On the 25th day of the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial, tensions inside the courtroom rose sharply as U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian opened the session by addressing a breach of court protocol. An online article had surfaced, seemingly based on sealed proceedings. Subramanian, visibly angry, demanded explanations from both the prosecution and defense. He made stern threats of civil or criminal contempt charges against any of those who were involved in violating the gag order already issued during the trial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey and lead defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo were both warned that any further leaks would be on their shoulders.
Trial Timeline Nears Critical Stage
Comey revealed that the government expects to rest its case as early as tomorrow, with a slight possibility of extending into Friday. The defense estimated it would need two to five days to present its case, though that timeline remains flexible. Judge Subramanian indicated that jury instructions could begin as early as next week.
Meanwhile, leftover concerns from previous courtroom developments resurfaced. Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro raised questions about how Juror No. 6’s sudden dismissal was communicated. Subramanian confirmed the remaining jurors were told only that the juror was excused and instructed not to discuss the matter. A pending issue with Juror No. 7 was scheduled for a private session after court.
Fifth Amendment Invocation and Immunity
Brendan Paul, Combs’s former assistant, initially appeared on the witness stand to claim his Fifth Amendment right, not wanting to incriminate himself. But once the court provided immunity, he will have to testify later today, with full legal immunity at stake for his honesty.
Special Agent Testifies on Evidence Review
The key highlight of today’s proceedings was the return of DeLeassa Penland, a special agent affiliated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Although she did not participate directly in the Combs investigation, the special agent testifies regarding her analysis of travel records and financial statements tied to the case. Her role centered on validating the prosecution’s narrative that Combs paid for travel arrangements tied to alleged acts of prostitution.
One notable instance involved a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to New York in August 2009 for a sex worker reportedly employed by Combs and Cassie Ventura. According to Penland, those travel expenses were charged to Combs’ American Express card. Other testimony linked the same credit card to extensive hotel charges, including a $46,786 repair bill from the Intercontinental Hotel in 2012.
As the defense continued its effort to cast doubt on the prosecution’s framing of the Combs-Ventura relationship, it introduced more text messages illustrating emotional highs between the two. One example, from June 16, 2023, had Ventura calling Combs an “extraordinary man” and expressing her excitement about having a child with him one day. The defense also highlighted a playful exchange from October 2013, when Ventura agreed to meet Combs at the Mondrian Hotel, and a separate message where she proposed they role-play strangers at the Hermitage Hotel, complete with a safe word “pineapple.” These messages, the defense argues, point to a mutual, complex relationship rather than one-sided exploitation.
Another chat showed the couple discussing plans for a “freak off” on March 4, 2016, which ultimately didn’t happen due to Ventura’s errands. That missed encounter occurred just a day before the videotaped incident of violence that would later become a critical element of the case.
Cross-Examination and Evidentiary Challenges
In cross-examination, Combs’ attorney Teny Geragos tried to discredit the prosecution’s evidence by pointing out discrepancies or lacunae in the data charts. Geragos hinted at the fact that some hotel stay entries did not mention Ventura’s name, suggesting incomplete or speculative data. Penland acknowledged these limitations, explaining that names were only included when specifically documented.
The defense worked to shift the narrative, arguing that the so-called “freak offs” were consensual and sometimes enthusiastically initiated by Ventura. A series of text messages were introduced into the record, with Ventura reportedly expressing affection and interest in continuing the encounters. These communications, which were not included in the government’s evidence chart, were used to argue that the encounters were mutually planned and desired.
Private Video Evidence Reviewed by Jury
In a continuation of earlier testimony, the jury watched an undisclosed video through headphones, likely explicit in nature. The footage itself remained concealed from public view, but faint audio picked up by courtroom microphones suggested heightened emotional or physical interactions rather than mundane exchanges.
Final Words on Today’s Testimony
As the trial nears a turning point, the testimony from DeLeassa Penland remains central to the prosecution’s efforts to solidify claims that Combs funded interstate travel for sexual activities. However, delays due to extended questioning and uncalled witnesses, such as Brendan Paul, have pushed the likely end of the prosecution’s case to Friday. After today’s session concluded, the jury and the public were dismissed while legal teams met privately with Judge Subramanian to resolve ongoing procedural matters. As the special agent testifies, the courtroom is left to weigh heavily documented expenses against text messages painting a more complex, personal relationship between Combs and Ventura. What follows in the coming days will hinge on whether the jury sees these encounters as exploitation or mutual agreement, framed in large part by how effectively each side handles the evidence presented.
