Legal experts analyze as prosecutors modify charges against Sean «Diddy» Combs before jury deliberations, removing allegations while maintaining the core RICO conspiracy count.
Lawyers on both sides of the Sean «Diddy» Combs trial hammered down instructions Wednesday for the jury to begin deliberations once closing arguments wrap up in the former record executive’s federal trial for alleged sex crimes.
Prior to a charge conference, prosecutors indicated in court they are not pursuing a number of allegations against the «Victory» rapper that pertain to a racketeering charge.
The updated request from the government more than seven weeks after the trial began gave pause for concern about the status of the case. Criminal defense attorney Eric Faddis, founding partner of Colorado-based Varner Faddis, explained that eleventh-hour changes in the charges might mislead the jury.
DIDDY PROSECUTORS ABANDON MULTIPLE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST RAPPER DAYS BEFORE TRIAL’S END
«In order to find Diddy guilty of RICO, the jury has to find him guilty of at least two underlying crimes in connection with the alleged criminal enterprise, Bad Boy Entertainment», Faddis told Fox News Digital. «This move by the prosecution significantly limits the underlying crimes the jury can consider in deciding if Diddy is guilty of RICO, thereby reducing the scope of the RICO charge and the case more generally. All things considered, I think it makes it less likely that Diddy will be found guilty of RICO.»
In a letter submitted to Judge Arun Subramanian Tuesday and obtained by Fox News Digital, the government indicated it will not be pursuing theories of attempted kidnapping, attempted arson and aiding and abetting sex trafficking.
DIDDY’S FREEDOM ‘RISES AND FALLS’ ON CASSIE VENTURA TESTIMONY AS LAWYERS PREP FOR CLOSING ARGUMENTS: EXPERT
«The Government understands the Court’s desire for streamlined instructions. With that in mind, the Government has suggested ways to streamline those instructions», the document states.
«Specifically, the Government has removed instructions from the charge relating to (i) attempted kidnapping under both California and New York law, (ii) attempted arson under California law, and (iii) aiding and abetting sex trafficking.
