NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has immediately rejected a defense request for a mistrial at the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. This was the first such request at Combs’ trial, which is in its third week of testimony in Manhattan. A defense lawyer said Wednesday that prosecutors posed questions to a Los Angeles Fire Department investigator which could imply to the jury that Combs interfered in the probe of another rapper’s firebombed luxury car. After a break, the judge instructed the jury to disregard questions related to destroyed fingerprint cards. Combs has pleaded not guilty to leading a racketeering conspiracy that relied on fear and violence to get what he wanted.… Continue Reading

NEW YORK (AP) — R&B singer Cassie has finished testifying at her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial. She spent four emotional days on the witness stand during which she was questioned about the deepest, most disturbing secrets of her sex life and described being beaten and raped by a man she once loved. When Judge Arun Subramanian told her she could leave Friday, Cassie glanced once toward the jury but never looked in Combs’ direction as she walked out of the courtroom for the final time. Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and other charges. He denies allegations that he exploited his status as a music executive and businessman to force women into group sex.… Continue Reading