The Top 10 Crime and Justice Stories Of The Year - #1 - "THE FALL OF A MOGUL: DIDDY'S FREAK-OFFS, FEDERAL TRIAL & THE SHOCKING VERDICT"

0:03 Callarogashark Media, Good morning, I'm Reed Carter. Tuesday, December twenty third, twenty twenty five. We've reached the end of our countdown the number one crime and justice story of twenty twenty five. And if you've been paying any attention at all this year, you know exactly who this is about. Sean John Combs, Puff Daddy p Diddy Diddy, call him what you want. For thirty years, he was hip hop Royalty, the man who discovered and promoted Notorious Big, the founder of bad Boy Records, a three time Grammy winner, a fashion mogul, a media entrepreneur, worth an estimated billion dollars at his peak.

0:52 Now he's Federal inmate number fifty five, one hundred and seventy dash zero five to four at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, working in the prison chapel and enrolled in drug treatment. Expected release date May eighth, twenty twenty eight. How did we get here? How did one of the most powerful men in the music industry end up convicted of federal prostitution charges, sentenced to over four years in prison. It started with one woman's courage. November sixteenth, twenty twenty three, Cassie Ventura, the R and B singer who dated Combs for over a decade, filed a federal lawsuit rape, physical abuse, sex trafficking, years of control and coercion. She described being forced into drug fueled sex performances with male escorts, performances Combs called freak offs. One day later, they settled for twenty million dollars. Combs thought he'd made it go away.

1:47 He was wrong. That lawsuit opened the floodgates. More accusers came forward. Homeland Security started investigating. March twenty twenty four. They raided his mansions in Los Angeles and Miami, seized over a thousand bottles of baby oil and lubricant, seized firearms, seized evidence of what prosecutors would call a criminal enterprise. Then came the video May twenty twenty four, hotel surveillance footage from twenty sixteen Combs in a towel chasing Cassie down a hallway, grabbing her, throwing her to the ground, kicking her, dragging her by her sweatshirt, all on camera, all undeniable. September sixteenth, twenty twenty four, Combs was arrested in the lobby of the park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan, Indicted on racketeering, conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Denied bail, held at MDC Brooklyn for what would become thirteen months of pre trial detention. The trial began in May twenty twenty five. Jury selection started May fifth.

2:53 Opening statements began May twelfth, eight weeks of testimony thirty four prosecution witnesses, Cassie on the stand for four days, describing the horror of the freak offs, the violence, the drugs, the control. Another ex girlfriend testifying under the pseudonym Jane, with similar allegations. July second, twenty twenty five. The verdict guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, not guilty on racketeering, not guilty on sex trafficking, a split decision that pleased No one completely. October three, twenty twenty five, sentencing fifty months in federal prison, a five hundred thousand dollars fine, five years of supervised release. The judge told Combs he abused power and control with women you professed to love. This is the story of the year.

3:50 The rise and fall of a hip hop Titan the women who survived him, the system that finally held him accountable, at least partially, and the questions were still asking about wealth, power and justice in America. I'm reed, Carter, this is celebrity trials today, the fall of a mogul. Let's begin to understand the fall, you have to understand the rise. Because Sean Combs didn't just stumble into power. He built an empire through talent, ambition, and ruthless business instincts. Born November fourth, nineteen sixty nine, in Harlem, New York. His father, Melvin Combs, was shot and killed when Shawn was two years old, later revealed to be a drug dealer. His mother, Janis raised him in Mount Vernon, New York. Combs was driven from the start. Attended Howard University, though he dropped out after his sophomore year. Combs started working at Uptown Records as an intern. Within months, he was a talent director.

