,319 --> 00:21:11,759 Cassie for a sexual purpose. Now the defense, they responded 326 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,359 that even if he had a sexual motive, that it 327 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:18,400 wasn't the sole motive. They tried to raise doubts like 328 00:21:18,599 --> 00:21:21,480 Combs took Cassie to LA for a music video shoot 329 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:23,920 and while they were indulged in a freak off, but 330 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:28,000 that's not the same as transporting for the purpose of prostitution. 331 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:32,759 If the jurors think that the travel had plausible, legitimate purposes, 332 00:21:33,079 --> 00:21:36,839 they could be unsure if the statute applies. The defense also, 333 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,640 of course, falls back on consent. If they maintained Cassie 334 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:44,240 consented to the sexual activity, they might argue there was 335 00:21:44,279 --> 00:21:48,000 no unlawful activity intended, aside from the technical fact that 336 00:21:48,079 --> 00:21:51,640 hiring escorts is illegal, But consent isn't a defense to 337 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:55,559 the Man Act charge if prostitution occurred, so that likely 338 00:21:55,599 --> 00:21:59,079 won't fly legally. Still, it might confuse a lay jur 339 00:21:59,559 --> 00:22:02,160 if they I think everyone went willingly on the trip. 340 00:22:02,519 --> 00:22:05,400 The defense could thus encourage a view that these were 341 00:22:05,519 --> 00:22:09,480 just consensual adult trips and the law shouldn't criminalize it. 342 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:13,759 Now listen, for count four, the prosecution does not need 343 00:22:13,799 --> 00:22:17,839 to prove force or coercion, only that Combs knowingly transported 344 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:21,559 Cassie across state lines with the intent that she engaged 345 00:22:21,599 --> 00:22:25,759 in sexual act for which someone could be charged here prostitution. 346 00:22:26,759 --> 00:22:29,720 Given all the evidence of planning freak offs in various states, 347 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:33,440 this seems well supported. If the jury believes that Combs 348 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:37,200 to Cassie to say, California, specifically to carry out freak 349 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:41,359 coffs involving paid sex workers, that's a textbook Man Act violation, 350 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:45,200 and the trickiest element is intent. The jury must find 351 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:48,160 that one of COM's dominant purposes in the travel was 352 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:54,640 to elicit sexual activity. However, prosecutors have tied timelines together, 353 00:22:55,039 --> 00:22:58,559 for example, showing messages like Holmes telling an assistant to 354 00:22:58,559 --> 00:23:01,559 fly Cassie out to Miami and also arrange for some 355 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:05,359 male dancers to be there, and such evidence as presented 356 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:11,000 is very compelling. But even absent those smoking gun messages, 357 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,720 the pattern of travel and sex can speak for itself. 358 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:17,400 If every time Colmbs went to lay a freak off, 359 00:23:17,599 --> 00:23:20,519 ensued jurors can infer that was part of the reason 360 00:23:20,599 --> 00:23:24,839 for going The jurors can also use common sense. Combs 361 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:27,880 had residences in multiple states and could have done these 362 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:31,039 acts anywhere, but evidence shows he moved people around to 363 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:34,599 avoid detection a form of strategy to do freak offs privately, 364 00:23:35,079 --> 00:23:38,720 and multiple articles and reports noted that colmb's team would 365 00:23:38,839 --> 00:23:41,799 arrange flights for sex workers and set up hotel rooms 366 00:23:41,799 --> 00:23:44,799 out of town. And then we heard the testimony backing 367 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,359 it all up, which shows the calculated use of interstate 368 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:52,759 travel to facilitate these sex crimes. So what's the likelihood 369 00:23:52,799 --> 00:23:55,440 of a conviction on count four? Well, in my