OK - US v. Combs Day 10 starting with rulings on testimony of Capricorn Clark and others, DNA in Kid Cudi's burned car, Investigator Jiminez - Inner City Press covering the trial, book on Week 2 play.google.com/store/books/de… and will live tweet, thread below x.com/innercitypress…
AUSA: Did you get paid overtime?
Capricorn Clark: No. I spoke to the head of HR. She said I was owed $80,000
AUSA: How did Mr. Combs respond?
CC: He ripped up the paper.
AUSA: Would Mr. Combs stay at hotels?
CC: Yes.
AUSA: With whom?
CC: Kim Porter. Once a week.
AUSA: What names would he book room under?
Capricorn Clark: Frank Black. Frank White.
AUSA: And the girlfriends?
CC: Jackie Star.
AUSA: Where did he stay?
CC: Inter-Continental Buckhead in Atlanta; Beverly Hills Hotel in LA.
AUSA: What were in his bags?
Capricorn Clark: A camera, small bottles of baby oil and lube. Cameras. Every time.
AUSA: What you you be doing?
CC: Watching TV, ordering room service, keeping up on sleep. Afterward I'd sweep the room for anything left behind.
AUSA: Any damage?
CC: Baby oil
AUSA: How frequently would Mr. Combs stay in a hotel with Cassandra Ventura in 2008?
Capricorn Clark: Like once a week. At l'Hermitage, the London, Inter-Continental. For several days, the IV drips
AUSA: Did he speak to you about his relationship with Ms. Ventura?
Capricorn Clark: Yes. Ms. London was there, chef Jourdan in the other room. He called Cassie over, asked her to walk there, hand me that, go back in the other room. She did it.
AUSA: What did he say?
CC: You b*tches won't do that, that's why you don't have a man
AUSA: What did you say?
Capricorn Clark: You're motherf*cking right.
AUSA: Did you observe Mr. Combs obtain drugs?
CC: A girlfriend in NY. In LA, from One Stop. Molly, Ecstasy. Delivered to Puff or to me
AUSA: Did he ask you to get drugs for him?
CC: Yes. Ecstasy
AUSA: And in the South of France?
Capricorn Clark: He asked me to get cocaine. I said, For WHO?
AUSA: Why?
CC: I wasn't going to do it, given how my mother died
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection! Sidebar?
[Sidebar]
[They've back]
AUSA: Who did Mr. Combs say the drugs were for?
Capricorn Clark: He said, Not me.
AUSA: Did you get them?
CC: Yes, through the Spanish security guard. He also get prescription drugs in my name. They were in the toiletry bag I'd carry, or security
AUSA: What about bulk cash?
Capricorn Clark: Yes, 100,000 Euro, coming back from Europe.
AUSA: Where'd he get it?
CC: Club bookings in Europe. He'd keep it, then give it to security. Then into his bedroom personal safe.
AUSA: Violence?
CC: Fighting
AUSA: Was Mr. Combs violent with you?
Capricorn Clark: Yes. At Star Island. He told me, You are not to leave this house. Pharrell Williams was brought in by boat. I returned Mr Walker to Palm Island. He called & said, Where the f*ck are you? You can't have a life
Capricorn Clark: One time I asked the chef if there was turkey bacon, she said, No f*cking turkey bacon. I said, I hate it here. The chef told Mr. Combs & he pushed me again & again.
AUSA: What did he say?
CC: He said, If you hate it here, get the f*ck out of here
AUSA: Did you leave your employment?
Capricorn Clark: I did.
AUSA: But you returned?
CC: As Global Brand Director.
AUSA: Why?
CC: He was impressed by what I did in the job I'd left for, a couple of albums. He said, you wouldn't have to work directly for me
AUSA: What were you doing for Ms. Ventura?
Capricorn Clark: Managing her image, maximize the optics for her. For Sean Combs. He had final approval on everything.
AUSA: In LA where did you live?
CC: A gated community. We had followed Kim Porter there
AUSA: Where was Ms. Ventura?
Capricorn Clark: In NYC on West End. She would come to LA and stay with him, or with me, or in a hotel.
AUSA: Who else was Ms. Ventura seeing?
CC: Scott Mescudi. Cudi.