4:52 By twenty three, he was running artist development. This is where he discovered Mary J. Blige and helped launch jodas In. This is where he learned the music business from the inside. Combs was fired from Uptown, so he started his own label, Bad Boy Records, signed a distribution deal with Arista and discovered a Brooklyn rapper named Christopher Wallace. You know him as the notorious Big Biggie Small's one of the greatest rappers to ever live. Bad Boy exploded. Biggie's debut album, Ready to Die, went quadruple platinum. Combs signed Faith Evans one twelve total Mayze the Locks. He wasn't just a label executive. He was producing tracks, appearing in videos, building a brand around his own persona Puff Daddy became as famous as his artists. Combs released his own debut album, No Way Out. It debuted at number one, sold over seven million copies, won the Grammy for Best Rap Album.

5:54 I'll Be Missing You, his tribute to Biggie, who was murdered that March, spent eleven weeks at number one. Combs was everywhere. Over the next decade, Combs built a business empire. Shawn John clothing line won the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award in two thousand and four. Diagio partnership to promote Shirak Vodka turned it into a billion dollar brand. Revolt TV media company investments in everything from tech startups to charter schools. Forbes estimated his net worth at nearly a billion dollars. At his peak, he threw legendary parties, dated Jennifer Lopez, rubbed shoulders with politicians, celebrities, business titans, received a key to New York City in September twenty twenty three, an honorary doctorate from Howard University. He was untouchable, or so he thought. Behind the glamour, there were warning signs the nineteen ninety nine Club New York shooting. Combs was acquitted of weapons charges, but his then protege, Shine went to prison. Stories circulated for years about his temper, his need for control, his volatile relationships, but no one who mattered was talking until Cassie. Make it make sense.

7:07 A man builds a thirty year empire, accumulates a billion dollars, wins Grammys, gets keys to cities, and the whole time, according to prosecutors, he's running a criminal enterprise to satisfy his sexual desires, using his power to abuse, coerce, and silence the women in his life. The monster was hiding in plain sight, and it took one woman willing to speak up to bring it all crashing down. November sixteenth, twenty twenty three, Cassie Ventura filed her lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan, thirty pages of allegations that would change everything.

7:49 Cassie real name Cassandra Ventura, met Combs in two thousand and five. She was nineteen, he was thirty seven. He signed her to bad Boy Records. They began dating, and according to Cassie's lawsuit, that's when the control began. She alleged Combs dictated every aspect of her life, what she wore, who she spoke to, where she went. He paid for her apartment and expenses, which meant he controlled everything. She said, He had access to her medical records, had his staff monitor her movements. The physical abuse allegedly started early and continued throughout their decade long relationship, punching, kicking, dragging, stomping on her head when she was down. She claimed it happened too frequently and that his security staff witnessed it.

8:37 But the lawsuit's most shocking allegations centered on what Combs called freak offs. According to Cassie, these were drug fueled, multi day sex performances. Combs would direct her to have sex with male escorts while he watched and masturbated, He filmed everything, used the recordings as blackmail to keep her under control. She alleged the freak offs happened in hotel taels across the country New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas, even Abiza and Turks and Caicos. She was expected to find and hire the escorts, to arrange hotel rooms to procure the drugs. It became, in her words, a job. The lawsuit also alleged a twenty eighteen rape, and it described a March twenty sixteen incident at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles where Combs allegedly threw her to the ground and beat her in a hallway. That incident would later become the most damning piece of evidence against him. One day after the lawsuit was filed, Combs and Cassie settled twenty million dollars no admission of wrongdoing.

9:41 Comb's attorney called the settlement in no way an admission of wrongdoing, but the damage was done. The floodgates were open within weeks. More lawsuits followed. Joy Dickerson Neil alleged Combs drugged and assaulted her in nineteen ninety one, and filmed it. Liza Gardner alleged Combs and singer Aaron Hall sexually assaulted her in nineteen ninety when she was sixteen. An anonymous Jane Doe alleged Combs and two associates gang raped her when she was seventeen. By early twenty twenty four, the lawsuits kept coming. Producer Rodney Lil Rod Jones alleged Combs sexually harassed, drugged, and threatened him. Dawn Richard, a member of Danity Kin, a group Combs formed on his MTV show Making the band, alleged years of physical abuse and witnessed him beating Cassie. Combs denied everything posted on Instagram in December twenty twenty three, enough is enough. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear. I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. But federal investigators were already watching. Homeland Security investigations had opened a probe, and on March twenty fifth, twenty twenty four, they made their move. Heavily on. Armed federal agents descended on Combs's mansion in Los Angeles. Simultaneously another team hit his waterfront property in Miami. Combs wasn't home. He was in Miami at the time, but his sons, Justin and

