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Prosecutors within the Sean “Diddy” Combs intercourse trafficking and racketeering trial indicated they’re now not pursuing a number of allegations towards the music mogul, together with tried arson and tried kidnapping.
In a letter to the choose, the federal government stated the theories of aiding and abetting intercourse trafficking may also not be pursued.
“The Government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability, so instructions are no longer necessary,” prosecutors wrote in a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian.
“Specifically, the Government has removed instructions from the charge relating to (i) attempted kidnapping under both California and New York law, (ii) attempted arson under California law, and (iii) aiding and abetting sex trafficking. The Government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability so instructions are no longer necessary,” the letter learn.
Lawyers are assembly with Subramanian on Wednesday to debate additional jury directions.
The prosecution’s newest transfer comes after Combs’ legal professionals made arguments to toss out the costs, arguing they weren’t confirmed. The choose stated he’ll rule at a later date.
Prosecutors have referred to as 34 witnesses to attempt to show intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy fees that resulted in Combs’ September arrest, together with two ex-girlfriends of Combs who testified they felt coerced into marathon intercourse occasions with male intercourse employees that had been referred to as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”
Defence legal professionals, although, say they had been consensual sexual encounters in line with the swingers way of life.
The tried arson cost stemmed from Kid Cudi’s testimony, after he alleged that Combs broke into his dwelling after studying about his relationship with Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
In January 2012, Kid Cudi, whose actual title is Scott Mescudi, stated that his canine watcher referred to as him from his home to let him know that his automobile was on fireplace. He stated he was at his ex-girlfriend’s sister’s home about 45 minutes away.
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His good friend despatched him photographs of his broken automobile in his driveway and people photographs had been proven to the jury.
Mescudi described the photograph as “the damage of the Molotov cocktail in my Porsche.”
“It looks like the top of my Porsche was cut open, and that’s where the Molotov cocktail was put in,” he added.
He stated regulation enforcement discovered a Molotov cocktail in his driver’s seat however as soon as he arrived again dwelling, it was “kind of just burnt up.”
When Mescudi was requested about his response to the fireplace, he stated, “what the f—.”
After his automobile was allegedly set on fireplace, Mescudi requested to satisfy with Combs. When requested in courtroom why he needed to satisfy with him, the rapper responded that he reached out as a result of he claimed he knew Combs was someway concerned within the fireplace.
Combs’ lawyer objected to Mescudi’s hypothesis, and his reply was struck from the document. Combs has not been confirmed accountable for the automobile fireplace, and his involvement in any means has not been confirmed.
Ultimately, nobody was charged with arson within the incident.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible and has remained incarcerated with out bail in a federal lockup in Brooklyn after a number of judges concluded final fall that he was a hazard to the neighborhood.
It is normal follow at federal prison trials for the choose to instantly query the defendant concerning the choice to testify or not, partially to make sure that the defendant is aware of it’s his choice, no matter what his legal professionals have advised him.
When it got here time for Subramanian to query Combs after prosecutors rested, the choose requested him how he’s doing.
“I’m doing great, your honour,” the Bad Boy Entertainment founder answered, earlier than volunteering a praise to the choose earlier than one other query could possibly be posed.
“I want to tell you thank you, you’re doing an excellent job,” Combs stated.
Combs stated he “thoroughly” mentioned the matter together with his legal professionals earlier than deciding to not testify.
“That is my decision, your honour,” Combs stated, including: “That is solely my decision.”
Prodded by the choose, he clarified additional: “I mean, it’s my decision with my lawyers. … My decision to make. I’m making it.”
Closing arguments had been tentatively scheduled for Thursday.
—With information from The Associated Press
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