Sean Combs: Prosecution and defense rest.

Summary

Dateline NBC Episode Summary: "Sean Combs: Prosecution and Defense Rest"

Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host/Author: NBC News
Episode: Sean Combs: Prosecution and Defense Rest

---

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Dateline NBC, NBC News delves deep into the high-stakes racketeering trial of Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy. Pleading not guilty to all charges, Combs faces severe allegations that, if proven, could result in a life sentence. The episode meticulously covers the latest developments as both the prosecution and defense have concluded their respective presentations.

---

Prosecution's Case

After six grueling weeks and the testimony of 34 witnesses, federal prosecutors have formally rested their case against Sean Combs. The prosecution has painted a picture of Combs orchestrating a criminal enterprise involving coercion and exploitation. A significant portion of their evidence revolves around Combs' alleged attempts to conceal illicit activities, such as arranging "freak off" parties involving escorts and drug-fueled sex parties.

Key Points:

• Rule 29 Motion: The prosecution emphasized the necessity of Rule 29, a standard motion in federal trials, arguing that the evidence presented was insufficient to meet the burden of proof for a RICO conspiracy.
• Obstruction of Justice: Central to their case is the accusation that Combs engaged in obstruction by attempting to bribe security personnel to suppress incriminating evidence, such as videos documenting assaults (e.g., [05:50] Andrea Canning).

Notable Quote:

"[Sean Combs] is trying to conceal his private sex life, his fetishes, which may have had some illegal activity in it, but he was trying to keep that separate from his business."
— Alexandra Shapiro, Combs's Attorney ([04:53])

---

Defense's Case

In stark contrast, the defense wrapped up their presentation swiftly, taking only half an hour without calling any witnesses. Their strategy centered on challenging the prosecution's portrayal of Combs' intentions and mental state.

Key Points:

• Character Testimony: The defense highlighted romantic correspondences between Combs and his former girlfriend, Jane, to argue that there was mutual consent and affection, thereby negating claims of coercion or force ([03:25] Chloe Melas).
• Rule 29 Argument: Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro contended that the prosecution failed to demonstrate a conspiracy, asserting that the alleged crimes were isolated incidents without a sustained criminal enterprise ([04:53] Chloe Melas).
• Concealment vs. Legitimacy: They portrayed Combs' actions as personal indulgences rather than criminal activities, emphasizing that any attempts to conceal activities were motivated by privacy concerns, not criminal intent ([07:19] Andrea Canning).

Notable Quote:

"They were asking the jury to look at Combs's state of mind. Right. Because if someone is telling you, I love you, I had such a great night, but that's not really how they're feeling."
— Chloe Melas, NBC News Correspondent ([02:23])

---

Key Evidence and Arguments

• Text Messages: The defense presented recurring text messages between Combs and Jane, underscoring a romantic relationship that contradicts the narrative of coercion.
• Freak Off Videos: Five additional "freak off" videos were introduced by the defense to normalize the depicted activities, arguing they were consensual and for personal enjoyment ([03:25] Andrea Canning).
• NDA Controversy: The defense scrutinized the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) signed by key witnesses, suggesting its terms were not as restrictive as presented, potentially undermining claims of enforced silence ([07:30] Chloe Melas).

Notable Quote:

"Jane was so positive about the sex that they were having at these hotel nights... that a reasonable person couldn't have known that she felt coerced or forced."
— Chloe Melas, NBC News Correspondent ([03:07])

---

Courtroom Atmosphere

The episode provides an intimate glimpse into the tension within the courtroom:

• Sean Combs' Demeanor: Combs appeared visibly strained, shuffling papers and displaying signs of fatigue, such as rubbing his face and sighing ([13:08] Chloe Melas). His interactions with his attorneys suggested a man overwhelmed by the trial's proceedings.

• Jury Fatigue: Both Chloes noted the evident weariness of the jury, exacerbated by the intense heat and the protracted nature of the trial ([13:48] Chloe Melas).

Notable Quote:

"Me and Roy are friends."
— Chloe Melas, NBC News Correspondent ([10:00])

---

Current Status and Next Steps

With both sides having presented their cases, the trial is poised to enter the next critical phase: closing arguments. Scheduled to commence shortly, each side will have approximately four hours to persuade the jury, with seasoned attorneys like Mark Agnifolo for Combs and Maureen Comey for the prosecution at the helm.

Upcoming Developments:

• Closing Arguments: Anticipated to be highly engaging, with the prosecution likely led by Maureen Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey.
• Judgment: The judge has hinted at a possible verdict as early as Friday afternoon, though delays into Monday remain a possibility.

