Diddy trial recap: ‘Drug mule’ Brendan Paul expected to testify after jury shown more ‘freak off’ footage

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs as it resumes in New York.

Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy charges.

He was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024.

Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial is set to hear from Brendan Paul, a former assistant and alleged “drug mule” to the rapper, on Wednesday.

Paul’s appearance was touted earlier this week but has been delayed by the prolonged testimony of one of the summary witnesses and questions over two of the jurors involved.

The government is now saying it expects to conclude its case on Friday.

On Tuesday, the jury saw more footage of “freak offs” as defense attorneys tried to argue that Combs and his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, had a more loving relationship than the prosecution has portrayed.

Special Agent DeLeassa Penland reviewed phone records between Combs and Ventura and testified that the hip-hop mogul incessantly called and texted Ventura after hitting her at a hotel in 2016.

Under cross-examination, defense attorneys showed jurors other messages between the two that suggested a warmer side to their relationship.

Yesterday’s proceedings got off to a heated start, with Judge Arun Subramanian scolding both legal teams after an article was published containing information that was under seal. He warned both sides that they could face consequences if that continued.

Here’s Kelly Rissman’s report.

The possibility that the defendant himself might testify at his federal sex trafficking trial all but vanished Tuesday after his lawyer predicted a defense presentation lasting as little as two days and a judge said jurors could begin deliberations as early as next week.

Attorney Marc Agnifilo offered the hint when Judge Arun Subramanian asked him for an estimate on the length of the defense case, and the attorney said their presentation could last less than two days and definitely but not more than five.

If Combs testified, it was likely his testimony would take longer than a week. Testimony by two of his former girlfriends consumed two of the trial's six weeks.

Here’s more.

Another juror issue has emerged on Wednesday, raising questions in the room as to whether proceedings will go ahead.

Per the Washington Post, one jury member couldn’t make it in because they experienced vertigo symptoms while commuting in and had to turn around.

The parties are discussing the matter, so stay tuned.

From The Independent’s Kelly Rissman, inside the court:

The attorneys had a sidebar about his medical issues presumably to try to figure out if the juror can continue Friday.

We’ll bring you more when we have it.