Prosecutors in Sean 'Diddy' Combs Case No Longer Pursuing Attempted Arson and Kidnapping Theories
- Prosecutors in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal trial announced on Tuesday that they will no longer pursue attempted arson and kidnapping theories.
- This change follows a strategic decision to streamline jury instructions and focus on what prosecutors consider stronger racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
- Combs faces five federal charges, including sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution related to Cassie Ventura and another woman known as Jane, with prosecutors resting after calling 34 witnesses.
- Veteran lawyer Mark Zauderer described dropping these charges as a tactical judgment, not a sign of weak evidence, while defense attorney Michael Bachner said streamlining strengthens the prosecution's case.
- The removal of some predicate offenses implies prosecutors aim to maximize conviction chances on the racketeering count, while closing arguments are set to begin Thursday.
79 Articles
79 Articles

Prosecutor says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs thought he was above the law as he led a racketeering conspiracy
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs thought his “fame, wealth and power” put him above the law as he led a criminal enterprise for two decades, using “power, violence and fear” to carry out brutal crimes, a prosecutor told a jury at the music mogul’s sex trafficking trial during closing arguments Thursday. “Over the last several weeks, you’ve learned a lot about Sean Combs,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy…
Prosecutor casts Sean ’Diddy’ Combs as a criminal who abused others through power, violence and fear
NEW YORK — Two days of closing arguments in Sean "Diddy" Combs ' sex trafficking trial began on Thursday with a prosecutor telling the jury the hip-hop mogul used "power, violence and fear" to rule a criminal enterprise that facilitated kidnapping, arson and brutal sex crimes that she said were at the heart of the case.

Prosecutor casts Sean 'Diddy' Combs as a criminal who abused others through power, violence and fear
A prosecutor has begun two days of closing arguments at Sean “Diddy” Combs' sex trafficking trial by telling a jury that the music mogul used “power, violence and fear” to rule a criminal enterprise for two decades. The closing on…
Prosecutor says Sean 'Diddy' Combs thought he was above the law as he led a racketeering conspiracy
A prosecutor has begun two days of closing arguments at Sean “Diddy” Combs' sex trafficking trial by telling a jury that the music mogul used “power, violence and fear” to rule a criminal enterprise for two decades.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial attorneys drop kidnapping, arson theories ahead of closing arguments
The indictment alleges Combs engaged in a racketeering conspiracy that includes transportation for purposes of prostitution, witness tampering, bribery, forced labor and drug-related offenses.
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