Kanye West briefly attends trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs in NYC
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, showed up at the sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs on Friday in New York City.
He arrived just before 11:20 a.m. and flashed a peace sign to cameras before walking into the courthouse. He went through a security screening, and when asked if he was there to support Combs, he said yes.
He did not enter the main courtroom. Instead, he entered an overflow room, near members of the Combs family. He stayed a short time and left just before noon.
Thursday, jurors finished hearing from a former girlfriend of Combs, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane."
Jane testified she repeatedly told Combs she didn't enjoy "hotel nights" with him, which she said involved drugs and her having sex with male entertainers. She testified she felt pressured to do them.
During Thursday's proceedings, attorneys involved in the case argued about whether they could disclose the names of people who allegedly attended a January 2024 event in Las Vegas. Jane testified she attended that event and traveled to it on another rapper's private plane. She was asked if that rapper was an "icon in the music industry" and close to Combs, and she replied yes.
When Combs found out about the trip months later, he allegedly said, "How could you go to another man's freak off?"
Last week, the judge warned Combs not to nod or interact with the jury. Prosecutors told the judge Friday Combs had been nodding again. The defense argued he's not looking at the jury.
The judge said it's "impossible to police every reaction" but he'd keep an eye out.
On Friday, jurors heard from a special agent who testified about the search of Combs' Los Angeles home. The agent testified that a substance found inside a plastic bag in a safe tested positive for MDMA. The agent testified they found about 200 bottles of baby oil and some 900 bottles of Astroglide in the home. The agent also testified they found weapons, including two rifles and a pistol, inside a security office in his home. The special agent held up the guns that were found for the jury.
Jonathan Perez, a former personal assistant to Combs from 2021-2024 took the stand next. He described setting up what he called "king nights," similar to "hotel nights" or "freak offs," for Combs, and sometimes having to purchase drugs for him with cash from Combs or his security. Perez said it was personal and nothing to do with his work.
On re-direct, prosecutors asked if his job included doing personal things for Combs, and he said yes. They also asked if he set up "king nights" for free. No, he testified, it was part of his job.
The judge and attorneys also had ongoing discussions about a juror the court says made inconsistent statements about where he lives. The judge indicated he wanted to replace him with an alternate, but will let attorneys know if he changes his mind.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. He faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted, and has been jailed without bail.
Prosecutors have told the judge they anticipate resting their case next week.
