Dateline NBC: Sean Combs - "Someone is lying."

Release Date: June 18, 2025
Host: NBC News
Episode Title: Sean Combs: "Someone is lying."

Overview

In this gripping episode of Dateline NBC's "On Trial" series, host Andrea Canning delves into the high-stakes racketeering trial of music mogul Sean Combs. With Combs pleading not guilty to all charges, the courtroom drama unfolds with intense scrutiny over evidence, witness testimonies, and potential jury complications. NBC News correspondent Chloe Meloss provides real-time updates from the courtroom, offering listeners an in-depth look into the strategies of both the prosecution and the defense as they battle for the jury's favor.

Jury Challenges and Courtroom Turmoil

The trial has encountered significant hurdles with the jury selection process. Andrea Canning reports that juror number six was dismissed recently, and now juror number seven is under scrutiny. Chloe Meloss explains the predicament:

Chloe Meloss [02:40]: "Juror number seven was called in by the judge on Friday, and we could actually see him on the screens in the overflow room where the media and the public sit, but you couldn't hear him."

An anonymous text message to juror seven raised concerns about information leaks, leading the judge to investigate potential breaches. The judge emphasized the severity of the situation:

Chloe Meloss [02:27]: "I'm going to investigate this and I'm going to... potentially legal ramifications for the prosecution or the defense if I find out that anybody gave this information to the press."

This incident has heightened tensions in the courtroom, with Canning noting:

Andrea Canning [04:15]: "It's in situations like this, Andrea, that I just wondered, they could have just sequestered them, right? I mean, they didn't."

The judge's frustration became apparent when he dismissed all members of the press from the courtroom to address the juror issue privately.

Prosecution Presents Damaging Evidence

A pivotal moment in the trial occurred when the prosecution unveiled credit card receipts and AMEX bills allegedly linked to Combs and his staff. These documents detailed exorbitant expenses from hotel stays and damages allegedly related to nights with escorts. Chloe Meloss highlights some of the staggering figures:

Chloe Meloss [07:31]: "One of the bills was from the InterContinental Hotel from October 5, 2012. Guess how much it was. Do you want to take a guess?"

Chloe Meloss [07:48]: "Well, let me tell you the exact amount. $46,787.56."

Additional charges included damages at the Beverly Hills Hotel, with bills amounting to $950 for drapes and carpet damage. The prosecution aims to demonstrate that these expenses were funneled through Combs' business entities, suggesting misuse of company funds for personal indulgences.

Defense Counters with Contradictory Evidence

In response, the defense introduced text messages intended to portray the "freak offs" (the term used for these orchestrated encounters) as consensual and mutually enjoyable events. These messages aimed to undermine the prosecution's narrative of forced sexual encounters and suggest that participants were willing and happy.

Chloe Meloss [10:48]: "They did. And the point of those messages seems to be that they're trying to show that Cassie lied when she told KK that her neighbors were going to call the police."

The defense also presented evidence questioning the credibility of Cassie Ventura's accounts, indicating discrepancies in her statements about police involvement and the severity of her injuries. This strategy seeks to cast doubt on the prosecution's claims of assault and coercion.

Courtroom Dynamics and Future Proceedings

Amidst the ongoing trial, the judge's frustration with the leaked information continues to cast a shadow over the proceedings. Andrea Canning notes the judge's stern demeanor:

Chloe Meloss [11:40]: "He's trying to figure out this issue with juror number seven. And like I mentioned, we don't know what they've decided yet. He is not having a good day. He is angry. He's mad about this information being leaked to some news outlet about juror number seven."

Looking ahead, the prosecution plans to call Brendan Paul, Sean Combs' assistant who was arrested on drug charges during raids of Combs' properties. Paul's testimony is expected to be a critical blow to the defense, providing further insight into the alleged racketeering activities surrounding Combs.

Chloe Meloss [12:39]: "The prosecution is going to call Brendan Paul... This is big. And we're gonna hear about what went down that day."

Conclusion

As the Sean Combs trial progresses, Dateline NBC provides listeners with a front-row seat to the unfolding legal battle. With mounting evidence, contentious witness testimonies, and jury complications, the case promises to keep audiences on edge. Andrea Canning and Chloe Meloss continue to deliver comprehensive coverage, ensuring that all key developments are thoroughly examined and presented with clarity.

For those following this high-profile case, stay tuned to Dateline NBC for daily updates and in-depth analysis.

Produced by: Franny Kelly, with Alison Orr and Liz Brown Kurloff as Senior Producers
Executive Producer: Paul Ryan
Senior Executive Producer: Liz Cole
Original Music: Jesse McGinty
Listen to more episodes: Dateline Premium