AUSA: How'd you learn that?
CC: She brought him to my apartment
AUSA: What did she say?
Capricorn Clark: She text me they were going to this public place in LA. I told her it was a bad idea, and to delete the text/
AUSA: Why?
CC: If Mr. Combs learned about Mr. Mescudi - I mean, Mr. Combs paid for my phone, and hers.
Capricorn Clark: I took Cassie to BestBuy to get a burner phone.
AUSA: When did Mr. Combs return to town?
CC: Not long after. He took Cassie to a hotel, the Cipriani
AUSA: And then?
CC: December 22, 2011, between 5:30 and 6 am. There was banging at my door
AUSA: What did you see through the peephole?
Capricorn Clark: A furious Puff.
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection.
Judge: Ask another question, Ms Steiner.
AUSA: What was his movement?
CC: Pacing with something in his hand.
AUSA: Did you open the door?
CC: I did.
AUSA: What was he wearing?
Capricorn Clark: Button down sweater, torn pants - & he was holding a gun. He came into my apartment and said, Why didn't you tell me? Who is Scott? I said, I don't know any Scott.
AUSA: What did he say?
CC: We're going to go kill this N
AUSA: Where was the gun?
Capricorn Clark: In his hand. I said I didn't want to go. He said, I don't give a f*ck what you want - get dressed.
AUSA: What concerns did you have?
CC: He'd never come to my house.
AUSA: Did you try to escape?
CC: No. I got dressed.
AUSA: Who joined in?
Capricorn Clark: Ruben. In the black Escalade, executive class.
AUSA: Where was Ruben?
CC: Driver's seat. I got in the backseat, right hand side. Mr. Combs was in the left, next to me. Usually he would have sat in the front. Gun was in his lap
AUSA: How long does it take to drive from your home at the time to Cudi's house in the Hollywood Hills?
Capricorn Clark: If you push it, 15 to 20 minutes.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs and Rube do at Cudi's house?
CC: They went in.
AUSA: Could you see in?
CC: Yes
AUSA: What did you do?
Capricorn Clark: I called Cassie on her burner. I said, Cassie, where the f*ck? I told her Puff was at Cudi's house. Then I changed her number in my phone to my best friend Stormy.
AUSA: What did you hear on the phone?
Capricorn Clark: That Scott was at Cassie's.
AUSA: When Mr. Combs came back?
CC: He took my phone and called the last number. Then I saw Cudi driving up - Mr. Combs saw my face and said, There's that N right there!
Capricorn Clark: We drove off and saw the police driving the other way, toward Cudi's. Puff was pulling himself together. We stopped at the Key Club and he told me to call Cassie.
AUSA: What did he tell you to tell Cassie?
CC: That he had me and wouldn't let me go
AUSA: How did Ms. Ventura respond?
Capricorn Clark: She said, OK come get me. She was calm.
AUSA: Who drove you home?
CC: Ruben.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs then tell you?
CC: To convince Cudi not to say that it had been him at his house. I picked up Cassie
AUSA: Where did you go?
Capricorn Clark: We went to Cudi's & tried to convince him not to file a police report.
AUSA: What did you tell them?
CC: That Puff came to my house with a gun.
AUSA: What did you tell them he said?
CC: If you tell on him, he'll hurt us all
AUSA: What was Mr. Mescudi's reaction?
Capricorn Clark: Mind blown.
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection!
Judge: Sustained. Jury will disregard.
AUSA: What happened at the house?
CC: He was kicking Cassie again and again
AUSA: How was Cassie?
Capricorn Clark: In the fetal position. Mr. Combs kicked her all the way to the street. She was crying silently.
AUSA: Where was he kicking her?
CC: Her back, her backside [voice cracks]
AUSA: Where were you?
CC: Five feet away. So was Rube
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say to you?
Capricorn Clark: He said, If you jump in, I'm going to f*ck you up to.
AUSA: What did Rube do?
CC: Nothing.
AUSA: Who did you call?
CC: D-Roc. I told him, Tell your brother to stop Puff, he is k*cking the sh*t out of her
Capricorn Clark: I called Paulie too. I said he'd take care of it. But Rube did nothing.
