Jury deliberations begin and quickly hit a snag at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial | Crime Alert 6AM 07.01.25

A tense moment Monday in New York as a federal jury deliberates charges that could send Sean “Diddy” Combs to prison for life.  Barely an hour into deliberations, the jury foreperson alerted Judge Arun Subramanian  that one juror was struggling to follow instructions. In response, the judge sent a note reminding jurors to deliberate carefully and obey the law as he explained it.

An Idaho judge says the quadruple murder trial of Bryan Kohberger will move forward this summer, despite defense efforts to delay it.

In New Orleans, authorities have recaptured one of ten inmates who broke out of the Orleans Parish  jail six weeks ago.

A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit over the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film Rust.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime a art hourly update, breaking crime news now, Day
two of jury deliberations in the Shawn Comb sex trafficking trial.
Standing by our John Limley John, What's the latest?

Speaker 2 (00:11):
A tense moment Monday in New York as a federal
jury deliberates charges that could send Sean Diddy Combs to
prison for life. Barely an hour into deliberations, the jury
four person alerted Judge Urun Submaranian that one juror was
struggling to follow instructions. In response, the judge sent a

(00:31):
note reminding jurors to deliberate carefully and obey the law
as he explained it. The fifty five year old Combs
has fleeted not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, two counts of
sex trafficking involving former girlfriends, and two counts of transporting
sex workers across state lines. After seven weeks of testimony,

(00:53):
often graphic and emotional, jurors are now weighing allegations that
the Grammy winning founder A Bad Boy Records, used violence, intimidation,
and a loyal inner circle to arrange what prosecutors called
drug fueled sex marathons, sometimes referred to as freak offs.
Assistant US attorney Christy Slovak told jurors Combs believed his

(01:16):
power and fame put him above the law, while defense
lawyer Mark Agnefilio argued it was about money, pointing out
one accuser also filed a civil suit. In all, thirty
four witnesses testified, including Combe's ex girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who
accused him of forcing her into sex with paid male partners,

(01:38):
and another woman known only as Jane, who described knights
of coerced encounters. Jurors also saw security footage from twenty
sixteen showing Comb's beating and dragging Cassie in a Los
Angeles hotel hallway. Combs declined to testify, and his defense
team called no witnesses, focusing instead on questioning the accuser's credibility.

(02:02):
While the defense concedes Comb sometimes acted violently, they insist
all sexual activity was consensual and prosecutors are unfairly targeting
his private life. The jury, eight men and four women,
continues deliberations, aided by video evidence and thousands of text
messages and photos from the trial. Five alternates remain on standby.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
Thanks John for the latest crime Injustice news, go to
crime online dot com and please join us for our
daily podcast Crime Stories. More crime and justice news after
this Now with the latest crime and justice breaking news
Crime Online.

Speaker 2 (02:45):
John Limley, an Idaho judge, says the quadruple murder trial
of Brian Koberger will move forward this summer, despite defense
efforts to delay it. Fourth District Judge Stephen Hipler has
ruled that jury selection will begin August four, four, with
opening statements likely around August eighteenth. The thirty year old Coburger,

(03:05):
a former Washington State University criminal justice student, is accused
of fatally stabbing for University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin,
Zana Kernodle, Madison Mogan, and Kayleganzalvez inside an off campus
rental home in Moscow, Idaho, November thirteenth, twenty twenty two.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Coburger stood silent at arraignment,

(03:28):
prompting a judge to enter a not guilty plea on
his behalf. Judge Hipler also rejected a defense request to
present theories of four alternate perpetrators, saying there is not
a sentilla of credible evidence linking them to the killings.
The judge wrote that allowing those claims would invite wild
speculation and prolong a trial already expected to last three months.

(03:52):
Defense attorney and Taylor argued that publicity surrounding the case
threatens Coburger's right to a fair trial, and that his
team is still gathering evidence, but Hipler noted delays have
only fueled further media coverage and public speculation. In New Orleans,
authorities have recaptured one of ten inmates who broke out
of the Orleans Parish jails six weeks ago. Police a

(04:16):
thirty three year old Antoine Massey, peacefully surrendered Friday at
a home just two miles from the jail. Massey had
been awaiting trial on charges including rape and kidnapping in
Saint Tammany Parish. The May sixteenth jail break, one of
the largest in US history, involved inmates prying open a
faulty cell door, cutting a hole behind a toilet, and

(04:38):
scaling of fence. Hours later, staff discovered graffiti pointing to
the hole with the words too easy lol. Louisiana State
Police say Massey likely had help hiding. A woman described
as his on and off girlfriend is charged with obstruction
and helping him escape. Massey now faces additional charges. Eight

(04:58):
escapees have been recaptured. Only convicted murderer Derek Groves remains
at large. A fifty thousand dollars reward is offered for
tips leading to his arrest. A settlement has been reached
in the lawsuit over the fatal shooting on the set
of the western film Rust. Three crew members sued producers,
including Alec Baldwin, for emotional distress, accusing them of ignoring

(05:22):
safety rules. Producers denied wrongdoing. Terms of the settlement weren't disclosed.
The case followed the twenty twenty one death of cinematographer
Helena Hutchins, killed when Baldwin's revolver fired during rehearsal near
Santa Fe. A manslaughter charge against Baldwin was later dropped. Meanwhile,
armorer Hannabutiera's read served eighteen months for bringing live ammunition

(05:46):
on the set. Rust finished filming in Montana and was
released in May.

Speaker 1 (05:51):
Thanks John for the latest crime and justice needs. Go
to crime online dot com and please join us for
our daily podcast, Crime Stories. We do our best to
find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides with
this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace