Introducing... Diddy On Trial

Americast

BBC

Politics, Government, News

4.2 • 2.8K Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2025

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On the first day of Diddy’s trial, jurors have watched a video showing him assaulting his former long-time partner, the singer Cassie.

The prosecution’s first witness, a former hotel security guard, says he was called on the night the CCTV video was filmed to help a "woman in distress", where he found Cassie sitting in the corner covering her face.

Both the prosecution and defence gave their opening statements. The prosecution say Combs' behaviour was "coercive and criminal" and that he "had the power to ruin" his alleged victims’ lives. The defence argues that while Diddy might have engaged in domestic violence, he is innocent of the sex trafficking and prostitution charges at the heart of this case.

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence, sexual violence and graphic descriptions of sex.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is accused of sex trafficking, racketeering with conspiracy and transportation for prostitution. He denies the charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik about the day in court.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1.

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Executive Producer: Neal Razzell Sound Design: Mark Burrows Senior Digital Producer: Matthew Pintus Video Producer: Daniel Raza Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Maricasters, it's me, Mariana, and we want to share a podcast with you from BBC Sounds.
0:05.1	It's about one of hip-hop's biggest moguls, Sean Coombs, otherwise known as Puff Daddy or P. Diddy.
0:11.1	He's accused of sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering with conspiracy,
0:16.6	which he denies. His trial starts this week in New York and Anushka Matanda Dauti will be there
0:22.9	bringing you all the twists and turns for our sister podcast, Didion Trial. Here's their latest episode
0:28.3	from New York. BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts. Hello and welcome to Diddy on trial
0:35.8	from BBC Sounds with me, Anushkimitandadowity.
0:38.6	Make sure you subscribe and turn on your push notifications so you never miss a thing.
0:45.3	Just a warning, this episode contains descriptions of violence, sexual violence and graphic
0:50.2	descriptions of sex. Sean Diddy Combs is accused of sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution and racketeering
0:58.6	with conspiracy.
0:59.7	He denies all the charges and says he's never sexually assaulted anyone, man or woman,
1:04.2	adult or minor.
1:05.3	If found guilty, he could end up spending the rest of his life behind bars.
1:13.8	I've been catching up with the BBC's New York correspondent Neda Talfig throughout the day.
1:18.2	We've had jury selection finalised and that group of 12 people have already heard from two witnesses,
1:23.2	one security guard and one male sex worker.
1:25.7	We also got opening statements from both sides. I caught up with Nedder straight after those first arguments.
1:30.3	Yeah, it was interesting because they started off with this dramatic flare pointing right to Sean Diddy Combs
1:36.3	and painting him really as, you know, this larger-than-life icon, but saying that behind that there was another side to him,
1:43.3	one where he used his celebrity,
1:45.6	his power, really his entire business to force victims into unconsensual sex.
	...

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