AUSA: What next?
CC: Mr. Combs told me to get the f*ck out too. I left on foot.
AUSA: Could you still see her getting kicked?
CC: Until I went around the bend.
AUSA: Then who did you call?
Capricorn Clark: Regina Ventura. I told her, He's kicking the sh*t out of your daughter. I can't call the police but you can.
AUSA: Why didn't you call the police?
CC: The mission of the day was to get Cudi, so no calling police
AUSA: This email, Who is it from?
Capricorn Clark: Cassie. She wrote that he would be releasing sex tapes about me and he would have someone else hurt me and Scott Mescudi
AUSA: Do you recall if you responded to this?
CC: I don't.
AUSA: Did law enforcement call you?
Capricorn Clark: The arson investigators. Cudi had given them my name. I hung up on them. I just wanted this over.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say to you?
CC: He said, I should kill you b*tches and I should cut her face.
AUSA: How many times did Mr. Combs threaten you?
Capricorn Clark: I'd say fifty times. D-Roc was there, just doubling down on whatever Puff was saying in the moment.
AUSA: Who is Harv Pierre?
CC: The president of Bad Boy Records. I told him Puff had kidnapped me
AUSA: What did Harv Pierre tell you?
Capricorn Clark: He said, That's crazy but it's going to be OK. I got a termination notice. I was accused on not properly putting in for the vacation I was on.
AUSA: Had you put in?
CC: Yes, to Harv Pierre.
AUSA: Did you lose benefits?
Capricorn Clark: All of them. Health, 401(k), my house and car.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say?
CC: That I would never work again. That he would make me kill myself.
AUSA: Did you get a job offer?
Capricorn Clark: I did but it fell through. I couldn't get a job.
AUSA: Did you settle with Mr. Combs?
CC: In October 2012. For --
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection! Can I approach?
[sidebar]
[During sidebar, here's court art of Capricorn Clark courtesy to Inner City Press from artist Elizabeth Williams
@sdnylive [They've back]
AUSA: Aside from that settlement agreement, do you have any other pending litigation against Mr. Combs?
Capricorn Clark: No.
AUSA: Did you go back to work for him?
CC: 2016, no one else would hire me. Cassie had a new record deal with Epic.
@sdnylive AUSA: Who did you have to get approvals from?
Capricorn Clark: Sean Combs. Cassie was taking more drugs.
AUSA: Was she still dating Mr. Combs?
CC: Yes.
AUSA: In Dec 2023 why did you retain an attorney?
CC: I was traumatized by Cassie's civil complaint
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: Her complaint did not reference me. I reached out to Mr. Combs and said, I want my life back, you kidnapped me
Combs' Agnfilo: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
AUSA: Was there a discussion of you working for Mr. Combs again?
CC: Yes, as chief of staff
@sdnylive AUSA: When did you last speak with Ms. Ventura?
Capricorn Clark: 2018.
AUSA: And Mr. Mescudi?
CC: 2012.
AUSA: No further questions.
Judge: Break-
Combs' Agnifilo: Can I start?
Judge: We'll, we're taking a break
@sdnylive [They've back]
Judge: Ms. Clark, you are still under oath.
Combs' Agnifilo: We met in April 2024 - you had a lawyer, Bryan Freedman?
Capricorn Clark: Yes.
Agnifilo: You wanted to come back and work with Mr. Combs, right?
CC: We discussed it, yes
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: You saw Ms. Geragos taking notes?
Capricorn Clark: Yes.
Agnifilo: You said you didn't think Cassie was good for Mr. Combs - why?
CC: I just thought they were toxic.
Agnifilo: Tell me about when you were in NY
CC: I was in the Bronx, I hated it
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: It was 2002, I met Jeannette, then Mr. Combs. In 2001 was the World Trade Center thing. Then I met Mr. Combs.
Combs' Agnifilo: He wasn't doing drugs, right?
CC: He did Ecstasy in Daddy House.
Agnifilo: But it got worse?
CC: Yes.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: You authorized Mr. Freeman to seek a job for you?
Capricorn Clark: It was all very procedural, lawyer to lawyer.
Agnifilo: But you were told you couldn't be given a job in the middle of the investigation?
