Maurene R. Comey

Trial 12025 Federal TrialMay 5, 2025 – Jul 2, 2025

Maurene R. Comey was a prosecutor who examined George Kaplan and Joseph Cerciello on direct and raised an opening-language objection that the parties resolved through revised wording.

Jury Selection Day 1

May 5, 2025

ProceduralJury-Selection Planning Conference10lines spoken

ProceduralVictim 3 Witness-Availability Conference11lines spoken

Summary

The court addressed uncertainty over whether the government would call victim three and directed continued contact efforts while leaving open further argument later in the week.

Jury Selection Day 4

May 9, 2025

ProceduralEmployee Statement Admissibility Ruling8lines spoken

Summary

The court overruled an objection to a proposed employee statement and recorded agreements on opening demonstratives and limits on certain cross-examination.

ProceduralVictim 1 Cross-Examination Admissibility Argument8lines spoken

Summary

The court deferred ruling on proposed cross-examination of victim number 1 about prior incidents, invited further briefing, and resolved the parties' agreement on specified InterContinental Hotel videos.

Day 5

May 12, 2025

ProceduralPretrial Applications and Jury Impanelment6lines spoken

Summary

The court maintained its denial of the Batson application and impaneled and swore the jury.

DirectDaniel Phillip — DirectDaniel PhillipMaurene R. Comey267lines spoken

Summary

Daniel Phillip described paid sexual encounters involving Casandra Ventura and Sean Combs, alleged directions and recording by Combs, and alleged violence against Ventura.

sidebarWitness Consultation RequestDuring Daniel Phillip — Direct6lines spoken

Summary

The court addressed a witness's request to speak with counsel and paused for counsel to consult the witness's attorney.

CrossDaniel Phillip — CrossDaniel PhillipXavier R. Donaldson13lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel tested Daniel Phillip's account of the first Cassie Ventura encounter and a prior law-enforcement interview; the court barred outside consultation while his testimony continued.

sidebarWitness Consultation During CrossDuring Daniel Phillip — Cross3lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed whether a witness could consult with counsel about testimony while cross-examination was ongoing.

ProceduralEnd-of-Day Witness and Evidentiary Logistics8lines spoken

Day 6

May 13, 2025

CrossDaniel Phillip — CrossDaniel PhillipXavier R. Donaldson14lines spoken

Summary

Daniel Phillip resisted parts of the defense's consent and credibility questioning, reaffirmed an alleged assault, and did not recall prior statements about jealousy.

sidebarDocument Visibility Near JuryDuring Daniel Phillip — Cross3lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed whether papers used during cross-examination were visible to a juror.

RedirectDaniel Phillip — RedirectDaniel PhillipMaurene R. Comey57lines spoken

Summary

Phillip clarified his account of Combs's alleged directions during sexual activity and gave further testimony about an incident involving Cassie; the court struck part of one answer.

RedirectDaniel Phillip — RedirectDaniel PhillipMaurene R. Comey3lines spoken

Summary

Phillip explained his purpose in sending a text message, and the court deferred a Rule 615 dispute over Alex Fine's presence until the jury briefly left.

DirectCasandra Ventura Direct — Return to Open CourtCasandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson18lines spoken

Summary

Ventura described alleged control of freak-offs, escort arrangements, drugs, recordings, and a Century City hotel incident; the court provisionally restricted press access to video exhibits.

Day 7

May 14, 2025

ProceduralWitness Consultation Proceedings12lines spoken

Summary

The court directed the parties to propose a narrow instruction on witness consultations with counsel and deferred exhibit-completeness discussions until lunch.

ProceduralDefense Exhibit Disclosure Dispute19lines spoken

Summary

The court required the defense to disclose relevant marked exhibits before cross-examination of Ms. Ventura, while reserving the broader Rule 16 dispute for later.

DirectCasandra Ventura — DirectCasandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson17lines spoken

Summary

Ventura testified about the InterContinental incident, escort arrangements, alleged threats involving recorded sexual material, alleged violence, and related exhibits.

