Just before closing arguments in the high-profile trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, United States prosecutors have pulled back on some of the most serious allegations tied to his racketeering case, according to TMZ.
In a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, the government said it would no longer proceed with claims of kidnapping, attempted arson, or aiding and abetting sex trafficking.
These accusations had been presented earlier as parts of the racketeering conspiracy charge. The letter stated, “The government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability, so instructions are no longer necessary.”
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges including racketeering and sex trafficking, chose not to testify in his defense. Speaking briefly in court, he said, “We have discussed it thoroughly. That is my decision. That is totally my decision, my decision. I am making it.”
When asked by the judge how he was feeling, Combs replied, “I am doing great, thank you, your honor.” He also complimented the judge’s handling of the trial, saying, “You are doing an excellent job.”
The prosecutors’ latest move follows testimony about an alleged incident involving Diddy’s former employee, Capricorn Clark, who was reportedly locked in a room and made to take a lie detector test. There were also previous claims suggesting Diddy was behind a car fire involving rapper Kid Cudi. However, prosecutors did not directly link him to the fire during the trial and have now dropped those charges.
While the government is withdrawing parts of its original case, it is still pressing ahead with the main racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
It asked the court to make sure jurors understand that a woman giving consent in the past does not cancel her right to withdraw it later. They also argued that being paid for sex or not being physically restrained does not mean sex trafficking cannot occur.
Diddy’s legal team is reportedly preparing to argue that federal agents have focused too much on his personal life instead of national security matters.
They are expected to bring up the Middle East crisis in their closing argument, claiming the investigation was a distraction from more serious threats. One source close to the defense described the case as “bedroom policing,” saying that national security agencies should focus on real threats instead of celebrity scandals.
