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First Watch: Diddy Awaits Sentencing & Harmony Montgomery’s Case Heads to Appeal
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Foreign hey everyone, it's Katie. If you're loving Crime House Daily, you need to check out Crimes of, the newest show from Crime House. Crimes of is a weekly series that explores a new theme each season from Crimes of the paranormal, unsolved murders, mysterious disappearances and more. Their first season is Crimes of Infamy, the true stories behind Hollywood's most iconic horror villains. Crimes of is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or find them on YouTube at Crime House Studios. New episodes out every Tuesday.
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This is Crime House.
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And after nearly a two month trial with 34 witnesses and hours and hours of salacious testimony, a jury of eight men and four women find Sean Diddy Combs not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, but guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Outside the courthouse, huge crowds gathered. Combs supporters celebrated with baby oil and cheers. But others called the verdict an injustice.
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This is shocking. This was an enormous, enormous defeat for prosecutors. The three big charges, which is why they prosecuted him in the first place. The jury acquitted Diddy.
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Sean Diddy Combs built an empire on fame, fortune and power. But behind the glamorous parties and celebrity image was a world of manipulation, violence and control. Now we wait as a judge decides his fate. Foreign hi, I'm Katie Ring, a true crime analyst, self defense instructor and fierce advocate for victims. And this is Crime House Daily, your essential true crime companion. Every weekday morning and night here at Crime House Daily, we dig into the true crime stories making headlines right now, where justice is unfolding, arrests are happening, and new evidence is emerging. The Every morning, First Watch gets you up to speed on the biggest cases. Every night, Nightwatch takes you deeper. If you want to follow a case from the first 911 call to the final verdict, this is the place for you. Follow Crime House Daily Wherever you get your podcasts, leave a review and for ad free listening, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. For a video, check out our YouTube channel RimehouseDaily. This episode discusses active criminal cases and breaking news. The information we share is based on what's publicly available at the time of recording and may change as new evidence comes to light. We aim to inform, not to decide guilt or innocence. So everyone mentioned is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Today we're covering two major cases in the news. The first is Sean Combs, or as you may know him, Puff Daddy P. Diddy Diddy Swag, or Brother Love. He was once one of the most powerful men in the music industry. But in July, he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. And a judge will decide his fate tomorrow. But in the meantime, we will bring you up to speed on how he got there. The second story is the heartbreaking case of five year old Harmony Montgomery, whose disappearance gripped New England. Her father, Adam Montgomery, was convicted of her murder in 2024. But now he's pushing for a new trial and an appeals court will soon decide if his conviction will stand.
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Before we get into today's main stories, we have some updates on the Travis Decker case. If you don't know who that is, he is the father accused of murdering his three daughters in a campground in Washington. Law enforcement launched a months long manhunt, noting that Decker had past military experience and advanced survival training. But in a shocking twist, authorities in Washington have recently announced that they may have just found Decker's remains. They were extremely decomposed and found less than a mile from where his daughter's bodies were found in June. We have an in depth Night Watch episode on this case coming up. So make sure to stay tuned for that as updates keep rolling in. For today's first story, we're covering one of this year's biggest stories, the trial of Sean Diddy Combs for sex related felonies. Diddy was charged with five felonies, one count of racketeering conspiracy, or what is called rico, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation for prostitution. And on July 2, he was found not guilty on the RICO charge and the sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, but guilty on both counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and and on October 3rd, he will be sentenced for those crimes. Today I'm going to get into this sprawling case and everything that led to this point. Along with his criminal charges, Diddy has been sued by dozens of people in civil court for sexual misconduct, including his ex girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, whose civil suit opened doors to this federal investigation. Cassie is a recording Artist, actress and model. She grew up in Connecticut where she started modeling as a teenager. And after finishing high school in 2004, Cassie moved to New York City to make it as a singer. Shortly after moving to New York, she meets a music producer named Ryan Leslie and they collaborate on a few songs, including one you May Remember Me and you. It's popular enough to get played in clubs and one night around 2005 it caught the attention of none other than Sean Diddy Combs. At this point, Diddy is at the top of his game. In 1993 he'd launch Bad Boy Records and turn artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige into legends. And Diddy thinks Cassie can be the next big name. So he partners with her and Ryan Leslie to release her album. The album is self titled Cassie and It's released on August 6, 2008. It peaks at number four on the Billboard charts. And the song Me and you, the song that originally caught Diddy's eye, climbs all the way to number three on the Hot 100. But Cassie's musical talents weren't the only thing that Diddy had his eye on. The