DirectCasandra Ventura — Direct (Resumed)Casandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson3lines spoken

Summary

Ventura testified about alleged assaults, injuries, staff and security involvement, threats involving recorded sexual material, and exhibits including photographs, messages, and sealed video stills.

DirectCasandra Ventura — Direct (Resumed)Casandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson5lines spoken

Summary

Ventura described alleged 2018 rape, drug dependency, texts, treatment, and a $20 million civil settlement; the court addressed Rule 412 issues before cross.

sidebarRule 412 and Cross TimingDuring Casandra Ventura — Direct (Resumed)5lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed potential Rule 412 objections to questions about the witness's relationships and whether cross-examination should continue that day.

ProceduralRule 412 Cross-Examination Hearing25lines spoken

Summary

The court set an expedited process to review disputed cross-examination exhibits and determine whether any Rule 412 sealed hearing was needed.

Day 8

May 15, 2025

ProceduralRule 412 Evidentiary Ruling and Exhibit Disclosures9lines spoken

Summary

The court excluded challenged text-message content under Rule 412, while allowing other relationship questioning and possible redactions; it also pressed the parties to resolve defense-exhibit disclosure disputes.

CrossCasandra Ventura — Cross ResumesCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao5lines spoken

Summary

Defense cross-examined Ventura with messages about freak-offs, drug use, and relationship conflicts; she gave several qualified answers and the court set limits for completing the cross.

Day 9

May 16, 2025

RecrossCasandra Ventura — RecrossCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao13lines spoken

Summary

Ventura confirmed the timing of an InterContinental settlement, and the court clarified the scope of anticipated Dawn Richard testimony.

ProceduralHearing on Admissibility of Dawn Richard Threat Testimony35lines spoken

Summary

The court reserved a relevance and prejudice objection to anticipated Dawn Richard testimony and ordered weekend disclosure of the following week's expected witnesses.

Day 10

May 19, 2025

sidebarRedirect Scope on Lawsuit Reasons5lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed the permissible scope of redirect after cross-examination challenged the witness's credibility and motives for communicating with and suing the defendant.

Day 11

May 20, 2025

RecrossSharay Dashawn Hayes — RecrossSharay Dashawn HayesXavier R. Donaldson3lines spoken

Summary

Hayes qualified his interpretation of Ventura's engagement during one encounter, and the court resolved that upcoming physical evidence would be displayed rather than passed among jurors.

sidebarPhysical Evidence DisplayDuring Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Recross3lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed whether jurors should handle physical evidence, with the government stating it would display items rather than pass them out.

DirectGerard Gannon — DirectGerard GannonMadison R. Smyser4lines spoken

Summary

HSI agent Gerard Gannon described the 2 Star Island search, evidence-handling procedures, and firearm-related items recovered from a closet; the court admitted numerous search exhibits.

Day 12

May 21, 2025

ProceduralEvidentiary Hearing on Witness Testimony and Exhibits10lines spoken

Summary

The court set limits for Dr. Hughes's expert testimony, preserved the defense objection, and deferred rulings on disputed exhibits.

CrossDawn Hughes — Cross ResumesDawn HughesJonathan Bach3lines spoken

Summary

Hughes described the multi-method approach to forensic psychological evaluations and defined malingering during cross-examination.

DirectGeorge Kaplan — DirectGeorge KaplanMaurene R. Comey5lines spoken

Summary

Kaplan said he intended to invoke the right against self-incrimination and acknowledged the terms of a possible immunity order.

ProceduralImmunity Hearing for George Kaplan6lines spoken

Summary

The court executed George Kaplan's immunity order and deferred argument over the proposed admission of Government Exhibit 629-A after the defense raised a hearsay objection.

ProceduralHearing on Expert-Bias Training Document5lines spoken

Summary

The court excluded Dr. Hughes's training document but allowed the defense to use it in questioning her and to refresh her recollection.