11:14 Christian were at the LA property. Body camera footage showed agents handcuffing them, pushing them against walls. What investigators found inside those mansions would become evidence in the federal case. Firearms including three AR fifteen rifles with defaced serial numbers, ammunition, drugs, and over one thousand bottles of baby oil and lubricant one thousand bottles the freak off supplies, as prosecutors would later call them. The same day, Combe's alleged drug mule, Brendan Paul, was arrested at the Miami Airport with cocaine and marijuana edibles. Comb's lawyers called the raids a gross overuse of military level force and a witch hunt, but the investigation was just getting started then. On May seventeenth, twenty twenty four, CNN released the video hotel surveillance footage from the Intercontinental in Los Angeles March fifth, twenty sixteen, the incident Cassie had described in her lawsuit. The footage shows Cassie exiting a hotel room heading toward the elevators.

12:23 Combs emerges moments later, wearing only a towel. He runs down the hall, grabs her by the back of the neck, throws her to the floor, kicks her while she's down, kicks her again, drags her by her sweatshirt, throws objects. All captured from multiple camera angles. There was no denying it, no explaining it away, No settlement could make this disappear. Two days later, Combs posted an apology video on Instagram. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now. Cassie's attorney responded, Combe's most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. The La County District attorney said the assault was beyond the statute of limitations for criminal charges, but federal prosecutors had other plans. We'll be right back with the arrest, the indictment, and the trial that captivated America. Eight weeks of testimony, Cassie on the stand for four days, and a verdict that satisfied no One.

13:40 September sixteenth, twenty twenty four, Monday, evening the lobby of the Park Hyatt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Sean Combs had relocated to New York knowing federal charges were imminent. His attorneys had been negotiating with prosecutors, hoping for a voluntary surrender. Instead, federal agents moved early, arrested him in the hotel lobby took him into custody. The next morning, September seventeenth, the indictment was unsealed fourteen pages that painted a devastating picture three counts racketeering, conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, transportation to engage in prostitution. The indictment alleged Combs had been running a criminal enterprise since at least two thousand and eight, using his businesses Bad Boy Records. Comb's enterprises his various companies not just for legitimate purposes, but to fulfill his personal desires, particularly those relating to sexual gratification, including through the exploitation of women. The freak Offs were at the center of it all. Prosecutors described them as elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically record The victims were allegedly drugged with ketamine, ecstasy, GHB, and other substances, forced to participate for hours or even days,

15:10 left so exhausted they required IV fluids to recover. Prosecutors alleged Combs used violence, threats, blackmail, and financial control to keep victims compliant, that he brandished firearms to intimidate, that his staff, security guards, personal assistants, household employees helped facilitate the abuse. US attorney Damian Williams held a press conference Shawn Combs led and participated in a racketeering conspiracy that used the business empire he controlled to carry out criminal activity, including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Combs appeared in federal court that afternoon pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued for bail, proposed of fifty million dollar bond secured by Comb's Miami mansion, electronic monitoring, travel restrictions, surrender of passports. Prosecutors opposed called Comb's a serial abuser and a serial obstructor, said he posed a danger to witnesses and victims, said he had already attempted to contact potential witnesses. Judge Robin Tarnofsky denied bail.

16:24 Combs was remanded to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He would remain there for the next thirteen months through multiple bail appeals, all denied through pre trial motions, through the trial itself. MDC Brooklyn is not a pleasant place. The federal facility has been criticized for violence, unsanitary conditions, lack of heat and electricity. Comb's lawyers repeatedly complained about his conditions, said he couldn't adequately prepare for trial, said he was teaching business classes to other inmates to pass the time, but the process the acution was building its case. A superseding indictment in December twenty twenty four added more details.