relationship started off professional and Diddy played the role of a mentor who simply wanted to make her a star. After all, at 37, Diddy was basically old enough to be 19 year old Cassie's dad. But Diddy used this position to get closer to Cassie and in 2007 they began dating. When it comes to relationships like these, the dynamics are incredibly complex. This person has complete control over your career, your finances, your opportunities and your life. And when you throw celebrity power into the mix, it adds an entire new web of complexities. And it's not long before she's drawn into his over the top social life. In 1998, Diddy had started throwing his now infamous event known as the White Party. It's a huge deal to be invited and everybody in the music industry and Hollywood wanted their name on that list. But Cassie quickly discovers that there are some more sinister activities going on behind closed doors at the White Party and some of the other more glamorous events Diddy hosted. And he has a name for them. Freak offs. These freak offs would usually happen at the after party or the afterparty's afterparty. So not everyone in attendance knew about these secret events, but Cassie would describe them as drug fueled days long sexual performances. During the freak offs, Diddy allegedly coerced women into taking drugs and partaking in sexual activities with other men while he watched, directed, pleasured himself, filmed and Occasionally joined in himself. And according to Cassie, she was one of his victims. Breaking out of an abusive relationship is complicated enough, and in this case, it's especially scary because it really means losing everything. She had reached her dream of becoming a star, and all of that would be down the drain in an instant, with nowhere to go, no way to support yourself, and no way out. And for those thinking why didn't she just leave? She did try multiple times, most of which would be followed by beatings, physical restraint by him or his bodyguards, and threats. As one example, she had been emailing another artist named Kid Cudi, and it was alleged that Diddy had found these and had someone throw a Molotov cocktail into his car out of jealousy. Let's just say Diddy has a reputation that would make any sensible full grown man afraid of what he's capable of. But she finally makes it out. In 2018, free from Diddy's control, she meets her current husband, Alex Fine. They get married in August 2019, and they have two baby girls together. Cassie thought she had put Diddy in the past, but as she started watching her two baby girls growing up, she realized that she had some unfinished business and she wants to make sure he's held accountable for the things he's done. In 2023, she files a civil lawsuit against him, accusing Diddy of rape, forcing her into sex acts with male sex workers, making her take illicit substances, and beating her. Cassie says that she'd endured years of Diddy's violent behavior and demands she'd been stuck in a relationship of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking. When confronted with these allegations, Diddy denies them all. And of course, many of his fans come to his defense, saying she's lying, bitter, just wants a payday, asking why she stayed and why she didn't report it earlier. Anything to take any semblance of accountability off of their hero. But just one day after Cassie files her lawsuit, they settle for an undisclosed sum. Diddy's facade is beginning to crumble, and it isn't long before other alleged victims come forward to tear it down. Seven days after Cassie filed her lawsuit, two other women sued Diddy for abuse and assault dating back to 1991. Not only that, but another woman sues him in December, claiming he'd sex trafficked and gang raped her with two other men in 2003 when she was only 17. Diddy continues to deny wrongdoing, but in February 2024, music producer Rodney Jones Jr. Says Diddy had made unwanted sexual contact with him. Rodney also says Diddy Forced him into engaging with sex workers. And as the civil accusations pile up against Diddy, the government moves in too. In March 2024, federal agents raid two of Diddy's properties in Miami and LA. They recover computers and other electronic devices, along with weapons that include three illegally modified AR15s. They also find a ton of drugs like ketamine and ecstasy, along with the now infamous thousand bottles of baby oil and lubricant. It's starting to look like the stories of Diddy's freak offs are true. Despite this, some people are still questioning the victims until a video of Diddy violently assaulting Cassie in a hotel hallway is leaked and goes viral. And a few months later, in September 2024, he's finally arrested in a Manhattan hotel. He's charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors also allege that he engaged in kidnapping, forced labor, and bribery. After this, the floodgates open even more. People come forward, saying that Diddy was known for using his power over his victims and threatening them with blackmail if they didn't follow his commands. Dozens of men and women file lawsuits against him. Each says that they had been sexually assaulted after being drugged by Diddy. But before any of those civil suits move forward, he has to go through his criminal case. And in early May 2025, eight months after Diddy's arrest, his trial begins. Diddy pleads not guilty to the five charges against him. Cassie Ventura is one of the star witnesses in the two month trial. She testifies about the decade of abuse she allegedly endured at Diddy's hands, as do many other alleged victims. After both sides make their arguments, the jury begins deliberating on June 30, 2025. And they finally deliver their verdict on July 2nd. And this is one of those verdicts everyone is paying attention to. One that could have huge repercussions for dozens of people and even society in general. Out of many charges Diddy faces, people are especially interested in what the decision will be on racketeering and sex traffick. If he's found guilty of these, he could be going to prison for life. So understandably, tensions are high in the courtroom. And for the countless people following on social media, it feels like the whole world is holding its breath. And on these charges, Diddy is found not guilty.