CrossDawn Hughes — Cross ResumesDawn HughesJonathan Bach5lines spoken

Summary

Hughes was questioned about her expert-preparation meetings and consultation on filings; the court allowed general questioning but barred the briefs' contents.

sidebarExpert Preparation QuestioningDuring Dawn Hughes — Cross Resumes3lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed questioning about the expert's preparation meetings and how the government could provide context for those meetings.

sidebarExpert Consultation on Government BriefsDuring Dawn Hughes — Cross Resumes2lines spoken

Summary

The parties debated whether cross-examination could address Dr. Hughes's consultation on government filings and whether that consultation showed bias.

RecrossGeorge Kaplan — RecrossGeorge KaplanJonathan Bach4lines spoken

Summary

The defense emphasized the limits of Dr. Hughes's case-specific review and the distinction between clinical experience and forensic evaluation.

DirectGeorge Kaplan — DirectGeorge KaplanMaurene R. Comey195lines spoken

Summary

Kaplan described hotel setups, cleanup, and two drug pickups he said he performed while working as Combs's assistant.

Day 13

May 22, 2025

ProceduralPretestimony Evidentiary Rulings6lines spoken

Summary

The court set limits on anticipated Mescudi testimony, deferred a text-message ruling pending foundation, and resolved several defense-exhibit issues.

DirectGeorge Kaplan — DirectGeorge KaplanMaurene R. Comey173lines spoken

Summary

Kaplan described cash-handling duties, alleged violence involving Cassie and Gina, and why he later left Combs Enterprises.

CrossGeorge Kaplan — CrossGeorge KaplanMarc A. Agnifilo3lines spoken

Summary

Kaplan described his complicated view of working for Mr. Combs, qualified several prior observations, and said he testified only after being subpoenaed.

RedirectGeorge Kaplan — RedirectGeorge KaplanMaurene R. Comey19lines spoken

Summary

Kaplan explained why two incidents shook him, described reporting them to Kristina Khorram, and said he left because he would not stand by the behavior.

RedirectScott Mescudi — RedirectScott MescudiEmily A. Johnson25lines spoken

Summary

Mescudi reinforced his account of Ventura's reported fear and abuse allegations; the court later struck a Rule 412 question and ruled on disputed defense photographs.

DirectMylah Morales — DirectMylah MoralesMaurene R. Comey128lines spoken

Summary

Morales testified that she heard yelling behind a hotel-room door in 2010 and later saw Ventura injured; she said fear kept her from calling police.

CrossMylah Morales — CrossMylah MoralesAnna M. Estevao8lines spoken

Summary

Morales confirmed she did not see inside the hotel bedroom; the defense introduced photographs and questioned her about media interviews.

RedirectJoshua Croft — RedirectJoshua CroftEmily A. Johnson7lines spoken

Summary

Croft said a separate user partition on B-200 was preserved but not searched until a warrant was obtained; the court then addressed scheduling and defense-access requests.

Day 14

May 27, 2025

ProceduralPretrial Evidentiary Rulings7lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved and deferred several evidentiary disputes before Capricorn Clark testified.

Day 15

May 28, 2025

ProceduralPre-Testimony Evidentiary Rulings32lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved pre-testimony evidentiary disputes, including proposed statements by Ms. Ventura, defense exhibits, and future questioning limits.

RedirectLance Jimenez — RedirectLance JimenezMary C. Slavik5lines spoken

Summary

Jimenez explained why he did not collect a glove and said his efforts to contact Capricorn were not prompted by a DNA report.

DirectDeonte Nash — DirectDeonte NashMaurene R. Comey135lines spoken

Summary

Deonte Nash described alleged threats and control directed at Cassie, an alleged confrontation with Puff at a Vanity Fair party, and decisions affecting Cassie's appearance and music releases.

ProceduralNash State-of-Mind Evidence Hearing15lines spoken

Summary

The court limited proposed state-of-mind testimony, admitted two exhibits subject to foundation, provisionally excluded a third, and approved protections for Mia's pseudonym.

DirectDeonte Nash — Direct ResumesDeonte NashMaurene R. Comey943lines spoken

Summary

Nash described alleged assaults, threats, and efforts by Cassie to hide, then faced initial cross-examination about his relationships and work history.