17:06 Prosecutors gathered over forty potential witnesses, compiled evidence from the raids, subpoenaed records, prepared to put Sean Combs on trial for his life. The charges carried potential life sentences. Racketeering alone could mean twenty years to life. Sex trafficking carried a fifteen year mandatory minimum. Combs, at fifty five years old, faced the real possibility of dying in prison. His defense team, a roster of high powered attorneys, including Mark Agnifilo and Brian Steele, who had just won Young Thug's release from a Georgia racketeering case, prepared their strategy. They wouldn't deny the freak offs happened. They would argue they were consensual, that Cassie and the other women participated willingly, that this was a lifestyle shared by adults, not a criminal enterprise.

17:52 It was a high stakes gamble. And on May fifth, twenty twenty five, the trial began. May fifth, twenty twenty five, Manhattan Federal Court Judge Iran Subramanian presiding jury selection began for the trial of United States versus Sean Combs. After a week of questioning prospective jurors, many of whom had seen the twenty sixteen hotel video, a panel of twelve jurors and six alternates was seated. Opening statements began May twelfth. The all female prosecution team was led by Emily Johnson and Christy Slavic. They promised juror's evidence of a decade spanning criminal enterprise. Said Combs used his status and power to violently force women into sex acts, called him the king who tolerated no defiance. The defense, led by marc Agnifilo, conceited Combs has a temper and can be physical, but they argued the relationships were consensual, if toxic, that the freak Offs were a lifestyle, not trafficking, that this was the government policing the bedroom. The trial would last eight weeks, thirty four prosecution witnesses, graphic evidence, emotional testimony, and at the center of it all Cassie. She took the stand on May thirteenth, visibly pregnant with her third child, her husband, personal trainer Alex Fine, watching from the gallery. Combs's family,

19:23 his mother, Janis, his seven children, sitting behind the defense table for four days. Cassie testified described meeting Combs when she was nineteen, how the relationship quickly became controlling, how the abuse started and escalated. She described the freak Offs in devastating detail. How Combs would direct her to find male escorts online, How she'd arrange hotel rooms, always under aliases, always in hotels that wouldn't ask questions. How Combs would provide drugs ecstasy, ketamine, cocaine to lower her resistance. The freak Offs became a job. She testified where there wasn't any space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again. She described being filmed during the encounters, how Combs used those recordings as blackmail, threatened to release them if she ever left him, threatened to destroy her career. He told me about videos that he had that he was going to release. She testified that he was going to hurt me. She described the physical abuse, being punched, kicked, dragged, having her head stomped when she was on the ground, the injuries, the black eyes, the fear. How frequently was Shawn physical with you during your relationship? Prosecutor Emily Johnson asked, too frequently, Cassie replied.

20:44 Jurors were shown photographs from the Freak Offs, images on Cassie's devices sealed from public view. They saw the full twenty sixteen hotel video, fifteen minutes of footage from multiple angles saw Combs beating the woman he claimed to love. On cross examination, defense attorney Anna Estevou tried to paint Cassie as a willing participant. Showed text messages where she expressed affection for Combs, messages where she appeared to initiate freak Offs pointed out that she dated actor Michael B. Jordan when she wasn't with Combs. Evidence they suggested that she wasn't trapped, but Cassie held firm. Explained that she'd learned to placate Combs, that expressing desire for freak Offs was damage control, a way to avoid triggering his violence, that the cycle of abuse kept her trapped even when she wanted to leave. He was a scary person. She testified, he would be violent after Cassie came. Jane, another ex girlfriend who testified under a pseudonym, similar allegations freak Offs violence control a twenty twenty four incident where Combs allegedly assaulted her at her own home while under criminal investigation.