CC: I don't remember that.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Read this and let me know when you're done. Do you remember saying you had the biggest crush on him?
AUSA: Objection, 403
Judge: Mr. Agnifilo?
Agnifilo: State of mind
AUSA: It's being offered for the truth.
Agnifilo: We had a stip on this
Sidebar
@sdnylive [They've back]
Combs' Agnfilo: You called him Choc, for Chocolate?
Capricorn Clark: I did.
Agnifilo: You started with Def Jam - Run DMC?
CC: I don't go back that far. I'm more Foxy Brown, Redline, Jay-Z
Agnifilo: So how did you come to work for Mr. Combs?
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I put my resume on Monster after the World Trade Center thing... He said, you'd work for me? I was like, Maybe. He was acting on Broadway in Raisin in the Sun. I was impressed.
Combs' Agnfilo: He had a major part?
CC: He was a star.
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: Then I shadowed him on the Vote or Die campaign. My job was to get the T-shirts on the celebrities and into the photo shoots. I'd call them and say Puff wanted them to come.
Combs' Agnifilo: And they came?
CC: They did.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: How long before the jewelry missing thing?
Capricorn Clark: It was about four months. On the 4th of July he threw a white party at his home on the Hamptons that year, with Vote or Die
Agnifilo: When did the jewels missing happen?
CC: After July 4
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: The jewels were still on loan from Jacob the Jeweler.
Combs Agnifilo: Who else got lie detector?
CC: Mike B, his stylist. He too had gone to street level of 1440 for manicures. The lie detector test was the next day
Agnifilo: You never told HR?
No
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I got fired for 3 weeks.
Combs' Agnifilo: How did you get unfired?
CC: I went to work on his 35th birthday at Cipriani, to do the celebrity list. I came back.
Agnfilo: 2004 to 2006-
CC: Not all.
Agnifilo: As personal assistant?
CC: Then Liaison
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I was making $65,000 for Combs, then $90 at Jive.
Combs' Agnifilo: Why'd you come back to Combs?
CC: I had gotten top records, for R.Kelly -Mr. Combs said he was impressed, asked me to come back for Sean Jean for women
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I think I was a really good employee for him.
Combs' Agnifilo: He told you you were awesome?
CC: He did not use that word.
Agnifilo: You worked hard for him?
CC: I did.
Agnifilo: Others worked hard too, right?
CC: Not as hard as me.
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I did learn a lot from Mr. Combs [almost crying] he broke that glass ceiling for us black people in the business world.
Combs' Agnifilo: Do you need a minute?
CC: No, it's just complicated -
Judge: We'll take a break
@sdnylive With jury and witness out:
Judge: On DNA questions to Inspector Jimenez, the Government's objection is overruled.
AUSA: We ask for a bit longer, we've not been able to eat lunch - we are running ahead of schedule - our case may be closer to 5 weeks than 6 weeks
@sdnylive [They've back. Below juror and witness in]
AUSA: They proposed to use communications between Ms. Clark and Ms. Ventura - we don't see any non hearsay purpose.
Combs' Agnifilo: There are logistics and photo shoots being discussed. She testified to this on direct
@sdnylive Combs's Agnifilo: The direct went more negative than we expected. Their theory is that Ms. Ventura was not permitted to be creative-
Judge: In the future, in what you submit overnight
[Inner City Press: must be in docket storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
@sdnylive Judge: In their defense submission over the weekend the defense argued the album covered was relevant - right Ms. Shapiro?
Combs' Alexandra Shapiro: Yes.
AUSA: Ms. Ventura is topless with her arms crossed. So we -
Judge: Let's have Ms. Clark comes back
@sdnylive Judge: Now let's bring in the jury in.
Jury entering!
Combs' Agnifilo: When you went into the park, it was to Tavern on the Green.
Capricorn Clark: We parked there. Earlier in the day in the park we ran into Nas...
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: When you say he had Ms. Ventura spin, who was there? Let me show you what you said... You said Laurieann Gibson was there?
Capricorn Clark: They mis-heard me.
Agnifilo: When did you first meet Cassie Ventura?
CC: I met her with Ryan Leslie
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Why did you not get along with Cassie sometimes?
