A weekly news podcast for the true crime junkie, from the true crime experts you’ve come to trust. Every Thursday Dateline correspondent Andrea Canning and her guests dive into the biggest crime stories of the week, bringing you the latest on trials and investigations around the country. Whether she’s talking to reporters fresh from the courthouse, NBC News legal analysts or a Dateline team in the field, she’s got fresh insights and behind-the-scenes scoops. Stay up to date and in the know with Andrea and her guests as they listen in on court proceedings, swap story tips and dissect cases. And you never know when Josh Mankiewicz or Keith Morrison might drop in.
In Kentucky, emotions ran high as the jury returned a verdict in the Crystal Rogers murder case a decade after she disappeared. In Iowa, Snapchat messages take center stage at the trial of a woman accused of murdering her husband. Closing arguments in the murder trial of MLB pitcher Dan Serafini and a sentencing date for Sean Diddy Combs. Plus, Josh Mankiewicz tells us what it was like reporting on the missing person's case of someone he might actually have met. Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com Learn more about the Nancy Snow case and Season 4 of Missing in America: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/cold-case-spotlight/nancy-snow-mysterious-annapolis-disappearance-rcna178477
In Idaho, Bryan Kohberger faces a judge and the families of the students he murdered as he pleads guilty. In Kentucky, the prosecution calls more than a dozen witnesses in the case of a murdered mom of five. A verdict in Sean Combs's trial and new charges in the Kouri Richins case. Plus, in New Mexico, a new public alert system for the missing.Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com
After more than 13 hours of deliberation over three days, the New York jury found Combs not guilty on a RICO conspiracy charge, not guilty on a sex trafficking charge involving Cassie Ventura, and not guilty on a sex trafficking charge involving his ex-girlfriend "Jane," who testified under a pseudonym. He was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, then denied bond while he waits for his sentencing hearing. That hearing is scheduled for October but could move up. The prosecution is arguing he should be sentenced to around four and a half years, while the defense says the federal guidelines for his offenses put him closer to two years.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
After two hours of instructions from Judge Subramanian -- including how to gauge the credibility of witnesses and a reminder to not google anything -- the jury began deliberating. Combs appeared less stressed than he did during closings. After the jury left, the judge closed the courtroom to give him some time with his children.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued that Cassie Ventura was the winner of her relationship with Combs. "She is sitting somewhere in the world with $30 million," he said. "He's in jail." And he tried to make the prosecution of Combs relatable. "They take yellow crime scene tape, figuratively, and they wrap it around his bedroom," he said. "The crime scene is your private sex life." In its rebuttal, the prosecution said the defense "just spent a whole lot of energy trying to blame his victims and the U.S. government for his lies, his threats, and his violence."If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
"He won't take no for an answer," said prosecutor Christy Slavik. She said it over and over during a summation that lasted more than four hours. She argued that the "common purpose" of Combs and his "inner circle" -- his chief of staff, his bodyguards, and some of his assistants -- was to protect him from bad press and law enforcement. And she recounted the dramatic stories told in the courtroom in the past six weeks: Goodfellas-type scenes of alleged bribery, arson, and kidnapping.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy https://www.nbcnews.com/diddy-on-trial
In Colorado, Barry Morphew is arrested for the second time for the murder of his wife, Suzanne, who disappeared on Mother's Day in 2020. In Bowling Green, Kentucky, two men go on trial for the murder of mom Crystal Rogers. Updates on Monica Sementilli and former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini. Plus, we've all seen age-progressed images of missing children — can they actually help?See more of Dateline's reporting on missing persons cases in which age-progressed images are featured here: https://www.nbcnews.com/age-progressions Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com
Today, after calling 34 witnesses over six weeks, federal prosecutors rested their case. After that, the defense put on their case. It took them only a half an hour. They called no witnesses. They did argue that the case should be dismissed because the prosecution didn't meet its burden of proof. But the judge reserved his decision on that, and the trial remains on track for the jury to hear summations on Thursday.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
In the last days of the trial, the prosecution played more videos of the sexual encounters at the center of the case. Their summary witness also introduced texts and voice notes in which Combs's staff arranges travel for his girlfriends and Combs himself haggles over the price of escorts. In the morning, the defense announced it won't be calling any witnesses at all.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The prosecution called one of its last witnesses -- personal assistant Brendan Paul, who testified he was arrested last spring because he covered for Combs when federal agents found something illegal in his bag. Plus an interview with Joe Tacopina, who represented Michael Jackson, Meek Mill, and ASAP Rocky, but turned down Combs's case. He rates both legal teams' performance so far and tells us what his closing argument would be.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