opinion, 370 00:23:55,680 --> 00:23:59,720 hi compared to the more complex trafficking counts, the man 371 00:23:59,759 --> 00:24:03,640 act count is relatively straightforward. If the jury has already 372 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:07,799 convinced Combs ran freak offs and that male prostitutes were involved, 373 00:24:08,039 --> 00:24:11,119 then any proven instance of Comb's taking Cassie to another 374 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,799 state to do that would fulfill this count. Cassie and 375 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:19,400 others testimonies give multiple instances. For example, Cassie being flown 376 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:22,319 to a hotel in another state specifically for a freak 377 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:25,119 off on her birthday is direct evidence of that crime. 378 00:24:26,039 --> 00:24:30,200 Also recall Cassie's twenty eighteen break up rate occurred in 379 00:24:30,240 --> 00:24:33,880 Los Angeles. After she moved there, Colmbs flew out and 380 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:37,319 assaulted her. Although not prostitution per se, it shows he 381 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:41,880 was crossing states to engage in sexual domination. The defense 382 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:45,480 attempts to cast travel as innocuous might not hold weight 383 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,519 given how clearly these journeys were tied to sexual episodes. 384 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:53,240 Jurors who accept the broader narrative will likely find that 385 00:24:53,279 --> 00:24:57,000 colmb's interstate travel with Cassie was part and parcel of 386 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:01,559 that exploitation. Thus, a conviction on count four seems very likely. 387 00:25:01,599 --> 00:25:04,720 If the jury is inclined to convict on the related 388 00:25:04,759 --> 00:25:08,200 sex trafficking count count number two, it would be consistent 389 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:12,160 for them to hold him accountable for using interstate channels 390 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:15,119 to commit those acts. All right, So that's gonna do 391 00:25:15,160 --> 00:25:17,680 it for count number four. In the next episode, we're 392 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:20,400 gonna wrap this bad boy up with count number five. 393 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:24,119 All of the information that goes with this episode can 394 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:27,599 be found in the description box. What's up, everyone, and 395 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:31,920 welcome to another episode of The Diddy Diaries. In this episode, 396 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:35,200 we're gonna continue on with our endgame series and wrap 397 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:38,759 this bad boy up with count number five Transportation to 398 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:43,519 engage in prostitution Victim number two Jane. Count five is 399 00:25:43,559 --> 00:25:47,079 the Man Act, a charge corresponding to Victim two Jane. 400 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:50,680 It alleges Combs transported Jane across stay lines for the 401 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:55,880 purpose of engaging in an unlawful sexual activity prostitution. This 402 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:58,759 is essentially a mirror of Count four for the second victim, 403 00:25:59,039 --> 00:26:02,599 requiring proof that that Combs moved Jane between states with 404 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:06,319 intent that she participate in commercial sex acts i e. 405 00:26:06,440 --> 00:26:10,720 The freak offs with paid participants, and much like with Cassie, 406 00:26:10,759 --> 00:26:14,920 the prosecution showed that Colmb's relationship with Jane also involved 407 00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:19,480 significant interstate travel explicitly linked to the sexual hotel nights. 408 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:23,920 Jane testified that she accompanied Colmbs on many trips as 409 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:26,880 his girlfriend, and that the freak offs occurred in multiple cities. 