Sean Combs trial updates | Defense closes; deliberations set for Monday

During the cross-examination of Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello, the defense showed the jury several text exchanges that they contend appeared to show Sean Combs and his ex-girlfriend "Jane," who testified under a pseudonym, attempting to hide their sexual activity from Combs' employees.

The defense showed an April 2023 text from Combs to "Jane" in which Combs wrote, "You find place. I can't have KK know," referring to Combs' then-chief of staff, Kristina Khorram.

In a May 2023 text shown by the defense, "Jane" wrote to Combs, "Just setting up the hotel."

In a later text from May 2023 shown by the defense, "Jane" asked an escort, "Do you have Zell? Can send you payment through there." The defense maintains that no finance person employed by Combs' businesses was involved in transferring money for sexual encounters, known as "freak-offs" and "hotel nights," depending upon witness testimony.

The defense also argued for the jury that "Jane" sometimes set up her own "hotel nights," separate from Combs' involvement.

"Sorry for this late text. It's no rush, let me know if you're up to coming to LA Saturday," "Jane" messaged an escort, according to a text shown by the defense. In a message to another escort shown by the defense, "Jane" said, "This is a 911 freak emergency."

Other messages showed Khorram sending Combs' assistants a list of what "Jane" "wants for hotel."

Federal prosecutors allege that Combs relied on the employees, resources and influence of his business to coerce "Jane" into unwanted sex with male escorts. The defense has denied that Combs ran a criminal enterprise that relied on assistants, bodyguards and other employees to fulfill his sexual desires.

During the cross-examination of Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello, defense attorney Teny Geragos read messages that appeared to show "Jane," the Sean Combs ex-girlfriend who testified under a pseudonym, arranging sexual encounters with a male escort named Kabrale.

In December 2021, Kabrale sent "Jane" a message about "a pretty intense night" they had together. "That was the roughest sex we've ever had. ... I loved it," Kabrale's message said.

"Def one for the books," "Jane" responded, in one text shown by the defense. "Damn baby you got me so hot. You want to come back tonight or tmw morning."

Several days later, the defense argued, "Jane" sent Kabrale his travel arrangements. "Hey hon, here's your flight info. I'll have hotel info later tonight. Excited to see you," her text to Kabrale said.

"Jane" previously testified that she was sometimes willing to have sex with male escorts to make Combs happy. At other times she was coerced, federal prosecutors have argued. The defense has maintained that all of the sexual encounters discussed during trial testimony were consensual.

The jury also saw text messages in which "Jane" appeared to express her love and appreciation for Combs. "I'll never take you for granted," one message said.

Federal prosecutors have said they expect to rest their case against Sean Combs today, hoping that more than six weeks of testimony from nearly three dozen witnesses -- including ex-girlfriends, former employees, male escorts and rapper Kid Cudi -- is enough to convince the jury to convict.

The last witness, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello, summarized during his testimony Monday the sexual encounters Combs allegedly arranged for his then-girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane."

Jurors saw messages from Combs allegedly booking escorts and heard an audio message from Combs telling an assistant, "There's no more baby oil." Jurors also saw travel receipts, hotel invoices and money transfers.

Federal prosecutors argue it all supports their contention that Combs and his employees were running a criminal enterprise that "abused, threatened and coerced women" into prolonged, drug-fueled sexual orgies with male prostitutes, and then threatened them into silence. Combs has denied all of the charges and maintains that the sex was consensual.

The defense, on cross-examination of Cerciello, showed a message that "Jane" sent to one of the escorts. "You are such a sweetheart," the text said. "Thank you for making me feel beautiful."

Both sides played recordings of arranged sexual encounters with male escorts, known as "freak-offs." The jury has now watched nearly 45 minutes of explicit video.

After the prosecution rests, the defense will present its own case, which is expected to consist of reading evidence into the record. Defense attorneys have said they plan to call no witnesses.

Combs has been accused of sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy as part of a blockbuster federal indictment originally filed in September 2024. He later faced two additional superseding indictments. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

During cross-examination of Special Agent Joseph Cerciello of Homeland Security Investigations, defense attorney Teny Geragos attempted to highlight how certain expenses for alleged "freak-off" sexual encounters appeared to have been paid from Sean Combs' personal account. The defense has argued that "freak-offs" were how Combs spent his personal time and were separate from his business, which prosecutors have alleged Combs ran like a criminal enterprise.

Geragos also showed additional video excerpts to jurors. The public could not hear or see the clips.

Court has adjourned for the day. The defense will finish cross-examining Cerciello on Tuesday morning, after which the government will rest its case.

Judge Arun Subramanian will then hear a defense motion for a directed verdict of acquittal, a proceeding for which the jury won't be present. If that motion is denied, the defense will present its case. The defense has said they will not call any witnesses but there are exhibits that the defense wants to enter into the record.

The charge conference will take place on Wednesday morning and the jury will hear closing arguments on Thursday. The prosecution and defense are each expected to take about four hours to present their arguments.

The jury will hear the judge's charge on Friday before deliberations begin.