Day 16

May 29, 2025

ProceduralMia Testimony Evidentiary Rulings4lines spoken

Summary

The court denied the motion to strike Dr. Hughes, set privacy measures for Mia's testimony, and ruled on proposed defense exhibits, including the scrapbook and text messages.

CrossDeonte Nash — CrossDeonte NashXavier R. Donaldson11lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel used prior interviews, texts, and photographs to test Nash's account, his knowledge of Cassie's private life, and his continuing relationships with Cassie and Mr. Combs.

RedirectDeonte Nash — RedirectDeonte NashMaurene R. Comey30lines spoken

Summary

Nash reaffirmed his account of alleged violence and testified that Cassie said she did not want to go to a hotel on her 29th birthday.

DirectMia — DirectMiaMadison R. Smyser6lines spoken

Summary

Mia described her employment under Sean Combs, alleged violence and control affecting her and Casandra Ventura, hotel-night duties, drug use, and alleged sexual assaults.

Day 17

May 30, 2025

ProceduralCounsel Access and Summary-Exhibit Rulings23lines spoken

Summary

The court set additional counsel-access arrangements for Mr. Combs and ruled on revisions and permitted uses of proposed summary exhibits.

CrossMia — CrossMiaBrian Steel14lines spoken

Summary

Defense used Mia's favorable posts and birthday gifts to challenge her account; Mia said they reflected public high points, workplace expectations, and an abusive relationship she found difficult to leave.

Day 18

Jun 2, 2025

CrossMia — CrossMiaBrian Steel5lines spoken

Summary

Defense used Mia's later affectionate messages and a video to challenge her account; Mia said fear, loyalty, and psychological confusion explained the communications, while the court limited portions of the impeachment effort.

CrossMia — Cross ResumesMiaBrian Steel5lines spoken

Summary

Defense challenged Mia's disclosure timeline, corroboration, and employment account; Mia maintained she felt unable to leave, and the court barred further therapist-related questioning and instructed jurors to disregard related testimony.

CrossSylvia Oken — CrossSylvia OkenTeny R. Geragos8lines spoken

Summary

Oken confirmed hotel-record details; after her testimony, the parties addressed redactions for an exhibit showing Mia's face.

Day 19

Jun 3, 2025

DirectEddy Garcia — DirectEddy GarciaMitzi Steiner4lines spoken

Summary

Garcia testified about requests for InterContinental footage, a USB transfer, $100,000 in cash, and his later admissions about deleted messages and initial dishonesty.

sidebarGarcia Money-Directions TestimonyDuring Eddy Garcia — Direct4lines spoken

Summary

At sidebar, the parties debated whether Garcia could testify about his understanding of directions concerning money paid for a video and their relevance to bribery intent.

DirectDerek Ferguson — DirectDerek FergusonMary C. Slavik6lines spoken

Summary

Former Bad Boy CFO Derek Ferguson identified Combs-controlled accounts, internal transfers to a property account, and a December 2011 wire directed to Casandra Ventura.

CrossDerek Ferguson — CrossDerek FergusonMarc A. Agnifilo7lines spoken

Summary

Ferguson described corporate and financial controls at Combs-related businesses as the defense introduced organizational charts; the court limited indictment-based questioning before Ferguson denied seeing company personnel commit or assist crimes.

sidebarQuestioning Former CFO About Company ConductDuring Derek Ferguson — Cross7lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed how to question a former CFO about whether he knew of alleged violence, firearms, and related conduct at the companies without characterizing the companies themselves as having criminal purposes.

ProceduralJane Testimony Privacy Measures17lines spoken

Summary

The court set privacy measures for Jane's testimony, preserved a video-compilation dispute, clarified two defense exhibits' admission, and granted same-day courtroom access for defense review.

Day 20

Jun 4, 2025

ProceduralEvidentiary Rulings Before Bryana Bongolan3lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved exhibit and cross-examination disputes before Bryana Bongolan's testimony and set a deadline for briefing on proposed Dr. Hughes testimony.