22:00 Male escorts testified about being paid to participate in the sex performances. One described witnessing Combs throw a bottle at Cassie and drag her by her hair. Former employees testified about the operation, the hotel bookings, the drug procurement, the clean up after freak Offs. Israel Flores, an LAPD officer who worked hotel security in twenty sixteen, testified that Combs offered him a bag of cash one hundred thousand dollars to stay quiet about the hallway assault. Flores said he refused. Prosecutors played audio recordings Combs calling victims from jail, allegedly trying to influence their testimony, Texts between Combs and his staff discussing drugs, escorts, hotel arrangements. After six weeks, on June twenty fourth, the prosecution rested thirty four witnesses, hundreds of exhibits, a mountain of evidence. Then something remarkedable happened.

23:01 The defense rested too, without calling a single witness, without putting Combs on the stand, without presenting any live testimony. It was a calculated gamble. Agnifilo later explained calling witnesses would open new avenues for prosecution cross examination. Better to rest on reasonable doubt, better to argue in closing that the government hadn't proven its case. Closing arguments began June twenty sixth. Prosecutor Christy Slavic spent nearly five hours walking jurors through the evidence. Called Combs a man who did horrible things to real people to satisfy his own sexual gratification. Said the freak Offs weren't a lifestyle, they were trafficking they were not paid for their time. Slavic said of the male escorts, they were paid for sex. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo gave a theatrical four hour closing, called the case badly, badly exaggerated, described Cassi and Combs as a great modern love story gone wrong. Warned jurors they could be next if the government could police bedrooms. Prosecutor Maureen Comy delivered the rebuttal for twenty years, the defendant got away with his crimes that ends in this courtroom on June thirtieth. The jury began deliberating. Three days later, on July second, twenty twenty five. They had a verdict. July second,

24:40 twenty twenty five. The courtroom was packed. Comb's family filled the gallery, his mother Janis, all seven of his children, his friends and supporters, Victims attorneys were present, media from around the world. Combs sat at the defense table in a dark suit. He'd lost weight during his thirteen months at MDC Brooklyn looked older than his fifty five years. The jury, four persons stood. Judge Subramanian read the counts. Count one racketeering, conspiracy not guilty, Count two sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Cassie Ventura not guilty. Count three, Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion Jane not guilty.

25:23 Count four, Transportation to engage in prostitution. Cassie Ventura guilty. Count five Transportation to engage in prostitution Jane guilty. A split verdict. Combs had beaten the most serious charges, the racketeering that could have meant life, the sex trafficking with its fifteen year mandatory minimum, but he was convicted on two counts of violating the Man Act, the nineteen ten federal law prohibiting transportation of people across state lines for prostitution. Each count carried up to ten years maximum put tiotential sentence twenty years. When the verdicts were read, Combs dropped to his knees, put his head on a chair in a prayer like position. His family stood, clapping and cheering.

26:11 Defense attorneys hugged. It felt, in that moment like a victory, but it wasn't over. Judge Subramanian denied bail pending sentencing. Combs went back to MDC Brooklyn. His attorneys filed motions to dismiss the convictions, arguing the Man Act shouldn't apply. The judge denied them. October third, twenty twenty five, sentencing day. The courtroom was even more crowded than verdict day. Line sitters had camped over night to secure seats for those who wanted to witness history. Prosecutors asked for eleven years and three months, called Comb's unrepentant, said he posed a continuing danger, said his pattern of violence demanded a severe sentence.

26:51 Defense attorneys asked for fourteen months, essentially time served. Played an eleven minute video showing Combs with his children, his charity work, his business achievements. Six of his seven children addressed the court, pleading for mercy. Cassie didn't attend, but her victim impact statement was submitted. I know that who he was to me, the manipulator, the aggressor, the abuser, the trafficker is who he is as a human. He has no interest in changing or becoming better. He will always be the same cruel, power hungry, manipulative man. Then Combe spoke for the first time in the case. He addressed the court directly. He apologized to Cassie. I want to personally apologize to Cassie Ventura for any harm that I've caused her emotionally or physically. I don't take that lightly.