410 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:29,640 Given that she was with them from twenty twenty one 411 00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:33,960 to twenty twenty four, Comb's business and appearances and perhaps 412 00:26:34,039 --> 00:26:37,799 hiding from New York scrutiny post Cassie suit, might have 413 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:41,319 had them traveling. Jane's statement that freak offs were also 414 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:45,039 called hotel nights point directly to hotels that were away 415 00:26:45,240 --> 00:26:48,759 from their home base. She described going to different places 416 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:54,160 like Miami, La Atlanta, or overseas anywhere. The principle is 417 00:26:54,200 --> 00:26:56,960 the same. If she was pressured into a freak off 418 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:01,400 on those trips, that would indicate that the travel facilitated 419 00:27:01,519 --> 00:27:05,839 the prostitution. Now the prosecution, they use the same pattern 420 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:09,880 of evidence in staff testimony as for Cassie, Comb's crew 421 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:12,680 arranged for mal escorts to show up during Jane's trips 422 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:18,119 as well. That's documentation. Colmb's paid for Jane's travel, and 423 00:27:18,160 --> 00:27:22,720 the messages sent between them clearly show the intent. Even 424 00:27:22,799 --> 00:27:25,720 Jane's rent arrangement implies that he moved her to New 425 00:27:25,799 --> 00:27:28,200 York if she wasn't from there, or kept her able 426 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:32,359 to travel with them by covering expenses. Less directly, but 427 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:35,880 the fact that Comb's kidnapped Clark to confront ky Cutty 428 00:27:36,039 --> 00:27:41,039 shows a precedent that he physically transports people when motivated 429 00:27:41,079 --> 00:27:44,680 by a personal sexual jealous issue. Now it's a different context, 430 00:27:44,839 --> 00:27:47,640 but it underscores that interstate travel was part of his 431 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:51,599 toolkit in controlling his relationships. Now, haw do his diddy 432 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:55,079 defend something like this? Well? For Jane's man at count, 433 00:27:55,079 --> 00:27:59,079 the defense arguments mirrors those four Cassis, perhaps even with 434 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:01,759 a bit more to say, since Jane joined them in 435 00:28:01,839 --> 00:28:05,839 a period where Combs was already facing more scrutiny. They 436 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:09,240 asserted that Combs and Jane traveled as any couple might, 437 00:28:09,279 --> 00:28:13,480 for work or leisure, not specifically to commit crimes. Jane 438 00:28:13,559 --> 00:28:17,440 sometimes arranged freak offs, and the defense argued that implies 439 00:28:17,480 --> 00:28:21,119 if any travel happened around those events, it was her intention, too, 440 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:25,839 muddying the idea that Colmbs solely transported her for it. 441 00:28:27,079 --> 00:28:29,160 They also brought up the fact that Jane is from 442 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:32,839 out of state. Originally that Jane lived in California and 443 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:35,000 Colmbs flewort in New York to live with them when 444 00:28:35,039 --> 00:28:38,960 they started dating, and they asserted that that was normal relocation, 445 00:28:39,359 --> 00:28:43,880 not trafficking. However, that relocation itself is done to keep 446 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:47,920 her as his companion in sexual events could actually fulfill 447 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:51,759 the law. They also tried the angle that Combs paying 448 00:28:51,799 --> 00:28:54,880 her rent in New York was simply him caring for 449 00:28:54,920 --> 00:28:59,799 his girlfriend, not a bribe to travel or do anything illegal. Essentially, 450 00:28:59,839 --> 00:29:03,119 the defense lumped all of that into their narrative. There 451 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:06,279 was no sex crime conspiracy, There was no unlawful intent 452 00:29:06,559 --> 00:29:10,359 behind any travel, so what's the likelihood of a conviction 453 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:13,720 here on count five? While the evidence for count five 454 00:29:14,039 --> 00:29:17,279 rides on whether the jury finds Jane's freak off participation 455 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:20,839 to be tied to travel, if they believe Jane's account 456 00:29:20,839 --> 00:29:24,759 that she was pressured into hotel sessions and that these 457 00:29:24,799 --> 00:29:28,599 occur during trips or required moving her around, then intent 