Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy Episode Summary: The Trial: Who’s the Leak? Release Date: June 20, 2025
Host: Brian Buckmire, ABC News Legal Contributor

Introduction

In this episode of Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy, ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire delves deep into the ongoing trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. The episode, titled "The Trial: Who’s the Leak?", explores the intricate details of the case, the legal strategies employed by both the prosecution and defense, and the potential implications of recent developments in the trial.

Court Proceedings and Recent Developments

The trial took a dramatic turn earlier in the week when Judge Subramanian issued a stern warning regarding an unnamed leak that contained information about the case not yet made public. This leak is tied to a sealed conversation about a juror's issue, though specifics remain undisclosed. The defense is pushing for the removal of this juror, highlighting concerns over the integrity of the jury process.

Brian Buckmire explains, "[Judge Subramanian] said, 'Any further violation of my gag order, I'll haul the attorneys into court, force them to testify and conduct an examination of their electronic devices.' [07:11]"

Additionally, the jury was presented with actual clips from the notorious "freak offs" videos for the first time, a significant move as previously only still photos were shown. These clips are central to the prosecution's argument, which posits that the events were non-consensual and coercive.

Legal Perspectives: Interview with Donna Rituno

Brian Buckmire introduces Donna Rituno, a seasoned criminal defense attorney known for defending high-profile clients like Harvey Weinstein. Although she does not represent Diddy, her insights provide a critical perspective on the case.

Assessment of the Prosecution's Case

Donna Rituno shares her skepticism about the government's strength in proving racketeering charges, emphasizing the complexity of such cases:

"...racketeering was originally made part of the statues to go after and try to convict mobsters. And so it was an organizational group that took place in committing crimes and what they had to do with each other to make crimes successful." [04:39]

She believes that while the prosecution is attempting to build a domino effect through various testimonies, the overall racketeering charge may be weak, especially with jurors showing skepticism.

Consent as a Central Argument

A significant focus of the trial is the concept of consent. The prosecution argues that the sexual encounters orchestrated by Diddy were coercive, whereas the defense maintains they were consensual.

Donna Rituno elaborates on the defense's stance:

"The defense's position is that in and of itself is this implied consent that continues throughout the course of this relationship." [08:41]

She highlights the societal shifts in understanding consent and how the defense leverages the ongoing relationships between Diddy and the accusers to argue for implied consent.

Use of Expert Testimony

The prosecution has employed forensic psychologists to explain phenomena like love bombing and trauma bonding, aiming to illustrate why victims remain in abusive relationships. Donna Rituno criticizes this approach:

"...they get up and they say if you buy plane tickets and you want to travel with the person who raped you the next day, that's totally normal. Doesn't mean you weren't raped." [14:07]

She argues that such expert testimonies can overreach and potentially prejudice jurors against the defense.

Jury Dynamics and Potential Outcomes

The composition of the jury plays a crucial role in the trial's outcome. With a majority of older jurors, Donna Rituno anticipates challenges for the defense:

"...I think that age plays a much bigger factor here. I also think that...in this case, it will play more in Sean Combs favor to have an older jury, because I don't think they buy these concepts that people continue to come back for more." [25:57]

She suggests that older jurors may be less inclined to accept the defense's arguments regarding consent and the continuation of the relationships.

Potential Verdict Scenarios

Considering the complexity of RICO charges and the multifaceted nature of the case, Donna Rituno predicts a mixed verdict:

"I do not believe he will be found guilty on all counts. So we'll see... the more counts there are, the less likely for somebody to completely walk out." [28:59]

She draws parallels to Harvey Weinstein's trial, where mixed outcomes were observed, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the final verdict.

Conclusion

"The Trial: Who’s the Leak?" offers a comprehensive examination of Sean Combs' legal battles, emphasizing the strategic maneuvers of both the prosecution and defense. Through expert interviews and detailed analysis, the episode sheds light on the challenges faced in prosecuting high-profile cases involving intricate charges like racketeering and sex trafficking.

For listeners seeking real-time updates and in-depth legal analysis of the Diddy trial, this episode serves as an essential resource, unpacking the nuances and potential turning points that may shape the case's outcome.

Notable Quotes:

• Donna Rituno on racketeering charges:
  "Racketeering was originally made part of the statutes to go after and try to convict mobsters..." [04:39]

• Donna Rituno on consent in the defense's argument:
  "The defense's position is that in and of itself is this implied consent that continues throughout the course of this relationship." [08:41]

• Donna Rituno criticizing expert testimonies:
  "They get up and they say if you buy plane tickets and you want to travel with the person who raped you the next day, that's totally normal." [14:07]

• Donna Rituno on jury demographics:
  "I think that age plays a much bigger factor here. I also think that...in this case, it will play more in Sean Combs favor to have an older jury..." [25:57]

• Donna Rituno on potential verdicts:
  "I do not believe he will be found guilty on all counts. So we'll see... the more counts there are, the less likely for somebody to completely walk out." [28:59]

For more detailed coverage and daily updates on the Diddy trial, tune into ABC News Live's "Burden of the Case Against Diddy" available on Disney, Hulu, and other streaming platforms.