Capricorn Clark: In 2008, she got more bravado being his girlfriend the longer it lasted. She thought I was being paid to help her
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Substained. Re-ask
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: What did you see?
Capricorn Clark: She went from being a sweet model to being a feisty girlfriend.
Agnifilo: Do you think she was talented?
CC: She had talent and was very beautiful.
Agnifilo: But not talented?
CC: She was not. I have good taste
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: Talented to me is Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Cassie, she was more of a studio musician. She needed things equalized.
Combs' Agnifilo: Did she perform live?
CC: A couple times. Not the greatest.
Agnifilo: Was she a hard worker?
A: At times
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: When wasn't she a hard worker?
Capricorn Clark: She preferred to be with her boyfriend. When we moved to LA, after Kim had the twins, 2009-ish. I saw her developing more of her relationship with Puff - with Mr. Combs.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: He supported her?
Capricorn Clark: Yes, with stylists, other musicians, all the components to make a star.
Agnifilo: Did she get more help than others?
CC: Yes, Yung Joc and a groups from Atlanta. I developed French Montana
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I ran into Cassie, she said she had a new deal with Epic. I dressed her like David Bowie. We did a photo shoot at my house. We wrote a mini movie and shot it, for the project.
Combs' Agnifilo: What about Official Girl?
CC: Super cute video
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: King of Hearts?
Capricorn Clark: It was fresh, Puff liked it.
Agnifilo: Cassie had a green wig?
CC: Yes.
Agnifilo: We move to admit this witness
AUSA: There is a sealing issue
Agnifilo: You don't remember this email?
CC: I don't
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Here in 2012 you are setting up a recording session for Cassie-
Capricorn Clark: Mario Winans was. For the chairman.
Agnifilo: For Mr. Combs?
CC: Yes
Agnifilo: When did you learn Cassie was dating Kid Cudi?
CC: Fall of 2011. I picked her up there
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: You believed that after Thanksgiving Ms. Ventura and Kid Cudi were.. what?
Capricorn Clark: Getting to know each other.
Agnifilo: Why'd you get her a burner phone at BestBuy?
CC: I told her, You cannot do this on your Bad Boy phone.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: How did you know about burner phones.
Capricorn Clark: I grew up in Los Angeles.
Agnifilo: In December 2011 Mr. Combs was at an orphanage in Almaty, Kazakhstan?
CC: I heard it was Russia.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: How did Mr. Combs get into your building?
Capricorn Clark: I was told the security guard got fired.
Agnifilo: What was his name?
CC: Some random security guard.
Agnifilo: What did he look like?
CC: Black guy. Younger than 35.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: What was Mr. Combs doing with the gun?
Capricorn Clark: He had it in his hand.
Agnifilo: He wasn't pointing it at you?
CC: No.
Agnifilo: But you told the government he pointed it at you
CC: It says, Or waved it around. That's more correct
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Where did you change into street clothes?
Capricorn Clark: In my closet.
Agnifilo: Isn't it true you went so that Mr. Combs wouldn't do something stupid?
CC: No. I went because he said he didn't care I didn't want to go.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: He's a jealous guy?
Capricorn Clark: He has a bad temper.
Agnifilo: To the Escalade - did you pass a security guard?
CC: I saw him, in his little hut.
Agnifilo: Mr. Combs was behind the driver with a gun on his lap - you made a call?
A: Not then
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Did you look at Kid Cudi's door to see if they could get through it?
Capricorn Clark: I was not really paying attention. I was so in my head trying to plan my next step. I was praying that Cudi was not in there.
Agnifilo: Did Cassie have 2 rooms?
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: Cudi took her to one room, she had another.
Combs' Agifilo: You are 100% that you called and told them, Puff had a gun?
CC: Yes. I said it very quickly. I didn't want Puff to see me on the phone...
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Did you say that Lauren London was on the phone with you and Cassie and Cudi?
Capricorn Clark: No. Only part of the time. [Voice cracking] I wanted someone to know where I was.
Agnifilo: What did you tell her?
CC: I'm scared of mountain lions
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Mountain lions?