458 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:32,160 is shown. Even Jane's statement that she feared losing her 459 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:36,279 home suggests that even the provision of housing, which presumably 460 00:29:36,559 --> 00:29:39,680 was in a particular location he wanted her, was part 461 00:29:39,799 --> 00:29:42,799 of controlling where she would be for him. And here's 462 00:29:42,839 --> 00:29:46,960 one scenario colms moving Jane to New York from elsewhere, 463 00:29:47,119 --> 00:29:50,000 paying a rent with the expectation should be available for 464 00:29:50,039 --> 00:29:54,000 freak offs, that initial act itself could be seen as 465 00:29:54,039 --> 00:29:58,839 transporting for prostitution enticement to reside somewhere for sex. The 466 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:02,799 indictment uses trans insportation broadly, Enticing or moving someone to 467 00:30:02,839 --> 00:30:07,559 a location for illicit sex also counts. Given how closely 468 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:12,720 Jane's testimony paralleled Cassie's, it's likely the jury similarly parallel 469 00:30:12,759 --> 00:30:16,359 their verdicts. If they convict on Cassie's man act, they'll 470 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:20,880 likely do so on Jane's absent of specific doubt. One 471 00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:24,839 possible wrinkle since Jane's credibility might be a bit more contested. 472 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:28,319 If a jury disbelieves I'm of Jane's story, they might 473 00:30:28,359 --> 00:30:31,920 hesitate on her accounts. But if they credit her account 474 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:35,319 of being pressured on multiple state trips, then count five 475 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:39,240 is made out. Now, what's the likelihood of a conviction 476 00:30:39,319 --> 00:30:42,839 on count five transportation of Jane? I would say that 477 00:30:42,880 --> 00:30:46,480 it's moderate to high, and it should track closely with 478 00:30:46,559 --> 00:30:50,119 count three's outcome. If the jury convicts on sex trafficking Jane, 479 00:30:50,599 --> 00:30:54,400 they almost certainly will convict on transporting her for a prostitution, 480 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:57,799 because the latter is even more clear cut subset of 481 00:30:57,839 --> 00:31:02,759 the behavior. Conversely, if they had doubt about Jane's victimization, 482 00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:07,640 they might acquit on both counts three and five. Four. However, 483 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:12,000 as things stand after six weeks, the prosecution strengthened Jane's 484 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:16,279 story by aligning it with cassies and providing corroboration, and 485 00:31:16,319 --> 00:31:20,359 the defense didn't produce any bombshells to discredit Jane aside 486 00:31:20,359 --> 00:31:24,960 from her complicated feelings. Therefore, assuming the jury leans toward 487 00:31:25,079 --> 00:31:29,079 Jane was coerced, they will likely also agree that Colmbs 488 00:31:29,119 --> 00:31:34,039 intentionally moved her across jurisdictions to facilitate the coerse sex acts, 489 00:31:34,119 --> 00:31:38,720 constituting a man act violation. So where does this all 490 00:31:38,839 --> 00:31:42,960 leave us? Six weeks into the trial, the prosecution has 491 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:46,319 delivered a compelling and richly detailed case that Sean did 492 00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:50,119 he Comb's engaged in a sustained pattern of sexual exploitation 493 00:31:50,559 --> 00:31:54,400 and violence, rising to the level of federal crimes. Each 494 00:31:54,440 --> 00:31:57,519 count in the indictment addresses a different facet of this 495 00:31:57,599 --> 00:32:01,880 alleged conduct, and for each the evidence is so far substantial. 496 00:32:02,839 --> 00:32:06,480 Racketeering conspiracy count one, the government unveiled what looks like 497 00:32:06,519 --> 00:32:11,160 an entire ecosystem of criminal conduct around comes with multiple 498 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:14,559 independent acts from freak offs to an arsin to hush money, 499 00:32:14,759 --> 00:32:18,599 fitting together to form a cohesive narrative of an illicit enterprise. 500 00:32:19,079 --> 00:32:22,640 And with a prosecution closing its case, the defense has 501 00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:25,319 no more chances to break the credibility of the witnesses, 502 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:28,960 So the prosecution appears to be meeting it's every burden. 