Week One Recap of United States v. Sean Combs (Case No. 1:24-cr-00542, S.D.N.Y.), covering the indictment, final moments of jury selection, and a day-by-day summary of court proceedings for the first week of the trial (May 12–May 16, 2025).
Press Release, Superseding Indictment, Docket, Inner City Press, Rumble Playlist
I’ll continue to add recaps of individual days of the trial to the Rumble playlist and weekly recaps to Substack.
For anyone not interested in this trial, no worries, I have other material prepped for the next episode of the Just Human podcast. I am aiming to publish that early next week.
Breakdowns and timestamps for each day:
Indictment Reading 00:00-00:36
Charges and Allegations:
Combs faces five counts: racketeering conspiracy (life max), two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion (life max, 15-year min each), and two counts of transportation for prostitution (10-year max each).
The prosecution alleges Combs ran a criminal enterprise, orchestrating “freak offs” (coerced sexual performances), abusing women (e.g., Ventura), and using blackmail, drugs, and violence. Evidence includes the 2016 Ventura assault video and 1,000+ bottles of baby oil seized in 2024 raids.
The defense argues all acts were consensual, framing the case as domestic disputes within a “swinger” lifestyle, not trafficking.
Jury Seated 00:37-00:45
Jury Swearing-In :
The final 12 jurors (six women, five men, and one unspecified; ages mid-20s to early 70s) plus six alternates. Jurors include a graphic designer, UN counterterrorism administrator, and grocery store clerk.
Monday 00:45-01:50
Opening Statements:
Prosecution (AUSA Emily Johnson):
Alleged Combs operated a criminal enterprise for 20 years (2004–2024), committing sex trafficking, kidnapping, arson, and other crimes via his business empire (Bad Boy Entertainment).
Described “freak offs” as coerced, drug-fueled orgies involving women and male sex workers, directed and recorded by Combs for blackmail. Highlighted physical violence, including a 2016 assault on ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
Introduced victims: Victim-1 (Ventura), Victim-2 (“Jane,” a single mother abused post-relationship), and Victim-4 (“Mia,” a former assistant coerced into sex acts).
Defense (Teny Geragos):
Framed the case as about “love, jealousy, infidelity, and money,” not trafficking. Claimed “freak offs” were consensual, part of Combs’ “swinger” lifestyle.
Admitted the 2016 Ventura assault video was “indefensible” but argued it reflected domestic violence, not trafficking. Noted Ventura’s 11-year relationship with Combs as evidence of choice.
Dismissed the seizure of 1,000+ bottles of baby oil during 2024 home raids as non-criminal (“Is that a federal crime? No”).
Witness Testimony:
Israel Florez (Former Hotel Security Guard, now LAPD Officer):
Testified about responding to a distressed woman’s call at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City in March 2016. Found Ventura with a purple eye; she declined to call the police.
The prosecution played the 2016 surveillance video, showing Combs shoving, kicking, and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway, then throwing a glass vase, corroborating Florez’s account.
Daniel Phillip (Male Escort/Stripper):
Testified he was paid to have sex with Ventura multiple times (2012–2013) while Combs watched and directed, including role-play and specific acts. Combs allegedly photographed Phillip’s driver’s license as a threat to ensure silence.
Witnessed Combs slap, drag, and throw a liquor bottle at Ventura, describing her as “shaking” and “terrified” in one incident.
Said Combs offered him drugs (declined) and believed Ventura may have been under the influence.
Cross-examination began; Phillip was ordered not to contact his attorney overnight and to return for further questioning.
Tuesday 01:50-02:55
Witness Testimony:
Daniel Phillip (Continued):
Cross-examination resumed, with the defense questioning inconsistencies and suggesting Phillip exaggerated for financial gain. They probed the consensual nature of his encounters.
Cassie Ventura (Victim-1):
Began testifying, describing “freak offs” as “disgusting” and coercive. Said she was not sober during her first sexual encounter with Combs and was pressured into acts, including a “freak off” at a Trump hotel.
Detailed the 2016 hotel assault, noting bruises and a black eye. Testified Combs texted her afterward, claiming police were coming and threatening to cut contact if she didn’t respond.
Recounted covering bruises with makeup and dark glasses for a movie premiere days after the assault. Emotionally, she described Combs asking her to call him by her grandfather’s name and comparing him to Ike Turner.
Defense cross-examined, presenting texts suggesting Ventura enjoyed “freak offs” and claiming a “bad batch” of MDMA caused the 2016 incident. Ventura countered that the texts lacked full context.
Notable Moments:
Ventura, pregnant with her third child and due soon, was a “time-sensitive” witness.
Subramanian ruled “freak off” footage would be shown only to the jury, not the public, pending further media access submissions.
Concerns about the security and privacy of victims and witnesses are ever present throughout the proceedings. Privacy screens and pseudonyms are being employed, with the Maxwell case serving as a model.
Wednesday 02:55-03:48
Witness Testimony:
Cassie Ventura (Continued):
Testimony resumed before 10:00 a.m., with prosecutor Emily Johnson questioning Ventura. Focused on text and email exchanges, which were displayed on courtroom monitors.
Ventura detailed further coercion and violence, including Combs’ use of drugs to control her and threats to her career.
Defense began cross-examination, emphasizing Ventura’s 11-year relationship and texts indicating consent. Ventura reiterated coercion and fear.
Notable Moments:
Jurors leaned forward to follow text evidence. Combs, wearing glasses, reviewed documents and conferred with attorneys.
Ventura detailed a night where Combs and his crew armed themselves and went looking for Suge Knight
A media attorney argued for public access to “freak off” visuals, with Subramanian delaying a ruling to balance privacy and transparency.
Thursday 03:48-04:25
Witness Testimony:
Cassie Ventura (Continued):
Cross-examination continued, with the defense pressing on inconsistencies and consensual aspects of Ventura’s relationship with Combs.
Prosecutors redirect to reinforce Ventura’s coercion claims, focusing on her fear and lack of consent.
Notable Moments:
The defense dumped 400 exhibits on the prosecution overnight, frustrating prosecutors and irritating the judge.
Combs’ attorneys noted Ventura’s testimony might extend to Friday due to her pregnancy-related scheduling constraints.
Friday 04:25-05:15
Witness Testimony:
Cassie Ventura (Concluded):
Defense cross-examination concluded with prosecutors conducting redirect. Ventura’s testimony, pivotal to the prosecution, wrapped up.
Additional Witnesses:
Special Agent Yasin Binda of HSI testified about arresting Combs at The Park Hyatt hotel and searching his room, identifying items found there.
R&B singer Dawn Richard took the stand in the final moments of Friday. She described Combs swinging a skillet at Ventura and punching, kicking, and verbally abusing her.
Notable Moments:
Combs’ attorney criticized prosecutors for calling two witnesses before Ventura, disrupting scheduling given her pregnancy.
Ventura’s testimony proved powerful
Subramanian continued deliberating on media access to visual evidence, with no final ruling.
Subramanian pulled AUSA Comey and Defense Counsel Agnifilo into his robing room at the conclusion of the day. I suspect this was to discuss next week’s schedule and issues with the Defense’s ridiculous handling of exhibits, challenges, and 3 AM filings.
I’ll continue to add recaps of individual days of the trial to the Rumble playlist and weekly recaps to Substack.
For anyone not interested in this trial, no worries, I have other material prepped for the next episode of the Just Human podcast. I am aiming to publish that early next week.
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