DirectBryana Bongolan — DirectBryana BongolanMadison R. Smyser10lines spoken

Summary

Bryana Bongolan described the alleged balcony incident, identified injury photographs, and addressed discrepancies in later civil-litigation materials; the court excluded proposed settlement-call testimony after a hearsay dispute.

sidebarFoundation for Settlement StatementDuring Bryana Bongolan — Direct6lines spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether testimony about a call made on behalf of Mr. Combs could establish the foundation for a party-authorized settlement statement.

CrossBryana Bongolan — CrossBryana BongolanNicole Westmoreland8lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel challenged Bongolan's recollection and prior accounts of the balcony incident through government-interview materials and civil filings; the court repeatedly required clearer questioning before continuing the cross the next day.

sidebarCross-Examination Questioning LimitsDuring Bryana Bongolan — Cross2lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed the anticipated length of cross-examination and objections to question form, including how to refresh the witness's recollection.

Day 21

Jun 5, 2025

ProceduralPress Access to Jane Exhibits Hearing9lines spoken

Summary

The Court denied a press request for real-time access to redacted exhibits during Jane's testimony, adopting a rolling-release process after privacy review.

CrossBryana Bongolan — CrossBryana BongolanNicole Westmoreland5lines spoken

Summary

Defense challenged Bongolan's injury timeline and later contact with Cassie and Combs through texts, photographs, and records; Bongolan maintained Combs caused her injuries while acknowledging inaccuracies in a former lawyer's demand letter.

sidebarDefense Questioning and Defendant NoddingDuring Bryana Bongolan — Cross3lines spoken

Summary

The Court addressed an objection to defense questioning about documents and concerns that the defendant's visible nodding could influence the jury.

sidebarRule 106 Text Message ChainsDuring Bryana Bongolan — Cross2lines spoken

Summary

Counsel raised a fairness request to consider two additional text-message chains alongside messages already admitted.

RecrossBryana Bongolan — RecrossBryana BongolanNicole Westmoreland17lines spoken

Summary

Bongolan rejected a financial-motive challenge during recross; the Court admitted exhibits, denied a Rule 106 text-message request, and warned against further jury interaction.

CrossEnrique Santos — CrossEnrique SantosTeny R. Geragos6lines spoken

Summary

Santos explained deleted-message recovery and screenshot metadata on cross; the Court then admitted Government Exhibit 1309 and additional government exhibits.

DirectJane — DirectJaneMaurene R. Comey631lines spoken

Summary

Jane described recurring hotel nights with other men, drug use, travel, and financial support that she said contributed to feeling obligated.

sidebarLeading Questions and Time FramesDuring Jane — Direct3lines spoken

Summary

At sidebar, defense objected to alleged leading during charged-conduct testimony and requested clearer time frames for the witness's account.

Day 22

Jun 6, 2025

ProceduralPretestimony Evidentiary Rulings16lines spoken

Summary

The Court ruled on Jane-related notes and assistant communications, reserved on proposed summary exhibits, and admitted a group of sealed government exhibits.

DirectJane — DirectJaneMaurene R. Comey930lines spoken

Summary

Jane described condom requests, drug use, travel and payments connected to hotel nights, and her stated fear of losing housing if she refused.

sidebarCourt Clarifies Form ObjectionDuring Jane — Direct7lines spoken

Summary

At sidebar, the Court clarified the permissible scope of the witness's testimony and distinguished the challenged phrasing from the subject matter itself.

sidebarScope of Typical-Pattern QuestionsDuring Jane — Direct9lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed whether questioning about a typical experience should be tied more closely to individual events after testimony that aspects differed each time.

DirectJane — Direct ResumedJaneMaurene R. Comey999lines spoken

Summary

Jane testified about hotel nights, texts and Notes entries, financial support, and a Turks trip; the Court also deferred a dispute over the use of her Notes exhibits.

sidebarWitness Testimony SchedulingDuring Jane — Direct Resumed4lines spoken

Summary

The court and counsel discussed the witness's ability to continue testimony while allowing for a later check on whether to end early.

