Sean Combs: "You were welcome to leave, right?"

Summary

Dateline: True Crime Weekly Episode: Sean Combs: "You were welcome to leave, right?" Release Date: June 12, 2025

---

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly, host Andrea Canning delves deep into the high-profile racketeering trial of Sean Combs. Joined by NBC News legal analyst Danny Savalos and correspondent Chloe Melas, the discussion navigates through intense courtroom drama, witness testimonies, and emerging issues that could influence the trial's outcome. The episode also touches upon concurrent legal battles, notably Harvey Weinstein's retrial, highlighting the complexities of managing multiple high-stakes cases simultaneously.

---

Court Proceedings and Witness Testimony

The episode opens with Andrea Canning outlining the day's courtroom activities, highlighting a half-day session marked by significant developments. A critical focus is placed on Jane, a witness and alleged victim testifying under a pseudonym, who returned to the stand for further cross-examination by the defense.

Chloe Melas provides insight into the defense's strategy:

"The defense is almost trying to build a timeline, Andrea, of her hotel nights with Combs using photos, text messages. In these photos, she looks like she's having a good time on a hotel night."
(02:54)

The defense aims to portray Jane as having agency in her interactions with Combs, presenting evidence such as matching shorts and erection pills to suggest consensual and planned encounters. Chloe elaborates:

"Jane testifying that she wanted them to be able to get ready to perform, but she says so that it could get over faster. And we've heard that during her testimony previously that she would initiate sex very quickly so that it could all be done."
(03:22)

Jane's testimony reveals a complex relationship dynamic characterized by mutual jealousy and control. She admits to setting up hotel nights to surprise Combs and expresses feelings of vulnerability despite the defense's attempts to demonstrate her autonomy.

---

Defense vs. Prosecution Strategies

The prosecution continues to argue that Jane was coerced into the troubling hotel nights, emphasizing the detrimental impact on her life. In contrast, the defense highlights Jane's active role and the presence of an "undertone" of Combs wanting her participation, questioning whether this suffices to establish sex trafficking charges.

Danny Savalos summarizes:

"According to the timeline the defense is presenting through text messages, Jane seemed to have some control over when she did the hotel nights."
(04:27)

Chloe Melas discusses conflicting evidence:

"You have heard multiple times during Jane's time on the stand that she wanted the gifts that some of these other girls were getting. She wanted the trips."
(06:19)

Jane reveals emotional turmoil stemming from Combs' actions, including jealousy over Combs' relationships with other women, notably Gina and Caresha (Young Miami). These admissions add layers to the narrative, challenging the jury to discern the true nature of their relationship.

---

Juror Issues and Trial Impact

A significant turning point in the episode is the revelation of a potential juror issue. The judge addressed concerns regarding juror number six, who is suspected of not being forthcoming during the selection process.

Andrea Canning explains:

"Apparently it relates to juror number six, and apparently it has to do with the juror supposedly not being forthcoming."
(11:30)

Legal analyst Danny Savalos elaborates on the uncertainty surrounding the issue:

"They don't know the clear legal answer either in the case law or the rules of criminal procedure."
(12:47)

The prosecution seeks to further investigate the matter, while the defense may argue that the juror's removal is unjustified. This development introduces uncertainty into the trial's progression, potentially delaying verdicts and affecting both current and related cases.

---

Parallel High-Profile Trials: Harvey Weinstein's Retrial

The episode also touches upon the tumultuous retrial of Harvey Weinstein in lower Manhattan, drawing parallels to Sean Combs' case. The Weinstein trial has been fraught with internal conflicts among jurors, including a reported fistfight within the jury room, exacerbating tensions and complicating the trial's conclusion.

Andrea Canning reflects on the unprecedented nature of the situation:

"I've never heard of jurors almost coming to blows like this. But I guess there's a first for everything."
(16:03)

Danny Savalos notes the judge's response:

"The judge has refused to call a mistrial and the jury was sent home today and they'll come back Thursday morning to keep deliberating on the third count."
(16:24)

The intertwining issues of juror misconduct and high-profile defendants underscore the challenges faced by the judicial system in handling cases that captivate and divide public attention.

---

Insights and Conclusions

This episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly provides an in-depth examination of the Sean Combs racketeering trial, highlighting the intricate dance between prosecution and defense, the emotional complexities of witness testimonies, and the unforeseen complications arising from juror behavior. The concurrent spotlight on Harvey Weinstein's retrial serves to illustrate the broader implications of managing high-stakes legal battles within the public eye.