Notable Quote:

"If convicted, he faces life in prison."
— Andrea Canning, NBC News Anchor ([05:50])

---

Conclusion

This episode of Dateline NBC masterfully navigates the complexities of Sean Combs' racketeering trial, presenting a balanced view of both prosecution and defense strategies. As the trial edges closer to its conclusion, viewers are left with a nuanced understanding of the legal battles that will ultimately determine Combs' fate.

---

Production Credits:
On Trial is produced by Franny Kelly with contributions from the Dateline True Crime Weekly team, including senior producers Alison Orr and Liz Brown Karloff. Original music is by Jesse McGinty, with Paul Ryan serving as executive producer and Liz Cole as senior executive producer.

---

Transcript

[Tom Yamas]

Taking over the helm of NBC nightly news, a 75 year old broadcast. It's a great responsibility. Good evening, I'm Tom Yamas. You have to go out there to bring people at home closer to the store. Wildfires continue to be a threat. With that massive hurricane comes the massive response. The best reporters in our business know how to listen. And when you listen, you get the truth for NBC News. For NBC News, I'm Tom Galmas. That's what we do every night, NBC.

[Chloe Melas]

Nightly News with Tom Yamas evenings on NBC.

[Jenna Bush Hager]

Hey everyone, it's Jenna Bush Hager from Today with Jenna and Friends, reminding you to check out my podcast, Open Book with Jenna. In this week's episode, I sit down with Adriana Triggiani and Isaac Fitzgerald. You won't want to miss their summer reading picks and book recommendations for the whole family. You can listen to the full conversation now by searching Open Book with Jenna. Wherever you get your podcast, this is.

[Andrea Canning]

On Trial, a special series from Dateline True Crime Weekly bringing you daily coverage from the Sean Combs racketeering trial. He is pleased pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. I'm Andrea Canning and it's Tuesday, June 24th. Just a heads up in this episode, we're going to be talking about some graphic details and harrowing subject matter. Today at 1:30, after calling 34 witnesses over six weeks, federal prosecutors rested their case. After that, the defense put on their case. It took them only a half an hour. They called no witnesses. What the defense did do is argue something called Rule 29, which is pretty common in federal trials. They asked the judge to dismiss the case on the grounds that the prosecution's evidence isn't strong enough to merit a conviction. NBC News correspondent Chloe Meloss was in the courthouse for all the back and forth. And again, rather than stand on the sidewalk in a heat wave, she is in an air conditioned office to give us the latest. Hey Chloe.

[Chloe Melas]

Hey Andrea. That is right. The sweat is a real thing.

[Andrea Canning]

It's like 100 degrees in New York City. So I'm very glad you are inside. Absolutely, Chloe. This morning the defense continued to cross examine the prosecution's last witness, the Homeland Security agent we told you about yesterday. During this cross examination, the defense pulled up more texts between Jane, pseudonym Jane, and Sean Combs. How are these different from the texts that we've already seen?

[Chloe Melas]

The defense has now shifted from pointing out Jane's actions, right, that she initiated some of these hotel nights, that she was affectionate with some of the escorts, that she handled, some of the logistics for their travel. Instead, they're asking the jury to look at Combs's state of mind. Right. Because if someone is telling you, I love you, I had such a great night, but that's not really how they're feeling. Well, I'm not a mind reader, so how did I know you didn't want to do those things? How could I know you were upset if you didn't tell me? And that is something that we've heard a little bit during cross examination. But really today, the defense, they were trying to hammer that point home.

[Andrea Canning]

We should remind everyone Jane is Combs's former girlfriend.

[Chloe Melas]

That's right. And the argument is that Jane was so positive about the sex that they were having at these hotel nights, at these freak offs with these escorts, that a reasonable person couldn't have known that she felt coerced or forced. So then, therefore, it doesn't meet the bar of sex trafficking.

[Andrea Canning]

Chloe, you. You and I talked about showing these freak off videos again and again and how that could possibly be overkill, you know, for the jury. The defense decided today to show five more freak off videos. Why? Why did they do that? And is the jury becoming numb to it, or do you think it's just cringy to them? I mean, it's, you know, it's a lot of sex.

[Chloe Melas]

It's just my opinion that this is the defense's strategy to be like, we are not afraid of these videos, that these were filmed for personal enjoyment. These were not filmed to blackmail anybody or to force anybody to continue to participate in these drug fueled sex parties. And that these were women who were consenting. Like, look at them. Do they look pastel, drugged beyond belief that they can't make a decision? Are they saying no? Are they crying? Is he beating them? Is he yelling at them to continue? On the contrary, according to testimony, Jane and Cassie really were not vocal during the actual freak offs. Andrea. That they didn't want to do them. Anyone objecting came out later after the fact.