Capricorn Clark: I don't know if you know the Hollywood Hills, coyotes... Maybe Lauren was on the phone? Maybe. It's such a long time ago
Agnifilo: Are you aware that Lauren and Mr. Combs were friends for years after this?
A: Yes.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Then you see the Porsche coming up the hill?
Capricorn Clark: Yes. Cudi is in the black Porsche. He stops next to us then speeds off. We chase him.
Agnifilo: Then?
CC: He loses us, we turn away. Then we see police pass us.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: You go to pick up Cassie and go where?
Capricorn Clark: Cudi's house. There was ADT there.
Agnifilo: Then you go to Mr. Combs' house and you say you see Mr. Combs kicking Cassie there and even in the street?
CC: Yes.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: You hung up on the fire inspector?
Capricorn Clark: I did.
Agnifilo: When you were on vacation, it was with who?
Clark: Rihanna.
Agnifilo: After you were fired, what job did you get?
CC: I was hired by Chris Lighty to work for 50 Cent
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Here you wrote to Mr. Combs, One day you'll forgive me... Anyway, be well, xx.
Capricorn Clark: Yes.
Agnifilo: You wrote, on Feb 28, 2015, Your grace period to be mad at me has surpassed the agreed time LOL - you wrote that?
CC: Yes sir.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Please read that out loud.
Capricorn Clark: I wrote, She was never my friend. She wanted me gone, I realized
Agnifilo: Did you think Cassie wanted you gone?
Clark (cryng) S-s-s-orry. This is complicated for me. I felt that I was Puff's protector
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I felt I was the only one gone, she was still there.. And things were getting worse. I'd tried to keep professionalism as the goal.
Combs' Agnifilo: You thought you could be his protector?
CC: It was to move the ball toward the goal, to inspire
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: Did it hurt, that he would only take you back because Cassie wanted?
Capricorn Clark: Yes... I have no parents. My son is autistic. My stakes are higher, sir
Judge: How much more, Mr Agnifilo?
Agnifilo: Can I talk to the government?
Judge: Sidebar
@sdnylive [They've back]
Combs' Agnifilo: Just a few more minutes and we'll get you out today
Capricorn Clark: Thank you, sir.
Agnifilo: You did a lot of great work with Cassie i 2016 and 2017, right?
CC: I believed so.
Agnifilo: Cassie had addiction problems?
CC: Yes.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: You made a short movie with her?
Capricorn Clark: It was called Love a Loser.
Agnifilo: You wrote to him asking for forgiveness?
CC: I wanted my life back! My dream, my competency.
@sdnylive Combs' Agnifilo: When you met with me, you wanted to work for him, right?
Capricorn Clark: We discussed it.
Agnifilo: Nothing further.
Judge: Ms. Steiner?
AUSA: How much was Mr. Combs required to pay you?
Judge: Sidebar.
@sdnylive AUSA: What happened with the job with Chris Lighty?
Capricorn Clark: He died, the day before I was supposed to start... Then at Interscope, it wasn't about a job, they told me to leave Puff alone
Combs' Agnifilo: I object.
Judge: Sustained.
@sdnylive Capricorn Clark: I was blacklisted
Agnifilo: Objection
Judge: Sustained
AUSA: Why did you return to work for Mr. Combs?
CC: So people could see I wasn't disposable. At this level of business he held all the power.
AUSA: Why did you meet them?
A: Get my life back
@sdnylive AUSA: In the kidnapping, did Mr. Combs carry a gun?
Capricorn Clark: Yes...
Judge: Jurors, I know we kept you longer than I said. Thank you. See you tomorrow. All rise!
[Jurors leave]
@sdnylive Judge: Tomorrow?
AUSA: LAPD, LAFD Jimenez, Nash and Mia.
Agnifilo: What about the VTC with Mr. Combs in MDC-Brooklyn jail?
Judge: There are logistical difficulties in the evening. They believe they are being flexible.
Geragos: We get cut off after 5:30 pm.
@sdnylive Geragos: The legal minutes cut off when MDC Legal is not there. The other calls are capped at 300 minutes, they are filtered.
Judge: Let me work on that. There are union issues with the VTC in the evening.
Geragos: Maybe more SCIF time here.
