Diddy Trial: Federal Prosecutors Aim to Refocus Jury Interpretation (Part 1) (6/26/26)

Beyond The Horizon

On June 24, 2025, the prosecution in United States v. Combs submitted a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian outlining its requested revisions to the Court’s proposed jury instructions. The Government focused on ensuring that the legal language provided to jurors accurately reflected the elements of the charges and the standards for assessing the evidence presented during trial. These changes were framed as necessary to clarify certain points of law and to avoid confusion or misinterpretation by the jury during deliberations.
Specifically, the Government asked for adjustments in how the Court defines terms relevant to the RICO and sex trafficking charges, as well as how jurors are to weigh credibility and determine the presence of coercion or conspiracy. The letter emphasized the importance of precision in explaining legal thresholds such as "reasonable doubt" and the role of predicate acts in establishing a racketeering enterprise. The Government also noted that its suggestions were consistent with Second Circuit model instructions and past precedent, aiming to protect the integrity of the jury’s decision-making process in a complex and high-profile case.
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source:
gov.uscourts.nysd.628425.422.0.pdf