Day 24 of the Diddy Trial: Two New Witnesses Shine Light on Evidence, Juror Turmoil

The 24th day of Diddy’s federal trial in the Southern District of New York was jam-packed with two new witnesses and had mayhem on the jury panel. While the ongoing testimonies added more artillery to the prosecution’s side, the court hearing continued with a series of exciting events. 

Dismissal of Juror and Early Morning Courtroom Drama

The day began with U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian dismissing Juror No. 6, a 41-year-old Black male, for inconsistencies between the juror’s answers as to where he lives. The judge wondered if the juror was entirely honest during voir dire regarding whether he lives in New York City or New Jersey. While Subramanian acknowledged the defense’s objection to the removal of a juror of color, he concluded that the integrity of the trial demanded his replacement with an alternate.

A white male accountant from Westchester County was sworn in from the alternate pool to reconstruct the 12-member jury panel. That change came as a question mark hung over another juror, who was questioned Friday for a possible unauthorized conversation with a co-worker. That juror surrendered his telephone to the judge, and questioning was to resume after witness testimony.

Ananya Sankar: Summary Witness Unpacks the Evidence

Prosecutors called Ananya Sankar, a paralegal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the first of two new witnesses. Sankar’s assignment was to summarize a large volume of evidence garnered from digital devices, most prominently those belonging to Kristina Khorram, Combs’ former chief of staff.

Sankar testified that she scrutinized call records, text messages, and documents extracted from Khorram’s telephone. Among the highlights were texts about preparation of Combs’ hotel stays with special requests, including food, beverages, and sometimes male escorts. Other texts revealed instructions to assistants to carry large amounts of cash, particulars the prosecution emphasized to support their case that Combs oversaw a coordinated criminal enterprise.

Sankar also referred to texts regarding purchasing drugs. One text exchange from November 2022 showed Combs asking for “15 pills of molly” and instructing Khorram not to text about it anymore. The prosecution used this evidence to bring attention to accusations of illicit activity between a number of staff members.

Additional messages showed reactions within Combs’ inner circle following the November 2023 civil lawsuit by Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend. In one message, Combs was admonished by Khorram for not being forthcoming, saying that his lack of communication had worsened their overall legal predicament. 

Testimony Touches on Violence and Blackmail

Text messages between Khorram and various women, including Cassie Ventura and a second accuser who goes by the name of “Jane,” were presented as evidence. They documented the abuse, manipulation, and threats that were allegedly taking place. Ventura texted about being “dragged by her hair,” while Jane discussed being drugged repeatedly and threatened with the release of sex tapes. These kinds of messages were meant to establish a pattern of coercion and exploitation.

Audio recordings of conversations involving Combs and Jane were also played in court. In one, Jane discussed being very emotionally distressed, describing how Ventura’s public lawsuit mirrored what had happened to her. The prosecution appeared to be offering this coincidence as a sort of corroboration among the accusers.

Deleassa Penland: Second New Witness Examines Travel Records

Following Sankar’s departure, the government summoned its second fresh witness: U.S. Attorney Deleassa Penland, a special agent. Though she did not take part in the original investigation, she was tasked with going over information to present at trial. She testified regarding records having to do with Jules Theodore, an escort who was hired for meetings with Combs and Ventura.

Penland led the jury through a travel itinerary and matching messages from December 2009, when Combs arranged for Theodore to fly from New York to Los Angeles and back. The records appeared to support interstate prostitution charges. The dates matched messages in which Combs was arranging logistics for having events at the London Hotel in Los Angeles.

Penland took the stand methodically to advance the government’s racketeering and trafficking charges.

Closing Moments and Next Steps

As the day continued, Judge Subramania was to resume questioning of the juror who was once under suspicion of outside communication. Both sides were left to consider the mounting evidence and the influence the two new witnesses will have on the jury’s mindset.

Day 24 of the trial added more wrinkles, from internal jury concerns to increasing, more complex evidence. With two more witnesses helping the prosecution connect the dots across years of alleged corruption, the trajectory of the trial appears to be coming to a head. All eyes will be on the defense’s response and whether future testimony will continue along the lines of an organized criminal enterprise.