Prosecution & Defense Rest in Diddy Trial

[Source: CBS]

Celebrity lawyer and legal analyst Christopher C. Melcher, who is ranked as a best family law attorney in California, explains how the prosecution & defense rest their cases in the Diddy federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.

Chris Melcher says the defense’s decision not to call any witnesses—compared to the prosecution’s 34—was likely a strategic move to avoid self-incrimination, as both sides have rested in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial, with a verdict expected as early as next week.

Tom Hanson:

Both the prosecution and the defense have rested their cases in Sean Diddy Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial. Now, over the course of more than six weeks, jurors have heard from 34 government witnesses. They’ve included federal agents, former assistants, and ex-girlfriends (including Cassie Ventura) of the music mogul.

The defense did not call any of its own witnesses, and instead just cross-examined ones called by prosecutors. Closing arguments are set for Thursday. Combs has been charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Chris Melcher joins us now. Chris is a partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP, which is ranked as a best family law firm in Los Angeles, CA. He’s also celebrity lawyer and former sex crimes defense attorney. Chris, thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. What were the key arguments we heard from the prosecution over the last six weeks?

Key Arguments from Diddy’s Prosecution

Chris Melcher:

Well, we’ve heard of really some depraved conduct by Sean Diddy Combs and this mistreatment of women. But their prosecution theory is that he was involved in this criminal enterprise that exploited these women for his own benefit and the use of company resources to do it, and that that’s what’s constituting this racketeering charge. That there were acts of kidnapping, bribery and arson that were part of this enterprise that elevated it to the type of crime that we see cartels and gangs prosecuted for. They’ve also have probably shown to the satisfaction of the jury the transportation of people for purposes of prostitution and trafficking for purposes of prosecution by force or fraud. So those are some very serious charges, and the prosecution is thinking that they have established all this through six weeks of testimony.

Tom Hanson:

Chris, it surprises me to learn that the defense is not calling any witnesses to the trial. I’ve been in and out of the courtroom over the course of this trial. What did you make of that strategy to not call any witnesses for the defense?

Diddy’s Defense Isn’t Calling Witnesses

Chris Melcher:

Well, Tom, that was probably his right decision because he has no burden of proof, and this is probably looking as the best option here for him not to call any witnesses because if he were to put on a witness at this trial in his defense, he might actually produce information against him that would incriminate him.

So instead, he’s relying on the questions that were asked of the prosecution witnesses, which did show some problems with their credibility. It showed that some of this stuff was done maybe with his own personal money, maybe he was even trying to hide some of this conduct from other people in the company. So this doesn’t really look like the conspiracy, and maybe that’s good enough. And so I think that was the best thing that could be done. Certainly the judge will instruct the jury not to comment or take inferences from his failure or decision not to call witnesses.

Tom Hanson:

And Chris, just very quickly here, when do you think we could hear a verdict?

Diddy’s Jury Verdict Timeline Prediction

Chris Melcher:

Well, my sense is based on this length of a trial, maybe Monday, Tuesday. The jury might want to take the weekend to kind of think it over because this such a serious matter and they may be conflicted on some things. So if they come to an agreement, maybe Monday or Tuesday, if they’re having difficulty agreeing, then we’re going to see it go into late next week.

Tom Hanson:

Chris Melcher top family law attorney breaking it all down for us. Chris, thank you for that.

Make sure to follow Chris on Twitter at @CA_Divorce.