OK - jury deliberating in trial v BNP Paribas for role in Sudan genocide - BNP said it was OK because UN was there - notes, verdict and book (98% ready). Inner City Press, to UN/AU Mission in Darfur before being banned by SG @AntonioGuterres will live tweet below
10:30 am -
Two plaintiffs' lawyer sit at their table, waiting for notes - or verdict - from the jury. Inner City Press will live tweet as things happen. For now, here's more court art courtesy to Inner City Press from Elizabeth Williams - yesterday's attendees
10:50 am
Judge Hellerstein: Here is what I propose to tell the jurors: damages should not be awarded due to sympathy. I'll hear counsel at the sidebar
OK - closings in trial v BNP Paribas for role in Sudan genocide - then verdict and book (almost ready). Inner City Press which reported on & from UN/AU Mission in Darfur before being banned by SG
@AntonioGuterres
incl from #UNGA80 will live tweet, thread below
Judge Hellerstein [before jury is brought in] I deny motions to change my jury charge, but I add this language on natural causations. That's the charge I'm giving. Objections?
Plaintiffs' lawyer: We don't thing BNP Paribas' assistance was required
Judge: Denied
Judge: Bring in the jury for the closing arguments.
Jury entering!
Judge: Mr. DiCello?
Plaintiffs' lawyer Mark DiCello: Good morning, including Mr. Abdalla [plaintiffs present] Three survivors, from different villages, from 1998 to 2008, all Black Africans
OK - back in trial v BNP Paribas for role in Sudan genocide, charge conference before closings next week. Inner City Press which reported on & from UN/AU Mission in Darfur before being banned by SG @AntonioGuterres incl from #UNGA80 will live tweet, thread below
BNP Paribas' lawyer: There must be one main perpetrator. The alleged tortious conduct all occurred in Sudan, outside the--
Judge: The objection is overruled.
BNP's lawyer: We do not think the Sudan government can be held liable for indirect agents
Judge: I'll take out the word "indirectly."
Plaintiffs' lawyer: Then just say, the Government acted
Judge: OK, I'll take "directly" out too.
BNP's lawyer: Gov't of Sudan had to have acted against these very plaintiffs, not others.
OK - back in trial v BNP Paribas for role in Sudan genocide, BNP lawyers citing Janjaweed Musa Hilal. Inner City Press which reported on and from UN/AU Mission in Darfur before being banned by SG
@AntonioGuterres
incl from #UNGA80 will live tweet, thread below
BNP's lawyer: I'm going to read you two sentences, Defense Exhibit S-i.
Judge: A report by the Department of State, human rights.
BNP's lawyer: "Darfur continued to be a scene of humanitarian abuses, the government only disarmed the Fur and non-Arab groups
BNP's lawyer (reading) Bashir suspended the constitution, abrogated free press- power went to Turabi's National Islamic Front." Your Honor, may we offer some statements from Colin Powell?
Judge Hellerstein: Let me see the excerpt... Yes
BNP's lawyer (reads Powell)
OK - back in trial v BNP Paribas for role in Sudan genocide, BNP lawyers now putting on defense case. Inner City Press which reported on and from UN/AU Mission in Darfur before being banned by SG
@AntonioGuterres incl from #UNGA80 will live tweet, thread below
BNP Paribas' first witness is its COO Phlippe Maillard.
BNP lawyer: Did BNP outside the Americas do business with Sudan?
Plaintiffs' lawyer: Objection!
Judge: Sustained.
BNP lawyer: Did BNP Suisse in Geneva do business with Sudan?
Maillard: Yes.
BNP's lawyer: What type of commodities were exported from Sudan to Europe?
Judge: Get on with it! I'll see you at sidebar.
OK - now US v Sean Combs sentencing starts. US wants 11 years, he wants time served; today he has a video & at least 4 lawyers to speak. Opposed "Mia," but she will speak. Inner City Press wrote the book and will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0DHP7YF19
As Combs' lawyer mill around, he has still not been brought out. A US Marshal brings out a big sheaf of papers and a red book, picks up the chair to search underneath. All clear.
9:56 am - Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo and Brian Steel are talking low next to the lectern. Alexandra Shapiro stands with Nicole Westmoreland. The prosecutors are seated at the front table, minus one: Maurene Comey