The government is dropping some of the charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs, prosecutors wrote in a letter to the judge in his sex trafficking trial per TMZ. In an effort to “streamline” the jury’s instructions, they wrote, prosecutors have dropped the kidnapping charge (based on allegations he kidnapped his ex Cassie Ventura after a beating, as well as his former assistant Capricorn Clark), attempted arson (pertaining to rapper Kid Cudi’s Porsche, which the prosecution alleged Combs had set ablaze), and aiding and abetting sex trafficking, which would require a co-conspirator (which the prosecution did not provide). The core charge of sex trafficking will remain, based on Combs’ alleged coercing of his girlfriends into “freak-offs,” as will the other major charges of transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering. The move suggests the prosecution has doubts that it sufficiently proved some of the allegations of the case to the jury. Combs’ defense rested its case on Tuesday. On Thursday, closing arguments will begin, wherein Combs’ team will reportedly argue that the former mogul was only investigated out of “boredom” by the Department of Homeland Security and invoke the U.S.’ conflict with Iran. Jurors will likely begin deliberations on Monday, and deliver a verdict before July 4.
Read it at TMZ
