Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s trial begins in May. What’s happening right now as the prosecution and defence prepare?Criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent joins Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty to talk about pseudonyms, choosing juries, and picking the right expert.They’ll consider what cases like that of Michael Jackson’s doctor or OJ Simpson tell us about how US trials work.Meanwhile - Texan lawyer Tony Buzbee says he’s representing Andrew Tate’s ex girlfriend.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 Sound Design: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare FordhamCommissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial MillerSean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bad Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige.His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence.His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016.Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims.He is accused of the federal charges of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence. He denies the charges.
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BBC Sounds. Music, radio, podcasts. Hello and welcome back to Diddy on Trial with me, Anushka Matanda-Dowty. Subscribe and turn on your push notifications so you don't miss a thing, especially as we're going to be in New York covering every twist and turn of Diddy's federal trial, which starts in May.
He's charged with sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution and racketeering with conspiracy. He denies it all. As we build up to the trial over the next month, we'll be bringing you all the latest as the prosecution and defence get ready. And don't forget, you can always get in touch with us on WhatsApp at 0330 123 5551. That's 0330 123 5551 about any questions you'd like answering.
Today, we're taking a look at court experts, the back and forth over naming victims, the OJ jury questionnaires, and our Elsewhere in the Diddyverse, which is Busby, the Texan attorney who's filing civil cases for multiple alleged victims of Diddy. He's now going up against another high-profile name, the controversial social media figure, Andrew Tate.
Joining me today is our resident criminal defense attorney, Sean Kent. Hi, Sean.
Hey, how are you doing?
Sean, I'm looking at this docket every day. They are filing back and forth, right? One thing that stood out that I don't think we've spoken on the podcast before about is court experts.
At first I read this and I thought it meant people who had expert knowledge of being in court, but it became clearer that they are, it's kind of when they bring people in with a specialty in one of the areas they're discussing, right? Can you bring a court expert in about Anything at all? Or is there specific areas you have to pick from?
And that's a great question. And there's a standard before you can get in front of a jury. We have a couple of tests. It's from case law. One's called Daubert, D-A-U-B-E-R-T, and one is called Frye, F-R-Y-E. Those are the standards. The judge must, before you can even allow this person to get in front of the jury, they actually have to be an expert. You just can't say I'm an expert in gum chewing.
It has to be something that has scientific reliability to the community at whole. After the judge determines it has some level of expertise, the next thing they have to do is what's called a probative versus prejudicial balancing test. The judge has got to make a decision if this is actually going to be probative, helpful, or just prejudicial just to put information in there.
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