27:43 He apologized to Jane. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry I brought you into my mess. He called his actions disgusting, shameful, and sick. Said he was sick from the drugs and out of control. Turned to his family in the gapery crying, told his mother, you taught me better, you raised me better. I have been humbled and broken to my core. Combs said, I hate myself right now. I've been stripped down to nothing. I really am truly sorry for all of it. He begged for mercy, asked the judge to make an example of what a person can do if they get another chance. Judge Subramanian was unmoved. You abuse the power and control with women you profess to love, the judge said, you abuse them physically, emotionally, and psychologically. He acknowledged Combs's success, his devotion to family, his charitable work, but said that didn't excuse decades of abuse.

28:44 Said a substantial sentence was necessary to send a message that abuse of women is met with accountability. The sentence fifty months in federal prison, four years and two months A five hundred thousand dollars fine, five years of supervise release after prison, including domestic violence treatment and mental health programs, with credit for the thirteen months already served. Combs's expected release date is May eighth, twenty twenty eight. He'll be fifty eight years old. Defense attorney Brian Steele called the sentence Unamerican, said Combs was sentenced for conduct the jury did not find him guilty of. They announced plans to appeal.

29:26 Cassie's attorney issued a statement, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed outside the courthouse. Supporters chanted free puff. Critics said he got off too easy. The debate continues. Make it make sense. A man builds a billion dollar empire, abuses women for decades, gets caught on video beating his girlfriend, faces trial with overwhelming evidence, and walks away with a four year sentence because the jury couldn't agree on the most serious charges. Is that justice? Or is that wealth and power buying the best legal defense money can afford your tax dollars at work, Sean Combs is no longer at MDC Brooklyn. On October thirtieth, twenty twenty five, he was transferred to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, a low security federal prison about eighty miles south of Manhattan. His lawyers requested it for the drug treatment program and to be closer to family. Fort Dix is a far cry from MDC Brooklyn, over four thousand inmates low security. He's enrolled in the residential drug abuse program. Completing it could knock time off his sentence.

30:43 He's working in the prison chapel, making friends with other inmates, including former NBA player Sebastian Telfair, who's serving time for defrauding the league's health plan. Within days of arriving, Combs was already in trouble. Made an unauthorized three person phone call on November third, a violation of prison rules. Said he was coordinating a statement to The New York Times with his legal team. Multi person calls are banned because inmates could use them to coordinate criminal activity. He faces possible loss of phone and commissary privileges. His attorneys have filed notice of appeal. They want an expedited schedule, arguing Combs could finish his sentence before the appeal is even heard if they wait. They're challenging the use of the Man Act, calling it infamous with a sordid history to prosecute sex between consenting adults. The civil lawsuits continue. Over one hundred accusers have come forward since Cassie filed her lawsuit in November twenty twenty three, allegations spanning decades, alleged victims as young as ten years old at the time of their alleged assaults. Some lawsuits have been withdrawn, others are preceding. The criminal case may be over, but Comb's legal battles are just beginning. His business empire has crumbled.

31:59 Bad Boy Records is effectively defunct. Revolt TV cut ties, his clothing lines are worthless. Forbes removed him from its billionaire list. Howard University revoked his honorary doctorate and returned his million dollar donation. New York City took back his key, Miami Beach revoked Diddy Day. Radio stations have pulled his music. Artists have distanced themselves. The man who once seemed untouchable is now a pariah. And then there's the Trump factor. In August twenty twenty five, said Combs was essentially sort of half innocent because he was acquitted on the most serious charges, said he'd consider a pardon or commutation, said Combs used to really like me a lot. After the sentencing, TMZ reported Trump was considering commuting Comb's sentence. The White House denied it, calling the report completely fraudulent and fake news.

