Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy
Episode: The Trial: New Week, New Juror
Release Date: June 17, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy, hosted by ABC News legal contributor and attorney Brian Buckmire, listeners are brought deep into the intricacies of the ongoing trial against Sean "Diddy" Combs. As the trial enters its sixth week, significant developments unfold, shedding light on both the prosecution's mounting evidence and the defense's strategic maneuvers.

Progress in the Trial

Juror Removal and Jury Composition

The episode opens with a critical update regarding the jury selection process. The judge confirmed the dismissal of Juror Number Six following concerns about his eligibility to serve on a federal jury in Manhattan.

Brian Buckmire [00:40]: "The judge said Monday morning there's nothing the juror could say at this point to put the genie back in the bottle."

The dismissed juror, who is Black, was replaced by a White alternate, altering the jury’s demographic to be older, more educated, and predominantly white and suburban. This shift raises questions about the jury's dynamics and impartiality, though the judge dismissed concerns about racial motivations behind the juror’s removal.

Prosecution's Case: Presenting Evidence

As the prosecution approaches the conclusion of their case, they have been presenting a series of text and audio messages to build a narrative of Diddy's alleged involvement in orchestrating "freak offs"—sex parties that were purportedly controlled and videotaped by him. These communications suggest financial transactions and coordination among Diddy’s associates:

• Transaction with a Drug Dealer: Messages about paying a drug dealer named Guido for Molly pills.
• Preparation for Events: Instructions to set up a hotel room for a freak off, including procuring baby oil.
• Internal Communications: Exchanges indicating attempts to downplay violent incidents and maintain focus on the case.

Brian Buckmire [02:30]: “The jury saw messages about paying a drug dealer named Guido for Molly pills...”

The prosecution plans to rest their case between Wednesday and Friday, aiming to consolidate their evidence with summary witnesses who can help synthesize the presented information for the jury.

Defense's Strategy

The defense has been actively challenging the prosecution's evidence, highlighting messages that seem to minimize the role of Diddy’s assistants in illicit activities. They argue that charges such as drug distribution and sex trafficking may be exaggerated or misrepresented.

Brian Buckmire [02:50]: “The defense highlighted messages that seemed to downplay the alleged role of Combs employees in buying drugs...”

Looking ahead, the defense is expected to present their witnesses starting Friday, including Vashta Dunlap, a former vice president at Bad Boy Entertainment, to counter the prosecution's claims and provide alternative interpretations of the evidence.

Insights from the Q&A Segment

Following the trial updates, Brian Buckmire engages with listeners through a series of compelling questions, offering deeper legal insights into the case.

Witnesses Propping Up Diddy’s Defense

Caller Tyisha from Durham, North Carolina, inquires about the possibility of witnesses supporting Diddy’s character:

Tyisha [03:55]: "What about the fact that like, does Diddy have any witnesses against Cassie or I'm hearing Cassie, Cassie, Cassie, what about Diddy?"

Brian Buckmire [04:18]: "In a criminal case, it's the prosecution who are bringing the charges and they go first... it's more about attacking the elements or the charges that he's facing."

Buckmire explains that while the defense may eventually present witnesses to mitigate potential sentencing, the current phase focuses on rebutting the prosecution's accusations rather than endorsing Diddy’s character.

Potential Legal Risks for Alleged Victims

Caller Eileen from Texas raises concerns about Cassie Ventura's potential liability:

Eileen [05:40]: "If her argument or her case is not compelling enough with her testimony, is it possible that she could have a case against her as well for sex trafficking if they find Diddy guilty?"

Brian Buckmire [06:17]: "It is highly unlikely that the government will then turn around and prosecute her as well... They don't want to start that precedent."

Buckmire reassures that, legally, Cassie would unlikely face prosecution as the focus remains on the defendant, ensuring that victims are not deterred from coming forward.