503 00:32:29,079 --> 00:32:33,000 En Rico jurors have heard enough to identify at least two, 504 00:32:33,440 --> 00:32:37,640 indeed many more, predicate crimes Combs agreed to commit with others. 505 00:32:38,440 --> 00:32:41,759 The defense betrayal of Combs as merely flawed but not 506 00:32:41,799 --> 00:32:45,599 a racketeer, has been undermined by the sheer, extremity and 507 00:32:45,680 --> 00:32:49,359 coordination of the acts described. The likelihood of conviction on 508 00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:53,599 count one currently seems strong, though not guaranteed. It will 509 00:32:53,599 --> 00:32:56,359 depend on whether the jurors view the evidence as a 510 00:32:56,400 --> 00:33:01,319 single criminal scheme or just a series of personal incidents. 511 00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:06,160 Sex trafficking counts two and three. The testimony a Cassie 512 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:10,200 Ventura in Jane has been deeply damaging to calms. They 513 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:13,559 presented as to women from different periods, unknown to each other, 514 00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:19,200 telling almost the same harrowing story that symmetry greatly bolsters credibility. 515 00:33:19,839 --> 00:33:24,720 The prosecution has effectively shown force en coercion through beatings, 516 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:29,240 threats control of finances and careers, which is exactly what 517 00:33:29,319 --> 00:33:33,880 the sex trafficking law targets. The defense elicited that these 518 00:33:33,880 --> 00:33:38,200 women had moments of consent or even enjoyment, but in 519 00:33:38,279 --> 00:33:41,960 context those seem like coping mechanisms rather than true freedom. 520 00:33:42,599 --> 00:33:45,920 Provided the jury understands that consent can be negated by 521 00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:49,559 fear and abuse, the government has likely met its burden 522 00:33:49,799 --> 00:33:54,440 of proving Calms course these victims into commercial sex convictions 523 00:33:54,480 --> 00:33:57,480 on both counts two and three appear likely if the 524 00:33:57,559 --> 00:34:01,799 jurors believe the women and the corroborating wa witnesses. Only 525 00:34:01,839 --> 00:34:05,119 if jurors are swayed by the defense characterization of the 526 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:08,760 freak offs as consensual swinging, might these counts be at risk, 527 00:34:09,199 --> 00:34:12,519 an argument that seems to have little factual support after 528 00:34:12,559 --> 00:34:17,320 hearing about black eyes, death threats and desperate emails. Man 529 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:20,559 Act counts four and five. These are somewhat more technical, 530 00:34:20,599 --> 00:34:24,400 but essentially flow from the above. If the jury concludes 531 00:34:24,400 --> 00:34:28,159 that Comb's orchestrated a legal sexual conduct, it's a short 532 00:34:28,159 --> 00:34:31,599 step to conclude he also used interstate travel to achieve it. 533 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:35,000 The evidence of the private jets at a state hotel, 534 00:34:35,119 --> 00:34:41,199 orgies and flying in participants is largely unrefuted. The defense 535 00:34:41,239 --> 00:34:44,800 hasn't really contested that travel happened, They only contest the 536 00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:48,800 intent behind it. Giving holmes lifestyle and the context, the 537 00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:53,159 intent seems evident. Thus convictions on the transportation counts are 538 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:57,119 also very likely. It's worth noting that splitting hairs on 539 00:34:57,159 --> 00:35:01,400 these counts isn't intuitive. Won't want to acquit on a 540 00:35:01,400 --> 00:35:04,880 travel technicality if they think he did the trafficking more 541 00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:10,159 likely they will treat these as additional corroborative offenses. Perhaps 542 00:35:10,199 --> 00:35:13,239 the easiest charges for the prosecution to get a unanimous 543 00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:16,280 verdict on are the man act ones, since they involve 544 00:35:16,360 --> 00:35:19,360 simpler questions did he move her for sex? Yes? Or no? 545 00:35:19,679 --> 00:35:23,320 Based on pattern and planning. In conclusion, as the defense 546 00:35:23,360 --> 00:35:26,679 prepares its very limited case, they've indicated it may only 547 00:35:26,760 --> 00:35:30,239 last a day or two, Combs faces an uphill battle. 548 00:35:31,199 --> 00:35:35,000 The current status after six weeks heavily favors the prosecution. 