Key takeaways include:

• Complex Relationship Dynamics: Jane's testimony reveals a multifaceted relationship with Combs, blurring lines between consensual interactions and potential coercion.
• Juror Integrity Issues: The emergence of concerns regarding juror number six introduces uncertainty and could have significant repercussions on the trial's outcome.
• Impact of Parallel Trials: The challenges faced in the Weinstein retrial reflect potential pitfalls that could also influence Sean Combs' case, particularly regarding juror conduct and trial management.

As the trials progress, the episode underscores the delicate balance the legal system must maintain in ensuring fair and unbiased proceedings amidst intense media scrutiny and public interest.

---

Notable Quotes

• Chloe Melas:

  "The defense is almost trying to build a timeline... in these photos, she looks like she's having a good time on a hotel night."
  (02:54)

• Danny Savalos:

  "According to the timeline the defense is presenting through text messages, Jane seemed to have some control over when she did the hotel nights."
  (04:27)

• Andrea Canning:

  "Apparently it relates to juror number six, and apparently it has to do with the juror supposedly not being forthcoming."
  (11:30)

• Chloe Melas:

  "You have heard multiple times during Jane's time on the stand that she wanted the gifts that some of these other girls were getting."
  (06:19)

• Andrea Canning:

  "I've never heard of jurors almost coming to blows like this. But I guess there's a first for everything."
  (16:03)

---

Conclusion

This episode masterfully navigates the complexities of the Sean Combs trial, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the legal maneuvers, witness dynamics, and juror-related challenges that define this high-stakes case. With expert analysis and firsthand reporting, Dateline: True Crime Weekly continues to be an essential resource for true crime enthusiasts seeking in-depth coverage of the most compelling criminal cases.

Transcript

[Chloe Melas]

Real businesses like Malibu Apothecary rely on.

[Andrea Canning]

Spectrum to keep them connected.

[Chloe Melas]

We're a fragrance company, but we also have a lot of technology that we use. Spectrum is really the backbone of any of the business we do here. Having a reliable, fast Internet service that can fit my budget is really great. I traded a 9 to 5 for 5 to 9. It's a lot of work, but I love it. Spectrum Business Internet starts at $40 a month when bundled.

[Andrea Canning]

Learn [e-mail] business restrictions apply.

[Chloe Melas]

Service is not available in all areas in the summer.

[Dalvette Quince]

All of Oregon is our playground thanks to our incredible park system. That's why it's so cool that Oregon Lottery gameplay like video lottery or cash Pop helps support tons of parks projects statewide like accessible trails at Silver Falls State park or upgrades to your favorite dog park in Newburgh. It's just one way a little lottery play for many Oregonians can add up to a lot of good the Oregon Lottery. Together we do good things. Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only. Must be 18 or older to play. Now more than ever, Lowes knows you don't just want a low price, you want the lowest price. And with our lowest price guarantee, you can count on us for competitive prices on all your home improvement projects. If you find a qualifying lower price somewhere else on the same item, we'll match it Lowe's we help you save price Match applies to same item current price at qualifying retailers. Exclusions and terms apply. Learn how we'll match price@lowe's.com lowest price guarantee.

[Danny Savalos]

This is On Trial, a special series from Dateline True Crime Weekly bringing you daily coverage from the Sean Combs racketeering trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. I'm Andrea Canning and it's Wednesday, June 11th. Just a heads up. In this episode, we're going to be talking about some graphic details and harrowing subject matter. Today was a half day in court. There seems to be an issue with one of the jurors brewing behind closed doors, meaning it's under seal for the moment. It required both sides to do some research. More on that in the second part of the episode. Meanwhile, Jane, a witness and alleged victim testifying under a pseudonym, returned to the stand for more cross examination by the defense team. NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas was at the courthouse earlier, but she's actually up at 30 Rock right now as she juggles news breaking in two high profile trials this week. Hey Chloe.

[Chloe Melas]

Hey Andrea.

[Danny Savalos]

So you're covering both Sean Combs and Harvey Weinstein, very busy that I am.

[Chloe Melas]

Lots of things happening.

[Danny Savalos]

Okay, so today, let's talk about Sean Combs. The defense is asking Jane to retell some of the story she told last week when the prosecution was questioning her. The defense is now trying to add some context.