Day 23

Jun 9, 2025

DirectJane — DirectJaneMaurene R. Comey1,493lines spoken

Summary

Jane testified through messages, notes, recordings, and later events about hotel nights, rent, alleged tape threats, and her relationship with Sean from 2023 into 2024.

sidebarText-Message Names and AccuracyDuring Jane — Direct5lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed consistent use of names in text-message testimony and concerns that some text-message wording was being omitted or changed.

sidebarPrivilege and Video Testimony Dispute5lines spoken

Summary

Counsel raised concerns about potential privilege and the relevance of a witness's reaction to a video, while the prosecutor agreed to move on from the privilege-related inquiry.

DirectJane — Direct ResumedJaneMaurene R. Comey

ProceduralPrivilege and Video-Testimony Scope Ruling11lines spoken

Summary

The court struck video-related testimony over potential privilege concerns, instructed the jury to disregard it, and allowed a narrower later inquiry if it avoided privileged information.

DirectJane — Direct ResumedJaneMaurene R. Comey654lines spoken

Summary

Jane described alleged violence during a June 2024 argument, a later sexual encounter involving Antoine, injury and door-damage exhibits, and continuing financial support from Sean.

sidebarLeading-Question ConcernsDuring Jane — Direct Resumed1line spoken

Summary

At sidebar, counsel disputed whether questions about events after a fight improperly assumed details rather than allowing the witness to recount events chronologically.

Day 24

Jun 10, 2025

CrossJane — CrossJaneTeny R. Geragos23lines spoken

Summary

Jane's cross-examination examined her relationship with Combs, government preparation, alleged pressure, financial support, and defense exhibits.

sidebarCoughing Juror Check-InDuring Jane — Cross1line spoken

Summary

Counsel raised concerns about a juror’s coughing and discussed offering a break if needed.

CrossJane — Cross ResumedJaneTeny R. Geragos43lines spoken

Summary

Defense used messages, recordings, and exhibits to test Jane's account of hotel nights and relationship pressure; Jane said she often acted from love and a desire to please Mr. Combs while maintaining that the dynamic harmed her.

Day 25

Jun 11, 2025

CrossJane — CrossJaneTeny R. Geragos34lines spoken

Summary

Jane acknowledged affectionate messages and some hotel-night planning, while maintaining that pressure and emotional dependence shaped her participation.

sidebarWitness’s Ability to ContinueDuring Jane — Cross1line spoken

Summary

Counsel raised concern about the witness’s emotional state and whether breaks could be taken while her examination continued.

ProceduralWitness and Trial Scheduling6lines spoken

ProceduralPrior-Consistent-Statement Admissibility Hearing14lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether Jane's notes could rebut an alleged immunity-related motive to shape her testimony; the court reserved ruling until the next morning.

Day 26

Jun 12, 2025

ProceduralEvidentiary Hearings Before Jane's Cross-Examination20lines spoken

Summary

The court set evidentiary boundaries for Jane's cross-examination, excluding specified audio statements and reserving on a proposed Notes app excerpt.

CrossJane — CrossJaneTeny R. Geragos51lines spoken

Summary

Jane's cross-examination examined the June 2024 confrontation, alleged coercion involving Antoine, continued relationship contact, and contested evidentiary issues.

sidebarProgram Letter Testimony ExcludedDuring Jane — Cross5lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether testimony about Jane helping Mr. Combs seek admission to a program was relevant relationship context or unfairly prejudicial.

RedirectJane — RedirectJaneMaurene R. Comey264lines spoken

Summary

Jane testified that she felt pressured into hotel nights, linked rent support to a sense of obligation, and described the June 2024 encounter involving Antoine.

RecrossJane — RecrossJaneTeny R. Geragos12lines spoken

Summary

Defense recross tested Jane's account of the June 2024 encounter, her indirect expressions of reluctance during hotel nights, financial support, and her recollection of earlier events.

RedirectJane — RedirectJaneMaurene R. Comey6lines spoken

Summary

Jane testified that Sean had slapped and punched her before directing her to admit Antoine; the Court then ruled on several exhibit objections and set a process for summary-chart disputes.

Day 27

Jun 13, 2025

ProceduralPretrial Evidentiary Rulings4lines spoken

Summary

The court limited planned cross-examination about the search and directed foundational context for firearms testimony.