549 00:35:35,599 --> 00:35:38,960 They have presented a narrative back by emotional testimony and 550 00:35:39,039 --> 00:35:42,800 tangible proof, whereas the defense has largely been limited to 551 00:35:42,840 --> 00:35:47,000 cross examining and trying to pull coals. Unless the defense 552 00:35:47,079 --> 00:35:50,239 can produce a highly compelling counter narrative or catch a 553 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:53,079 major witness in a lie which hasn't happened so far, 554 00:35:53,679 --> 00:35:57,519 the likelihood of a conviction on each count is high. 555 00:35:57,800 --> 00:36:02,440 Each charge reinforces the others. The racketeering count gives context 556 00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:05,440 to the trafficking, The trafficking count gives gravity to the 557 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:09,880 transportation counts, and the transportation counts provide a legal acts 558 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:14,000 that support the racketeering. This interlocking nature of the evidence 559 00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:18,440 is a classic strength and complex trials. If jurors accepted 560 00:36:18,519 --> 00:36:22,039 as a whole, it becomes very convincing. Of course, the 561 00:36:22,119 --> 00:36:25,559 ultimate decision rests with the jury, and they'll be reminded 562 00:36:25,639 --> 00:36:29,199 to consider each count separately. It's always possible one or 563 00:36:29,239 --> 00:36:33,239 more jurors might have lingering doubts about certain aspects. For example, 564 00:36:33,519 --> 00:36:36,519 they might wonder if calling it racketeering is too much, 565 00:36:36,960 --> 00:36:40,159 or if Jane's continued love for Colmbs means the government 566 00:36:40,559 --> 00:36:44,800 overstated her coercion. The defense will surely play on any 567 00:36:44,840 --> 00:36:49,239 such doubts in closing arguments. However, based on the case 568 00:36:49,320 --> 00:36:53,000 thus far, the legal analysts observing the trial are largely 569 00:36:53,039 --> 00:36:57,239 in agreement that the prosecution has presented a powerful case. 570 00:36:58,519 --> 00:37:02,159 There's a sense that calms defense, essentially asking the jury 571 00:37:02,199 --> 00:37:06,000 to believe all these people are lying or exaggerating for money, 572 00:37:06,280 --> 00:37:11,199 is thin. As one former prosecutor commented, Rico trials with 573 00:37:11,280 --> 00:37:14,880 multiple victims can be overwhelming for a jury because by 574 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:18,639 the third or fourth witness, the pattern is unmistakable, and 575 00:37:18,679 --> 00:37:21,880 that seems to be happening here. In closing, at this 576 00:37:21,960 --> 00:37:26,159 six week juncture, combs prospects look grim. The prosecution appears 577 00:37:26,199 --> 00:37:28,679 to be meeting its burden of proof on each count 578 00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:31,480 under the law, and the likelihood of a conviction on 579 00:37:31,559 --> 00:37:35,039 all counts is significant if the jury finds the witness 580 00:37:35,079 --> 00:37:38,400 is credible. While the defense may score some points around 581 00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:43,639 the edges, for instance, emphasizing consent and inconsistencies, it would 582 00:37:43,719 --> 00:37:46,519 require a major shift in perspective for the jury to 583 00:37:46,599 --> 00:37:51,000 overlook the mountain of evidence of coercion and conspiracy, and 584 00:37:51,079 --> 00:37:54,320 with the trials soon coming to its climax, Seawan Colmbs 585 00:37:54,559 --> 00:37:57,639 could very well be headed toward a sweeping guilty verdict 586 00:37:57,800 --> 00:38:02,000 on all five counts, a legal downfall as dramatic as 587 00:38:02,039 --> 00:38:05,639 a lifestyle that came before it. All right, So that's 588 00:38:05,639 --> 00:38:08,480 where things currently stand as far as I can see it, 589 00:38:09,119 --> 00:38:12,639 as we cruise into this pivotal week number seven, with 590 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:16,400 the prosecution saying that they're prepared to rest their case 591 00:38:16,760 --> 00:38:20,159 after today probably, and then the defense has said that 592 00:38:20,199 --> 00:38:22,480 they're only going to need a couple of days, and 593 00:38:22,639 --> 00:38:26,440 considering the timeframe we're dealing with, it looks like it's 594 00:38:26,440 --> 00:38:28,599 going to be a sprint to the finish line, and 595 00:38:28,679 --> 00:38:30,760 we're going to be here every step of the way. 596 00:38:31,239 --> 00:38:33,960 As they come down the home stretch. All of the 597 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:37,519 information that goes with this episode can be found in 598 00:38:37,599 --> 00:38:38,639 the description box.