[Chloe Melas]

The defense is almost trying to build a timeline, Andrea, of her hotel nights with Combs using photos, text messages. And in these photos, she looks like she's having a good time on a hotel night. She's actually out with Combs dining at no Boot, which is like a really big celebrity hotspot. You know, a lot of paparazzi. And another time, there are rose petals on the bed.

[Danny Savalos]

The defense also highlighted what Jane did to contribute to these hotel nights.

[Chloe Melas]

That's right. The defense saying that sometimes she would get matching shorts for these escorts and erection pills. Jane testifying that she wanted them to be able to get ready to perform, but she says so that it could get over faster. And we've heard that during her testimony previously that she would initiate sex very quickly so that it could all be done.

[Danny Savalos]

She testified as well that she would set up some of these hotel nights on her own to surprise Sean Combs.

[Chloe Melas]

We've heard that. That she would reach out to some of these escorts, which, again, it makes it really complicated, in my opinion, for the jury, because the prosecution is trying to prove she was forced to participate in these terrible nights that she has, you know, nightmares over. That has essentially ruined her life. But Jane testified that the only reason that she would ever go out and find these escorts on her own was because there was an undertone of Combs wanting that. But is an undertone enough to prove sex trafficking?

[Danny Savalos]

According to the timeline the defense is presenting through text messages, Jane seemed to have some control over when she did the hotel nights.

[Chloe Melas]

This is now the second day that we've seen the defense try to paint that picture. Andrea. In one text message, Jane writing that she's not in the mood for a hotel night. And Combs saying, all good. Not writing back. You know, you better do this or I won't pay your rent. I mean, obviously these are text messages that the defense has cherry picked up. But at the same time, you could say the same for the prosecution. Right. We've heard several voice notes played by the prosecution in which Combs seems confrontational. But Tenny Garagos, the attorney for Combs leading this cross examination, saying that the prosecution cherry picked those voice notes, that there were potentially thousands of those sent during the course of their relationship.

[Danny Savalos]

Jane testified about something she called the hotel night card. What did she mean by that?

[Chloe Melas]

Jane testified that she could actually call off a hotel night if she was mad with Combs, and that one time she found out that Combs was on vacation with another woman. Remember all of this undercurrent of jealousy. And Jane testified that she threw down the hotel card, the metaphorical card, as a way to get back at him. So during her testimony, Tenny Garago sang, you said, if you don't get your ass out of that island, we're not going to have a party. She answered, yes, Chloe, you mentioned jealousy.

[Danny Savalos]

There was apparently a lot of jealousy in their relationship, according to Jane. She testified that Combs would get upset if he thought she was cheating on him, but at the same time, he considered himself single, as we heard on one of his voice notes. Jane also testified about her own jealousy over the gifts and vacations that Combs was giving to other women he was dating.

[Chloe Melas]

And one of those women, her name is Gina, and she is somebody that was rumored to be testifying, but it doesn't look like that's going to be happening. And Gina was a big source of tension for Jane during her open relationship with Combs. And there was another woman, Caresha, who is a rapper who performs under the name Young Miami, and she was this public facing girlfriend. She actually went to the Met Gala. I mean, you can go and see tons of paparazzi pictures.

[Danny Savalos]

Jane has read aloud text messages where she's upset with Combs for posting pictures from his vacations with Caresha because she wants to be the one to go on those vacations.

[Chloe Melas]

You have heard multiple times during Jane's time on the stand that she wanted the gifts that some of these other girls were getting. She wanted the trips. And in one exchange in particular today, Tenny Garrow goes saying, and it's not until you see him with Caresha and Turks that you tell him that you didn't want to do what you did. And her answer was, it was heartfelt and emotional for me. He was on a beautiful vacation and I was recovering from having sex with three men. It was very hurtful in that sense, how he made me feel after doing something like that.

[Danny Savalos]

Another thing the defense asked Jane about was what would happen if she tried to break up with Combs.

[Chloe Melas]

This is a part that I find to be incredibly confusing because the prosecution stance is that she was not free to break up with Combs because she was essentially going to be homeless. He was paying her rent, she had a young child, and he put her in a very vulnerable situation. But during cross examination, you have Tenny Gargo saying he said that you were welcome to leave the relationship. Is that what he said? And she responded today, I believe so. So basically she would say, all right, I'm going to break up with you. And Combs would then respond, all right, go ahead and do it.