ProceduralJuror Residence Inquiry and Potential Dismissal7lines spoken

Summary

The court deferred a decision on further inquiry of a seated juror, then admitted government exhibits and published message excerpts.

ProceduralCourtroom Conduct Discussion4lines spoken

RecrossJonathan Perez — RecrossJonathan PerezBrian Steel3lines spoken

Summary

Perez said he did not know whether listed personal expenses were charged directly to Mr. Combs; a sidebar addressed transcript redaction and the end-of-day schedule.

sidebarTranscript Redaction and Day-End ScheduleDuring Jonathan Perez — Recross3lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed a requested transcript redaction and the government's plan to offer exhibits before ending for the day.

ProceduralEvidentiary Hearing on Khorram Communications and Victim 3 Evidence7lines spoken

Summary

The court issued a series of exhibit rulings, admitting some Khorram and assistant communications while excluding or narrowing others, including alleged Victim 3 and Mia-related messages.

Day 28

Jun 16, 2025

ProceduralMr. Paul Issue Hearing19lines spoken

Summary

The Court limited Agent Penland's summary-chart testimony to factual record descriptions and chart construction, reserving inferences for closing argument.

Day 29

Jun 17, 2025

ProceduralSealing-Order Violation and Immunity Proceedings9lines spoken

Summary

The court warned of sanctions over an apparent sealed-proceeding disclosure and entered an immunity order for Brendan Paul.

RedirectDeLeassa Penland — RedirectDeLeassa PenlandEmily A. Johnson4lines spoken

Summary

Penland’s redirect revisited chart sources and March 2016 messages, clarified the limits of her review, and ended with corrected exhibit admissions and a sealed courtroom matter.

Day 30

Jun 18, 2025

ProceduralJuror Absence and Evidentiary Objections5lines spoken

Summary

A juror's absence halted trial for the day as the court provisionally overruled objections to two disputed message exhibits and preserved a jury-charge objection.

Day 31

Jun 20, 2025

ProceduralCourt Rulings and Trial Administration3lines spoken

Summary

The court denied a juror-related defense application, admitted disputed text-message exhibits, addressed jury-charge revisions, and admitted exhibit lists from both sides.

RedirectBrendan Paul — RedirectBrendan PaulMary C. Slavik3lines spoken

Summary

Paul clarified the limits of his knowledge of wild king nights and described assistant duties; the court later allowed completing text messages to be read to the jury.

DirectJoseph Cerciello — DirectJoseph CercielloMaurene R. Comey430lines spoken

Summary

Agent Cerciello authenticated chart exhibits and used selected records to explain a chronology involving Jane, travel, hotels, communications, and financial entries.

sidebarPhone Note Evidence ObjectionDuring Joseph Cerciello — Direct3lines spoken

Summary

At sidebar, the parties debated foundation and hearsay objections to admitting a limited, redacted entry from a phone note concerning a cash delivery.

Day 32

Jun 23, 2025

ProceduralVerdict Form Conference and Trial Schedule5lines spoken

Summary

The court considered the racketeering-conspiracy verdict form and adopted an agreed schedule leading to a Wednesday charge conference and Thursday summations.

DirectJoseph Cerciello — DirectJoseph CercielloMaurene R. Comey1,114lines spoken

Summary

Agent Cerciello used selected charts and underlying records to trace communications, travel, hotel stays, payments, and media involving Jane and Combs; he said the principal chart reflected material chosen by the prosecution team.

CrossJoseph Cerciello — CrossJoseph CercielloTeny R. Geragos6lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel used additional records and messages to question omissions from government charts involving Jane; the court also set the anticipated schedule for the defense case, charge conference, and closings.

Day 33

Jun 24, 2025

CrossJoseph Cerciello — CrossJoseph CercielloTeny R. Geragos9lines spoken

Summary

Defense used additional records and videos to challenge the completeness of government charts; redirect emphasized that the charts reflected only records provided to the agent.

sidebarCross-Examination and Lunch ScheduleDuring Joseph Cerciello — Cross2lines spoken

Summary

The court discussed the remaining cross-examination videos and timing, the expected short redirect, and the plan to finish the witness that afternoon.

sidebarRedirect Scope for Summary Chart5lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether redirect could use uncited messages and exhibits to respond to cross-examination of the summary chart.

RedirectJoseph Cerciello — RedirectJoseph CercielloMaurene R. Comey5lines spoken

Summary

Agent Cerciello said the reviewed records contained no sexual, loving, or affectionate messages between Jane and Combs.

ProceduralClosing and Charge Logistics9lines spoken

Day 34

Jun 25, 2025

Charge ConferenceCharge Conference on Final Jury Instructions4lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved extensive final-instruction disputes, removed one obstruction predicate, revised several charge provisions, and set the closing-argument schedule.

Day 35

Jun 26, 2025

ProceduralFinal Charge Edits and Deliberation Logistics3lines spoken

Summary

The court finalized jury-charge edits, set the closing-and-deliberation schedule, and addressed the deliberation laptop.

ClosingGovernment Closing ArgumentMary C. Slavik3lines spoken

Summary

The government argued that the evidence proved all five counts through an alleged enterprise that used coercion, violence, staff assistance, and concealment.

Day 36

Jun 27, 2025

ProceduralPre-closing exhibit and verdict-form conference4lines spoken

Summary

The court set Monday delivery of jury materials, accepted agreed exhibit corrections, and permitted a defense demonstrative for closing.

ProceduralClosing-argument curative-instruction hearing4lines spoken

Summary

The court ordered a curative instruction telling jurors not to consider prosecutors' charging decisions after defense closing remarks.

ClosingDefense closing argument resumedMarc A. Agnifilo3lines spoken

Summary

The defense disputed the forced-labor, drug-distribution, and sex-trafficking theories and argued that the InterContinental video showed a phone-related domestic-violence incident, not sex trafficking.

ClosingDefense closing argument resumedMarc A. Agnifilo3lines spoken

Summary

The defense completed its summation by disputing coercion, prostitution, racketeering, and the reliability of the government’s proof, then requested acquittal on all counts.

RebuttalGovernment rebuttal closing argumentMaurene R. Comey17lines spoken

Summary

The government rebutted the defense’s theories on commercial sex, racketeering, coercion, and witness credibility before the court set jury instructions and deliberations for Monday.

Day 37

Jun 30, 2025

Jury InstructionFinal Jury Instructions and Verdict Sheet3lines spoken

Summary

Jurors received final instructions on all five counts, the burden of proof, deliberations, and the verdict sheet before retiring to deliberate.

ProceduralJuror Concern Note and Response9lines spoken

Summary

The court adopted the government's neutral response to a foreperson's concern about Juror No. 25, reminding jurors of their duties without seeking deliberative details.

ProceduralJury Note on Controlled-Substances Instruction3lines spoken

Summary

The court deferred its response to a jury question about the controlled-substances instruction while counsel conferred on competing proposed answers.

Day 38

Jul 1, 2025

ProceduralJury Note on Distribution Element6lines spoken

Summary

The Court rejected the defense's proposed revision to its response to a jury question on the distribution element, preserved the objection, and marked the handwritten proposal as a court exhibit.

ProceduralJury Request for Testimony Excerpts9lines spoken

Summary

The Court resolved disputes over testimony excerpts requested by the jury, including material concerning Ventura, Phillip, and the InterContinental Hotel incident.

ProceduralPartial-Verdict Note and Deliberation Response5lines spoken

Summary

After the jury reported verdicts on four counts but an impasse on Count One, the Court directed continued deliberations and reserved a stronger instruction for any later note.

Day 39

Jul 2, 2025

ProceduralPost-Verdict Bail Application5lines spoken

Summary

Defense sought Combs' release pending sentencing; the government opposed it, and the court ordered same-day written submissions before ruling.

ProceduralBail Denial and Sentencing Schedule5lines spoken

Summary

The court denied Combs's post-verdict bail request and directed the parties to work with probation on an expedited sentencing schedule.

About

Key Points

Attorney insights (4)

Trial Record (146)

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary