Stay ConnectedOn January 1, 2023 Ana Walshe, a wife and mother of three, disappeared from her Massachusetts home and was never seen again. Her husband, Brian Walshe, is now on trial for first-degree murder. CNN chief legal analyst Laura Coates takes you inside the courtroom action on this fast moving case.
Also in this feed: Trial by Jury: Diddy
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Brian Walshe admitted to improper conveyance of a body and misleading the police, but denies killing his wife. His Google searches are key evidence, but do they show premeditation? Laura Coates and Jean Casarez break down the trial so far.
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After a summer trial that gripped the nation, Sean "Diddy" Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution. Last Friday, the music mogul turned convicted felon received his sentence: 50 months in prison and a $500,000 fine. Laura Coates speaks with writer Touré about the cultural significance of the verdict, then gets legal analysis from attorney Joey Jackson.
This episode was produced by Paola Ortiz, Eryn Mathewson, Rachid Haoues and Andrea Lewis
Senior producer: Dan Bloom
Technical director: Dan Dzula
Executive producer: Steve Lickteig
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The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is over, but the rap mogul’s legal woes aren't. He was acquitted on the more serious charges he faced, but he’s awaiting sentencing on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Meanwhile, the lead prosecutor in the case, Maurene Comey, was fired this week. Laura joins legal analysts Joey Jackson and Misty Marris for a post-trial post-mortem, and dissects the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution’s RICO case, what to make of the 66 pending civil lawsuits against Diddy, and what Comey’s ouster has to do with all of it.
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The verdict’s been rendered, and despite his attorney’s arguments that he should be released on bail, Sean "Diddy" Combs is back in custody awaiting sentencing on two felony charges. But there’s a lot to unpack. Laura Coates was in lower Manhattan for the circus that unfolded yesterday, and also talked to several people about their big takeaways: an alternate juror who wasn’t surprised that Diddy beat the RICO charge; former record executive "Suge" Knight, who called in from prison; and attorney Gloria Allred, who’s representing clients bringing civil suits against Diddy.
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The jurors delivered verdicts this morning on all five counts against Sean "Diddy" Combs. The big news? He’s been acquitted on the more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges, which could have put him in prison for the rest of his life. He could still face prison time for his conviction on the lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. From outside the courthouse in lower Manhattan, CNN’s Laura Coates shares details of the scene in court, and tells us what the verdicts may mean for Combs.
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Jurors have decided verdicts on four of the five counts against Sean “Diddy” Combs — but they still have one more to deliberate on. CNN’s Kara Scannell describes the atmosphere in the courthouse today as Laura Coates tells us where this trial could go from here.
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Seven weeks. Twenty-nine days of testimony. Thirty-four witnesses. And now, there's nothing left for the jury in the federal criminal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs to hear besides their instructions from the judge. CNN’s Laura Coates and Elizabeth Wagmeister were in court Friday as the defense wrapped up its closing argument and the prosecution gave its rebuttal. They break down the last words from both sides in the trial that will decide Diddy’s fate.
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As federal prosecutors delivered their closing argument in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial, they boiled down seven weeks of testimony — 34 witnesses and thousands of pages of evidence — into a sharp, simplified case for conviction. All eyes now turn to Diddy’s defense team, who will present their closing argument tomorrow after resting their case without calling a single witness. Attorney and legal analyst Joey Jackson joins and tells Laura how he sees it.
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The end is in sight in the federal criminal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. CNN entertainment correspondent Elizbeth Wagmeister brings us her big scoop of the day: Diddy himself won’t testify. She explains what experts say is the reason. Then, Laura Coates catches up with BBC presenter Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, host of Diddy On Trial, who helps break down the prosecution’s case so far — what’s worked in their favor, and where they might struggle to convince the jury.
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All eyes were on the jury in the courtroom of the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial this week after juror No. 6 was dismissed. Former federal prosecutor and white-collar defense attorney Gene Rossi explains why he was booted just as the prosecution gets ready to rest its case — and why the defense is up in arms about it. He also shares why his opinion has shifted when it comes to which side has the upper hand. Plus, CNN entertainment correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister zeros in on why the prosecution’s summary witness is so crucial in a complex case.
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Rapper Kanye West showed up at court today to support Sean “Diddy” Combs, putting a spotlight on the role of fame and celebrity in this trial. We get an update on the circus that ensued at the courthouse today. Then entertainment lawyer Lisa Bonner weighs in on the fifth week of testimony and whether Diddy’s larger-than-life persona will work in favor of the prosecution — or the defense.
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Kanye West, now known as Ye, is one of Sean "Diddy" Combs's most vocal supporters in the music business. Elizabeth Wagmeister reports on Ye making his presence felt around the trial. Then, a former girlfriend of Diddy known as “Jane” finished her testimony by hugging prosecutors and defense attorneys. Laura Coates wondered how that would land in court, so she called jury expert Faye Honig for an insider’s view.
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As the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs enters its second month, we get the latest from the courtroom, including details of a tense exchange during cross-examination of Diddy’s ex-girlfriend "Jane." Then: What’s it like to sit across from Diddy in a deposition? And if he takes the stand in his criminal trial, what would his lawyers want him to say? Laura talks to Perry Sanders, Jr., defense attorney and former lawyer for the estate of the Notorious B.I.G., who weighs in on how Diddy turns on the charm — and why those involved in parallel civil suits against the music mogul will follow any testimony from him closely.
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If Cassie’s turn on the stand was shocking, the marathon testimony we heard from the witness known only as "Jane" in week four of the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs was jaw-dropping. Laura and CNN Entertainment Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister break down major moments and walk us through how the prosecution is mounting their racketeering and sex trafficking case, from accusations of drugs in checked luggage, a "love contract," and emotional and graphic text exchanges.
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It’s been a busy fourth week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal trial: a woman dangling from a 17th floor balcony, the threat of Combs being removed from the courtroom for nodding a the jury, and a new alleged victim on the stand known as “Jane.” Our guest is Joe Tacopina, former attorney for President Trump and the rapper A$AP Rocky, who breaks down the legal risks of the testimony and the courtroom conduct.
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This week, Laura interviewed Marion “Suge” Knight about the ongoing trial of his longtime music industry rival Sean “Diddy” Combs. Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year-sentence on a manslaughter charge, talked from a prison phone about the way the industry takes advantage of artists, what has and hasn’t surprised him about the allegations against Combs, and why he thinks the prosecution’s efforts might fail. We bring you their conversation in a weekend bonus episode.
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The third week of the federal criminal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs brought more explosive testimony from several key witnesses, including a former assistant identified to the court only with a pseudonym, “Mia,” who claimed the rapper physically and sexually assaulted her repeatedly during her eight years working for him. On today’s show, we hear why her testimony might be some of the most important in the case. And Laura interviews Diddy’s former publicist Rob Shuter, who describes how Diddy crafted — and manipulated — his own public image.
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Sharay Hayes, the exotic dancer known by his stage name "The Punisher," took the stand last week during the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial to testify about what he did, saw and heard during the so-called “freak-offs” he was paid to participate in. Today, he sits down with CNN’s Laura Coates to give us a candid telling of his encounters with Diddy and Cassie Ventura. Plus, we hear the latest on testimony from a close associate of both Diddy and Cassie — a stylist whose perspective on Diddy's control of Cassie's look is important to the prosecution's case.
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As the second week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s racketeering trial came to an end, all eyes turned to another entertainer, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, whose explosive testimony about Diddy included allegations of a burned-out Porsche and a frightened dog. CNN entertainment correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister joins Laura Coates to break it all down, and we revisit a conversation with Diddy’s former makeup artist, Mylah Morales, which was referenced in today’s testimony.
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As the second week of Sean "Diddy" Combs’ racketeering and sex trafficking trial unfolds, the abuse and coercion alleged by Combs’ ex-girlfriend has been in the spotlight. Laura Coates speaks with Dr. Lisa Fontes, a professor and expert on intimate partner violence and coercive control, to unpack what the jury heard and what it reveals about the prosecution’s strategy.
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As week two of the RICO and sex trafficking trial against Sean "Diddy" Combs continues, Laura Coates sits down with Suzi Siegel, one of Combs’ former assistants, to hear more about what went down in Diddy’s world behind the scenes. Plus, we learn from CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister about a key piece of testimony from Cassie Ventura’s mother.
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Laura Coates catches entertainment correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister just after court concludes for the week for a breakdown of the most important moments and the biggest shocks from the first week of the federal criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. They get into Cassie Ventura’s emotional testimony, the potential impact of the settlements she’s now disclosed, and the surprising testimony from another witness that puts the case in a new light.
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On day three of Diddy’s federal criminal trial, Cassie Ventura wrapped up her harrowing testimony — and the effects were immediate. Her words, and the disturbing details of Diddy’s alleged abuse and so-called “freak offs," will have a big impact on the defense's strategy when they cross examine her tomorrow. Laura Coates breaks down what it all means with criminal defense attorney and CNN legal analyst Mark O’Mara.
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On the second day of Diddy’s federal trial, all eyes turned to star witness Cassie Ventura. The singer, once signed to Bad Boy records, had a complex relationship with Diddy marked by abuse. But will the jury see her only as a victim? We’ll ask one of Bill Cosby’s former attorneys,Monique Pressley.
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The federal racketeering and prostitution trial against rap star and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs got underway in New York on Monday. In our new series Trial By Jury, we bring you an inside look into the explosive opening arguments and the shock waves the trial is sending through the music world. CNN’s Laura Coates sits down with music journalist and culture critic Touré to dig into how this trial is reshaping Diddy’s legacy.
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