[Danny Savalos]

But she testified that he didn't make it easy for her to walk away.

[Chloe Melas]

Correct. So one of the answers that she gave today on the stand was that although he would say that his actions were very different, in one exchange, she testified that she would say, okay, we're breaking up. And then he would blow up my phone and then we would patch things up.

[Danny Savalos]

Is there more cross for Jane tomorrow?

[Chloe Melas]

Tomorrow could be her last day on the stand, but the prosecution has a few more witnesses and they're not going to be done until next week.

[Danny Savalos]

When we come back, NBC News legal analyst Danny Savalos will be here to explain what we know about a juror issue that's looming in the background of testimony this week. He's also going to tie it into the jury drama that's going on in a different high profile trial right around the corner.

[Dalvette Quince]

Tires matter. They're the only part of your vehicle that touches the road. Tread confidently with new tires from Tire Rack. Whether you're looking for expert recommendations or know exactly what you want, tire Rack makes it easy, fast, free shipping, free road hazard protection and convenient installation options. Go to tirerack.com to see Tire test results, tire ratings and consumer reviews. And be sure to check out all the special offers. Tirerack.com the way Tire buying should be. Hi, I'm Dalvette Quince. One way to help manage type 2 diabetes is to regularly exercise. My exercise program can help get you into a routine that works for you. Keep in mind managing blood sugar also takes the right diet.

[Chloe Melas]

Hi, I'm celebrity chef Franklin Becker.

[Dalvette Quince]

Ever since I was diagnosed with type.

[Andrea Canning]

2 diabetes, I've adapted my cooking style without sacrificing flavor.

[Dalvette Quince]

If you want to learn more tips about diet and exercise, visit mytype2transformation.com.

[Franklin Becker]

What makes a leader? It's a tough question, but this we know for sure. True leaders lead by example. They take risks and plunge into life with determination. And for real leaders, there's a symbol of high adrenaline and high achievement, the Range Rover Sport. The Range Rover Sport redefines sporting luxury with a dramatic modern design that meets a distinctive sporting character. And a well appointed cabin brings a sense of occasion to every drive. The active noise cancellation feature filters out unwanted sound, making the cabin a cocoon like sanctuary. Optional PM2.5 filtration reduces odors, bacteria and allergens while CO2 management enhances the wellness of everyone on board. Plus, you can curate the mood of every journey with configurable cabin lighting and bring a hint of refinement to every drive with optional 22 way adjustable heated and ventilated electric memory front seats with massage function. Build your Range Rover Sport@range Rover.com USSport that's Range Rover.com US Sport.

[Danny Savalos]

Welcome back everybody. And hello to you, Danny.

[Andrea Canning]

Hello. Thanks for having me.

[Danny Savalos]

So, Danny, up front, we don't know much about what's going on with this juror issue the prosecution raised this week. Can you tell us what we do know?

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. So not a lot. Earlier this week, the judge called the attorneys and said before the jury came in, let me see everybody in the robing room for a little bit. And the robing room, even a meeting there would still be on the record, but the judge can also seal that. So even if you order what are called the dailies, the transcripts, you're not going to get a copy of that discussion. And this is a highly sensitive issue.

[Danny Savalos]

Okay. And there was a mention of juror number six by the judge.

[Andrea Canning]

Yes. Apparently it relates to juror number six, and apparently it has to do with the juror supposedly not being forthcoming. And even that could be a lot of different things. It could be on the jury questionnaire. It could be that during voir dire he was asked a question, he or she was asked a question and didn't give an honest answer. But for me, Andrea, the question that raises is how did this come to the attention of anybody at this stage in the trial? That's the real story. Not even so much that he may not have given a truthful or complete answer in voir dire or on his question. I will be very interested to see how this came to light.

[Danny Savalos]

The prosecution said it wanted to keep looking into the matter further.

[Andrea Canning]

That's right. And it must be a complicated issue because it seems from both counsel and the judge that they don't know the clear legal answer either in the case law or the rules of criminal procedure.

[Danny Savalos]

Okay, so the judge is giving not only the prosecution but the defense time to figure this out.

[Andrea Canning]

Exactly. They're going to brief it, which means each side is going to do legal research and submit a written brief on the issue, whatever it is. In addition, if the defense is claiming that the juror is being removed for an improper reason and that this whole lack of forthcoming, this Lack of honesty argument by the government is just a pretext for removing a juror that they don't like. Well, they're certainly going to raise that issue in their briefing as well.

