The jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs's sex trafficking trial has been given a glimpse of some of the so-called "freak-off" sex marathons central to the case.
Prosecutors on Monday, local time, showed videos that the hip-hop mogul recorded during day-long, drug-fuelled sessions from 2014.
On the same day in court, a black juror was dismissed from the trial, despite defence objections that this would reduce the racial diversity of the panel.
Jury sees 'freak-off' videos
After six weeks of witnesses and evidence, prosecutors played three sex videos — provided by his long-time girlfriend Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer known by the name "Cassie".
One video from 2012, was from the same day prosecutors said Combs had a "freak-off" in New York City with Cassie and sex worker Sharay Hayes, known as "The Punisher".
The Associated Press reported that at least one juror winced at a video, although their reactions were mostly muted.
Because of their graphic nature, reporters and members of the public were not allowed to view the videos.
Until Monday, jurors had only seen still images taken from the "freak-off" videos.
Defence lawyers have said the videos prove Mr Combs was engaging in consensual sex rather than crimes.
Prosecutors said they plan to rest on Wednesday, after testimony began on May 12.
After that, Mr Combs's lawyers said they'll start calling witnesses.
Threats to release sex tapes
Other text messages jurors heard on Monday included Mr Combs's ex-girlfriend, identified by the pseudonym "Jane," complaining to him about sex marathons and to his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, about his threats to release sex tapes of her.
Jane laid into Mr Combs after Cassie sued him in 2023 for alleged sexual and physical abuse.
He promptly settled.
Jane, who dated Mr Combs from 2021 until his arrest last year, told Mr Combs she felt he exploited her with their "dark and humiliating lifestyle".
A month later, Jane texted Ms Khorram that Combs "just threatened me about my sex tapes" and said he'd send them to her child's father.
Jane told Ms Khorram she needed her help because Mr Combs was having one of his "evil-ass psychotic bipolar" episodes.
What is Combs charged with?
Mr Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges after his September arrest at a New York hotel.
Prosecutors say he coerced women over two decades to take part in drug-fuelled sex performances with male sex workers.
The defence says the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual.
He was denied bail multiple times and has remained incarcerated at a federal lock-up in Brooklyn ever since.
Juror dismissed despite defence objections about race
A Black juror was dismissed from Mr Combs's trial on Monday despite defence objections that the dismissal would reduce the racial diversity of the panel determining the singer's fate.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian said the juror's inconsistent answers to questions about where he lived raised questions about his honesty and could taint a verdict.
"Taking these all together, the record raised serious concerns as to the juror's candour and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury," he said.
Judge Subramanian said he took defence concerns about race seriously — Combs is Black — but could not take into account that the Black male juror would be replaced by a white male, who had been an alternate juror.
"The court should not, indeed cannot, allow race to enter into its consideration," the judge said.
ABC/AP/Reuters