32:58 But the question lingers, will Sean Combs serve his full sentence or will political connections by him early freedom? The unanswered questions pile up. Why did the jury acquit on racketeering and sex trafficking but convict on the Man Act charges? The legal distinction is subtle. Sex trafficking requires proof of force, fraud, or coercion, while the Man Act only requires transportation for prostitution. Did jurors believe the freak offs happened but weren't sure the women were truly coerced? How many other victims are out there? Over a hundred accusers have filed civil suits? How many more never came forward? Who else knew? Combs's staff allegedly helped facilitate the freak offs for years? His chief of staff, his security guards, his assistants. Will any of them face charges? And the question nobody can answer, how did this go on for so long? Cassie testified that she was controlled for over a decade. Other victims allege abuse going back to the early nineteen nineties, three decades of alleged predation, and nobody stopped him until Cassie found the courage to file that lawsuit in November twenty twenty three. That's the real story of twenty twenty five, not just the fall of Ditty, but the system that enabled him for thirty years, the industry that looked the other way, the victims who were silenced, the power that protected a predator. Cassie Ventura should be applauded for her courage.

34:28 She blew the whistle, knowing the cost, knowing the settlement she'd signed, knowing the video that existed, knowing what would happen when she spoke. In her statement after testifying, read by her attorney, she said, I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear. Her husband, Alex Fine, added, Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. Someone had to say something, someone had to break the silence. It cost Cassie years of trauma to do it, but she did it, and because of her, Sean Combs is in prison today. That's our top ten crime and justice stories of twenty twenty five. Countdown complete.

35:22 Number ten Karen Reid acquitted of murder. The jury believed the frame up theory. Convicted only of drunk driving one year probation. Now she's suing everyone who tried to put her away. Number nine Donald Trump. Two assassination attempts, survived, pardons for allies, commutation rumors for Diddy denied. The President who dodged bullets now decides who escapes justice. Number eight the Epstein files. Trump signed the release bill, Bondi opened a new investigation. The client list doesn't exist, they say. The powerful remain protected. Number seven Luigi Mangone. He shot the healthcare CEO and became a folk hero. Terrorism charges dropped, federal death penalty still looms, pre trial hearings under way.

36:11 Number six Charlie Kirk, America's youngest Conservative kingmaker, assassinated at thirty one. The shooter confessed to his roommate. Death penalty sought trial pending political violence claims. Another victim. Number five Mark Sanchez, NFL legend stabbed five times over a parking space. Fox fired him. Trial delayed to March twenty twenty six. The truck driver claimed self defense. Number four Cardi b the rapper beat the case. Jury took less than an hour to clear her of assault. I did not touch that woman. Victory Number three Justin Baldoni versus Blake Lively, his four hundred million dollar countersuit dismissed her one hundred sixty one million dollar lawsuit heading to trial March twenty twenty six. Hollywood's ugliest feud isn't over yet. Number two Brian Coberger nine hundred and sixty two days of I'm innocent, then he confessed. The Idaho murders finally solved, but Kaylee, Maddie, Zana, and Ethan are still dead and their families are still grieving.

37:21 And Number one Sean Diddy combs from freak offs to federal prison, acquitted on trafficking, convicted on prostitution charges. Fifty months now at Cushy Fort. Dick's fighting for early release. The hip hop mogul who built bad Boy Records, brought down by the women who survived him. These are the stories that defined twenty twenty five. Violence and justice, power and accountability, victims finding their voices, and systems that both failed and finally worked. Tomorrow we returned to regular programming, back to the daily grind of celebrity trials and courthouse drama. Whatever breaks, we'll cover it. But today I want to leave you with this thought. Every one of these stories started with someone deciding to speak up. Cassie Ventura filing her lawsuit, the families demanding answers, victims overcoming fear to tell their truth. Justice doesn't happen automatically. It happens because people make it happen, because they refuse to stay silent, because they demand accountability even when the powerful tell them to shut up. That's what Celebrity Trials is about. Not glorifying criminals, not sensationalizing tragedy, but telling the stories of people who fought for justice and sometimes one. I'm read Carter, thank you for spending twenty twenty five with us, Thank you for listening, Thank you for caring about these cases and these victims. See you tomorrow. This is Celebrity Trials.