Fingerprint Evidence Sparks Mistrial Request in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Case, Denied by Judge

This government exhibit shows damage to rapper Kid Cudi's Porsche from an alleged 2012 firebombing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' attorneys unsuccessfully requested a mistrial Wednesday, arguing that prosecutors improperly suggested Combs authorized the destruction of fingerprint evidence collected during the investigation. The judge denied the request, instructing jurors to disregard testimony about the fingerprints.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' request for a mistrial in his sex trafficking and racketeering trial was swiftly denied Wednesday by a federal judge who rejected claims of prosecutorial misconduct involving destroyed fingerprint evidence linked to the alleged firebombing of rapper Kid Cudi’s car.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed arguments from Combs’ attorney Alexandra Shapiro that the prosecution improperly suggested the music mogul authorized the destruction of fingerprint evidence from the 2012 incident. "There was absolutely no testimony from the witness that was prejudicial in any way, shape or form," Subramanian stated, instructing jurors to disregard the testimony in question.

Combs, 55, faces charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals to engage in prostitution, with potential penalties up to life imprisonment if convicted.

The prosecution alleges Combs orchestrated acts of intimidation and violence, including the alleged January 2012 firebombing of Kid Cudi's Porsche, to silence individuals who might speak against him. Kid Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, testified last week he believed Combs orchestrated the attack after learning Mescudi had dated Combs' former partner, singer Casandra Ventura.

Ventura previously testified that Combs explicitly threatened to blow up Mescudi’s car. Additional testimony from former assistant Capricorn Clark supported claims that Combs had violent intentions toward Mescudi.

Fire investigator Lance Jimenez testified that fingerprint evidence from the firebombing scene was destroyed without his knowledge on orders from a Los Angeles police officer not directly involved in the case. Judge Subramanian emphasized to the jury that this detail was irrelevant and should not influence their deliberations.

Combs' defense insists he played no role in the arson, highlighting the absence of physical evidence linking him directly to the act. The trial continues in Manhattan federal court with further testimonies expected.