[Danny Savalos]

Hmm. This is very interesting. I'm curious now. And so the judge is giving everyone the weekend to work on this. So if we do hear something, probably won't be until next week.

[Andrea Canning]

Probably not. And one of the things you can always tell is that, you know, the arguments each side are going to make for either keeping or removing the juror tells you indirectly how each side feels about a particular juror. This happens actually fairly often, that a juror might be nodding off or falling asleep, and that can be grounds for excusing the juro. But what you find out right away is one side wants to get rid of that juror, and the other side is fighting to keep that juror. And that tells you how they feel about that particular juror, which, by the way, Andrea, is totally astrology, because we often never have any idea which way a juror is leaning until we speak to them after the verdict.

[Danny Savalos]

So true. Even if they're falling asleep. Even if they're falling asleep, you still don't know. So there is another celebrity trial going on in lower Manhattan right now around the corner in state court, and that is Harvey Weinstein's retrial on sex crimes he was convicted of in 20. Though that conviction was overturned last spring, testimony in this new trial went on for six weeks. And now there's drama going on right as we speak.

[Andrea Canning]

There is so much drama going on in the Weinstein case. You have a conviction on one of the. We'll just say victims. You have an acquittal as to one of the other victims, and you have basically a hung jury as to the third, which, when you think about this case, the nature of it is that these were three discrete victim stories. So it's entirely possible that the jury would find one victim very credible, another victim not credible, and then a third maybe they're not sure about. So what we've heard, you know, it's not uncommon for jurors to disagree with each other, but it sounds like these jurors are really getting in each other's faces, and it's becoming a problem such that the judge has actually become concerned about it.

[Danny Savalos]

Yeah, I mean, there's talk of screaming and yelling. One of the jurors said to another one, I'll meet you outside.

[Andrea Canning]

I mean, my goodness, listen, there is always juror hijinks. I mean, so much of what a judge does during a trial is manage some of the silly things that jurors do. On the whole, jurors are noble in their pursuit. They do hard work and we really appreciate them. But you do get some rather eccentric characters. But I have to say I've never heard of jurors almost coming to blows like this. But I guess there's a first for everything.

[Danny Savalos]

Actually, Danny, I was on a case where we interviewed the jurors and they said there was an actual fist fight in the jury room, which was shocking. So the judge has refused to call a mistrial and the jury was sent home today and they'll come back Thursday morning to keep deliberating on the third count?

[Andrea Canning]

Yes, I mean, we assume they're gonna keep deliberating. It may be the case, for example, that the attorneys might argue, hey, we should just go straight to a mistrial. We can't bring these jurors back if they're gonna literally fight each other physically.

[Danny Savalos]

Of course we should say these charges are for both Weinstein and Combs different cases. And they are both denying what they've been accused of. All right, Danny, thank you so much. Going on in lower Manhattan.

[Andrea Canning]

Even for the high profile world of lower Manhattan trials, this is exceptionally high profile.

[Danny Savalos]

We are stocked and thank you, Chloe. We will see you back here tomorrow.

[Chloe Melas]

Of course. See you tomorrow.

[Danny Savalos]

Thanks for listening. We'll be back with a new episode tomorrow. 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. My uncontrollable movements called TD tardive dyskinesia felt embarrassing. I felt like disconnecting. I asked my doctor about treating my TD and learned about Ingreza, a prescription medicine clinically proven for reducing TD in adults. That's always one capsule once daily and number one prescribed. People taking in can stay on most.

[Dalvette Quince]

Mental health meds in can cause depression, suicidal thoughts or actions in patients with Huntington's disease. Call your doctor if you become depressed, have sudden behavior or mood changes or suicidal thoughts. Don't take in serious side effects. May include allergic reactions like sudden potentially fatal swelling and hives, sleepiness the most common side effect and heart rhythm problems. Know how in affects you before operating a car or dangerous machinery. Report fevers, stiff muscles or problems thinking as these might be life threatening. Shaking, stiffness, drooling, and trouble with moving or balance may occur.

[Danny Savalos]

Take control by asking your doctor about Ingrezza.

[Dalvette Quince]

Learn more at ingrezza. Com that's I N G R E Z Z A com in.