[Andrea Canning]

Chloe. After the prosecution rested, as we mentioned at the top, the defense put forward its motion for acquittal, which, as we said, not out of the ordinary. But it's interesting, this Rule 29, tell us what it is and how the judge decided on it.

[Chloe Melas]

Yeah. So a Rule 29 motion is pretty standard in a federal trial such as this one. And it's where the defense is saying, look, Judge, the prosecutors, the government, they did not meet their burden of proof. I sat in there for the Rule 29 today, and it was led by Alexandra Shapiro, one of Combs's attorneys, and she almost painstakingly went through through all five counts. Remember, count one is RICO conspiracy, and if convicted, he faces life in prison. And the defense's argument is that the prosecution never showed that Combs agreed with others to commit any crime. The government has to prove that Combs agreed to participate in the conduct of the enterprise. And the defense is saying that the government never proved that he conspired with any other person, that there were one off crimes committed, but that these individuals were not also knowingly participating in a criminal enterprise.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, the defense is arguing there was no conspiracy at all.

[Chloe Melas]

Exactly. They're saying, okay, so he had some assistance by drugs from time to time. He was hiring these escorts, and so were either Cassie or Jane. But his team, they really didn't know what was going on behind those closed doors. The defense pointed out some text messages today that had already been brought up throughout the course of the trial. And in one instance, Combs is saying to an escort, hey, you know, you better leave before the team comes. Other instances where he's trying to conceal the activity from kk. Right. And KK confronts him. Christina Khoram, his former chief of staff, saying, you need to be honest with me. You know, I don't need to go through your phone, but you need to be straightforward. And so Alexandra Shapiro, one of Combs's attorneys, was really trying to say, look, he was trying to conceal his private sex life, his fetishes, which may have had some illegal activity in it, but he was trying to keep that separate from his business. The defense says that the staff was doing damage control, that they were cleaning up these hotel rooms, for instance, and maybe even booking the hotels in their name versus his because he was this big star. And they wouldn't want that to get out in the press, but not because they thought that he was doing anything grossly illegal and running a criminal enterprise.

[Andrea Canning]

The prosecution is trying to say that Combs, you know, went to great lengths to conceal his alleged illegal enterprise. Did the defense say there wasn't enough evidence for that either?

[Chloe Melas]

So under RICO conspiracy, there are something called predicate crimes. And if Combs has committed at least two illegal activities on that list, then it meets the requirements requirement to prove RICO conspiracy. And on that is obstruction of justice. And what the prosecution has argued is that one way that he tried to conceal his illegal enterprise was paying off those security guards from the Intercontinental Hotel so that that video of him beating Cassie in the hallway never got out. Remember Eddie Garcia, who testified Combs showed up to his meeting with a hundred thousand dollars in a brown paper bag like something straight out of a movie, and called Eddie his angel. But the defense said that that's not bribery because there was no police involvement at any time and that Cassie even said that she did not want Eddie Garcia or anyone going to the police. And Eddie also testified that he thought that the NDA he signed was ironclad and that he couldn't go to the police. But on cross examination, the defense pointed out that that the NDA did have a stipulation that said anyone who signs this, they are free to go to law enforcement if they need to. The judge said he's going to reserve his decision and I believe, put it in writing and we'll see that perhaps tomorrow.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, Chloe. When we come back, the defense's case was short. It was mostly love letters.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I'm Josh Mankiewicz and I hope you'll join us for season four of DATELINE Missing in America. In each episode of dateline's award winning series, we will focus on one missing persons case and hear from the families, the friends and the investigators, all desperate to find them. You will want to listen closely. Maybe you could help investigators solve a mystery. Search DATELINE Missing in America to listen on Apple podcasts. For almost a decade, gospel music and the sermons of Pastor Roy Whiteed made the Sunday morning service. He was a good preacher, you know.

[Chloe Melas]

He had the way with the word.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In the first week of May, 2024, something happened that seemed almost impossible to believe. The 64 year old pastor vanished. For White County Sheriff Steve Page, Roy's case is personal.

[Chloe Melas]

Me and Roy are friends.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sheriff Page says he will not rest until he finds Roy. I believe somebody knows something. They just haven't come forward yet. Maybe could be the key to solving his case. DATELINE Missing in America available wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now.

[Yasmin Vasugian]

As the day wraps up. Get the scoop on what's been happening with here's the Scoop, a new podcast from NBC News. With me, your host, Yasmin Vasugian along with Morgan Chesky and Brian Chung. We'll take a deep dive into the day's top stories with NBC News's trusted journalist. It's a fresh take that's sharp, thoughtful and it's informative, bringing you closer to the headlines and conversations that are shaping our world. From the front page to the zeitgeist, all in 15 minutes or less. Here's the scoop from NBC News. Listen daily on Apple Podcasts.

[Andrea Canning]

Welcome back, everybody. Chloe Combs formally declined to testify this.

[Chloe Melas]

Was a really fascinating part because it was the first time that we heard Combs in a very long time. He first told the judge really quickly, it sounded like he was really trying to rush these words out. I just want to tell you that I think that you're doing a really good job to the judge, so I'm not.

[Andrea Canning]

Oh, wow.

[Chloe Melas]

Yeah. I don't know if that's just to kind of flatter the judge so that maybe, you know. But he also kind of took his time saying that it was his decision to not testify. He said, quote, that is totally my decision. You know, I'm making it. And then he kind of, like, laughed while I'm making it with my lawyers. And it just seemed like he really wanted to talk. And it has to be hard to sit there for six weeks and hear all these bad things about yourself and then not get a chance to address the jury.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah, really, really hard. But, you know, it was no surprise. As Danny told us yesterday, putting him on the stand would be too much of a risk. And Danny said, what? We'd be here for months.

[Chloe Melas]

Absolutely.

[Andrea Canning]

So most of the defense's case today was text messages. There wasn't anything new, really, about any of them. But surprisingly romantic note to close out this portion of the trial, this really.

[Chloe Melas]

Reminded me of Weinstein's criminal retrial, where they were showing love notes between some of the women and Weinstein. And you saw that today. Cassie Ventura. In June of 2012, she writes, I am the luckiest woman in the world. And then in May of 2017, I thank God we grew together and not apart. No one understands me the way you do. You are my best friend. There isn't a person in the world that I love more than you. What's significant about that? In May of 2017, this is after Combs brutally beat her at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016. So if you're trying to prove force, fraud, coercion, and you're trying to say that he trapped these women and blackmailed them, I think that this is very strong for the defense.

[Andrea Canning]

How did Combs look today? You know, it's. We're nearing the end here. It's been a lot. Also, you know, he's seeing these romantic messages. What was the vibe like in the courtroom with Sean Combs?

[Chloe Melas]

When he arrived in the courtroom this morning, he was the only one at the defense table. He was sort of shuffling through papers in a folder, and at one point, he looked like he leaned back and let out a sigh. And during the Rule 29 motion, the jury wasn't in there, but I was staring at him and he was just continually rubbing his face and his head in his hands. I think he's just tired. It's arduous. It's a lot of information to listen to and to have to sit there in that chair. And really, he's, he really doesn't move much at all. He's very stoic. I think it just is a massive emotional toll on anyone.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. Well, including the jury, as far as, you know, just fatigue, I would think, at this point.

[Chloe Melas]

I think they're really tired. Right. And this heat is not helping anyone. But they will not be in court tomorrow because it's a charging conference and that strictly between the prosecutors, the defense team and the judge, and they're gonna be going over what exactly are going to be the jury instructions and what sort of paperwork are they gonna have to go through as they are deliberating.

[Andrea Canning]

And because of all that paperwork, we are not gonna subject our listeners to boring information about a charging conference, albeit very, very important. Of course.

[Chloe Melas]

Of course.

[Andrea Canning]

So we're not going to put out an episode tomorrow, but we will return on Thursday to talk about closings and that these closings are going to be very powerful with these highly skilled attorneys.

[Chloe Melas]

Four hours for each side. And I thought I talked a lot. I don't see how anybody could talk for four hours on a subject. But Mark Agnifolo, who is Combs's lead attorney, who we really haven't seen much of at all during this trial because there are so many attorneys, he's going to be doing closings. And, you know, you're gonna have the prosecutors kick things off in the morning. That would likely be Maureen Comey. Remember, her father is James Comey, the former FBI director. So, you know, I think the jury could get the case Friday afternoon. That's what the judge has said. But you never know. This could also stretch into Monday.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. Chloe, thank you. We look forward to our break tomorrow, and we'll see everybody on Thursday.

[Chloe Melas]

See you Thursday.

[Andrea Canning]

Thanks for listening. If you want to read the latest developments and analysis from inside the courtroom, check out the NBC newsletter. Diddy on trial go to nbcnews.com diddy to find that. On Trial is produced by Franny Kelly with help from the Dateline True Crime Weekly team. Our senior producers are Alison Orr and Liz Brown Karloff. Original Music by Jesse McGinty. Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer of Dateline.

[Chloe Melas]

USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day like superheroes and Sidekicks or Auto and Home Insurance. With usaa, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a [e-mail]. bundle restrictions apply.