Impact of Interstate Activities on Charges

Caller Tony from West Virginia questions the significance of crossing state lines in the charges:

Tony [07:27]: "Does that mean if he hired local in state sex workers, wherever he had gone, this may not have even ever been a case?"

Brian Buckmire [07:55]: "If you only hired sex workers within the state, he could still potentially have problems with RICO... It might only affect one or two charges, not necessarily all of them."

Buckmire clarifies that federal charges often hinge on activities crossing state lines, making the scope of the alleged crimes broader and more severe.

Duration of RICO Cases Compared to Other High-Profile Trials

Caller Dave from New York City compares this trial's length to other RICO cases:

Dave [08:52]: "How long does a normal RICO case generally last?"

Brian Buckmire [09:14]: "With Sean Combs, you have one defendant with a RICO charge and eight predicate acts... this is on the shorter side of a RICO case."

Buckmire notes that RICO cases vary widely in duration based on the number of defendants and the complexity of predicate acts, positioning Diddy's trial as relatively concise.

Consequences for Diddy’s Businesses and Employees

Caller Kelly from Dallas, Texas asks about the impact of a potential conviction on Diddy’s business ventures:

Kelly [13:42]: "If he is found guilty, what happens to his companies and the employees there?"

Brian Buckmire [13:52]: "If Sean Combs is convicted, any assets connected to the crimes could be forfeited. Additionally, civil liabilities could affect his companies and employees if they are directly involved."

Buckmire explains that conviction could lead to significant financial repercussions for Diddy’s enterprises, though corporations themselves are unlikely to face criminal liability.

Jury Sequestration and Media Influence

Callers Catherine, Roslyn, and Alicia inquire about the jury's exposure to media and possible sequestration:

Alicia [15:53]: "Are the jury members in the Diddy trial being sequestered or are they able to receive outside media and to talk to each other?"

Brian Buckmire [16:42]: "They're not being sequestered... it's kind of the honor code where you say don't listen, don't look for it. If you hear anything, they're supposed to relay that to any jury staff."

Buckmire indicates that the jury is not sequestered but is expected to adhere to strict guidelines to prevent external influences, relying on the honor system to maintain impartiality.

Television Coverage of the Trial

Caller Delena from Missouri questions why the Diddy trial isn't being televised:

Delena [18:23]: "Why isn't Diddy's trial being televised like other high-profile cases?"

Brian Buckmire [18:48]: "Federal courts do not allow cameras... States like California allow cameras, but the federal system adheres to different interpretations of a public trial."

Buckmire highlights the distinction between federal and state court policies regarding media presence, explaining that Diddy’s trial follows federal restrictions on televised proceedings.

Celebrity Involvement in the Testimony

Caller Diane from Manchester, New Hampshire wonders about celebrity witnesses:

Diane [20:11]: "Are any celebrities going to be taking the stand?"

Brian Buckmire [20:29]: "As of now, no celebrities have been scheduled to take the stand. While names like Michael B. Jordan and Mike Myers were mentioned during jury selection, there's no indication they will testify."

Buckmire affirms that, despite high-profile names being associated with the case, no celebrities are slated to provide testimony, maintaining the focus on the core legal proceedings.

Conclusion and Next Steps

As the prosecution nears the end of its case, the episode wraps up with anticipation of the defense's forthcoming witness testimonies. Brian Buckmire emphasizes the gravity of the evidence presented and the strategic responses from both sides. Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for real-time updates and in-depth analysis as the trial progresses toward its conclusion.

Brian Buckmire [22:00]: "We'll be back later in the week as the prosecution wraps up its case and we start to see what the defense has in store."

About the Host:
Brian Buckmire is an ABC News legal contributor and a practicing attorney, bringing expert legal analysis and insights into high-profile cases. In Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy, he meticulously dissects the complexities of the trial, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the legal battles shaping the entertainment industry.

For more episodes and in-depth coverage of the Diddy trial, subscribe to Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.