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On July 2, 2025, Sean Diddy Combs was found not guilty of racketeering and sex traffick. This means he'll avoid being sentenced to life in prison, but he's still facing other charges. And the jury did find Diddy guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. For these, he faces up to a decade in prison for each charge. After the verdicts are read, Diddy's attorneys try to get him released on a $1 million bond, but the judge denies it. He says that Diddy could pose a danger to the people who testified against him. While he awaits his sentencing, he's sent to a jail in Brooklyn where he's housed in the same unit as a crypto king fraudster Sam Bankman Fried. According to federal judiciary guidelines, he should be sentenced to 51 to 63 months in jail. But Diddy's lawyers are pushing for 21 to 27 months. As of this recording, his sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 3rd. So we should find out what his punishment is then. But no matter what Diddy's sentence is, this case is far from over. There will surely be appeals and all kinds of legal wrangling after this, and we'll be watching it every step of the way. To bring you all the major updates, today's second story is a tragic one. We're covering an upcoming appeal in the second degree murder case of five year old Harmony Montgomery. In 2024, Harmony's father, Adam Montgomery was found guilty of killing her and sentenced to 45 years to life in prison. But Adam wants a new trial and on October 15, an appeals court is set to listen to his arguments. Before we dive into that, I want to focus on the innocent girl at the heart of the story. Harmony Montgomery was born in Massachusetts on June 7, 2014 to Crystal sorry and Adam Montgomery. She's described as charming and very active and doesn't let her vision loss slow her down. At the time of Harmony's birth, her parents are no longer together. Her mother, 24 year old Crystal Sorry, is given full custody. Her father, 25 year old Adam Montgomery, who has a history of physical abuse and drug addiction, was in prison when Harmony was born. Unfortunately, Harmony's mom Crystal struggles with drug abuse as well and doesn't properly care for her daughter. After several reports to social services, Harmony was put in foster care when she was Two months old, she's in and out of the foster care system until 2019, when a judge awards Adam, who's now out of prison, full custody. It seems like a perfect reunion. Adam is living in Manchester, New Hampshire with his wife Kayla and their two children. They were in a home owned by Adam's grandmother and a few other relatives live there. It seems like he'd really changed people around. Harmony even said she wanted to live with her father. On Easter 2019, Crystal FaceTimes her daughter. But she has no idea this is the last time she'll see her little girl. A couple Months later, in June 2019, Adam's uncle moves out. Unknown to anyone, he calls the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families. He mentions that both Adam and his wife Kayla are back on drugs and there's no electricity in the home. This is the state of New Hampshire's first involvement with Harmony and both the Division for Children, Youth and Families and Manchester police respond to her great uncle's call. But they don't end up taking Harmony away. And after that, Adam and Kayla's drug use only gets worse. Later that year, the family had to move out of the house and live together in a car. The stress and drugs are getting to Adam, causing him to get more violent and he turns that rage onto Kayla and Harmony. He's especially angry with Harmony who's having incontinence issues. And then in late 2019, harmony disappears. But Adam and Kayla never make any kind of report. It's not until November 2021 that Harmony's mom Crystal reports her missing to the police. And as the search for Harmony intensifies, all signs point to Adam. On January 3, 2022, Adam Montgomery was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare child along with second degree assault and interference with custody. While her body hasn't been found, Harmony's mom Crystal Sorey asks a judge to declare Harmony legally dead in March of 2024. And the judge accepts her request. Right around the time Adam goes on trial for Harmony's murder. Adam's now ex wife Kayla is the state's key witness. Through tears, she admits to lying on Adam's behalf because she cared for him. She testifies that Adam had killed Harmony in December of 2019 and hid her body for months. After a two week trial, Adam Montgomery is found guilty of second degree murder. And his sentencing is a few months later on May 9. Before the judge announces their decision, several emotional victim impact statements are given. Harmony's mom Crystal says her daughter lit up a room. She tells Adam. She hopes he hears their daughter's giggle every night. At the end of the hearing, the judge sentences Adam to 45 years to life in prison, to be served consecutively with a 32.5 year sentence. He's already begun serving for unrelated gun charges. But unfortunately for Harmony's loved ones, there's still more to come with this case. In early 2025, Adams attorneys filed an appeal for a new trial. Their argument is based on three alleged errors. One, the court's failure to sever charges from an alleged assault against Harmony in 2019 from the murder charges. Two, that Kayla shouldn't have been able to testify about his past alleged abuse and three, showing the jury video evidence of an interaction Adam had with police in 2021 when they found him sleeping in his car with only one other passenger just a few days after Harmony was reported missing. For the first and second points, Adam's attorneys argue, quote, the necessary factual connection of the evidence was lacking regarding the video of the 2021 police encounter. It was presented to the jury without audio, which Adam's lawyer say shouldn't have happened. They're arguing that the body cam footage violated Adam's right to remain silent and it could have prejudiced the jury against him because they could have inferred that he wasn't being Cooperative. On October 15, an appeals court will officially hear these arguments. There's no guarantee that just because they've agreed to hear Adam's case, they'll grant him a new trial, or if they do grant him a new trial, that the verdict will change. We'll be monitoring all of the updates on this case and we'll be sure to bring you any major developments. What did you think of today's case? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments and follow us rimehouse247 on TikTok and Instagram and subscribe on YouTube @CrimeDaily for ad free listening, join Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You stay curious and I'll stay on the camera case. See you next time.