In Dedham, Massachusetts Karen Read's supporters gather outside the courthouse as the verdict is read. In a suburb of Charleston, SC, the retrial of a jeweler accused of killing his wife is stopped in its tracks. Plus, an update in the upcoming trial of children's author, Kouri Richins. And how to avoid tariff scams.Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com
The day began with the judge interrogating both legal teams over the source of a leak. It ended with a closed-door discussion about a newly discovered juror issue. In between, the prosecution showed receipts, including some that showed Bad Boy Productions on the hook for an AMEX that paid for "hotel nights." The defense showed more text messages, including some where Cassie Ventura seemed receptive to Combs's requests for the sexual encounters they called Freak Offs.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The prosecution called a paralegal and an investigator to introduce messages of all kinds between Combs's chief of staff, his other employees, his ex-girlfriends -- and him. The government alleges the messages show proof of a RICO conspiracy that involves the people who worked for him. On cross, the defense pointed out how many messages the government was ignoring and showed additional messages to contextualize the prosecution's exhibits. Combs was yawning.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Another former personal assistant of Combs was called by the prosecution. He testified that he set up -- and cleaned up -- "hotel nights," but on cross-examination said that he never saw "Jane" hesitant to participate or appear unhappy afterward. Plus Kanye West pulled up to the federal courthouse in a Maybach. He watched the testimony in an overflow room for about ten minutes.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Both sides have played voice messages Combs sent this witness, who's testifying under a pseudonym, over the course of their three-year relationship. They're trickling out to the press as exhibits are released days later. The defense says the ones made public on Thursday show "Jane" taking the initiative to set up "hotel nights" without Combs' requesting one. But she testified that the defense was missing the point of the messages. "The undertone of that is -- I hear these things entirely differently," said "Jane."If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Karen Read's retrial is entering its final days, but the drama in the courtroom shows no sign of slowing down. New charges for a former sheriff's deputy in the Betsy Faria case. Updates in the cases of MLB pitcher Dan Serafini and Lori Vallow Daybell. Plus, how jury instructions can make or break a trial. Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com
Defense attorney Teny Geragos pushed "Jane," who's testifying under a pseudonym, on her repeated choice to stay with Combs despite sexual performances that she says she was coerced to join. But "Jane" said Combs didn't make it easy for her to leave him. "He would offer a breakup," she said on the stand. "And then a week later he would be persistent, blow up my phone. Have other people blow up my phone. Be looking for me. Wanting to see me. And he'd be right back in my face."If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The second witness using a pseudonym said on the stand that she "currently" loves Combs, even after telling her story of a brutal beating at his hands just one year ago. She then testified that she only participated in what she calls "hotel nights" because she didn't want Combs to feel judged for his sexual desires. And after her sexual performances were complete, she pampered him, including giving him foot rubs and turning on his favorite TV show.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
On Friday the prosecution played three voice notes Combs sent his then-girlfriend -- testifying anonymously -- over the course of their three-year relationship. On Monday, she read out loud the texts she sent him after Cassie Ventura filed suit against him in 2023. "I feel like I'm reading my own sexual trauma," "Jane" wrote. "It makes me sick how three pages, word for word, is exactly my experience and my anguish." Plus, MSNBC legal correspondent Lisa Rubin joins to tell us how she thinks the prosecution's case is looking.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
A second anonymous witness testified that Combs pushed her to perform with a succession of commercial sex workers. In one text message she sent to him she wrote, "I don't want to play this role in your life anymore. It's dark, sleazy, and makes me feel disgusted with myself. I feel it's the only reason you have me around and why you pay for the house. I don't want to feel obligated to perform these nights with you in fear of losing the roof over my head." She sent that text in September of 2023 but testified that she participated in "hotel nights" with Combs through the summer of 2024.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The woman called Victim-2 in the government's third superseding indictment -- she's using a pseudonym to testify -- was dating him until his arrest last fall. She alleges he coerced her into a version of the sexual performances Cassie Ventura has testified about. She testified that Combs was paying her rent, and when she told him she didn't want to perform sexually anymore, he told her he'd stop the payments.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
In Massachusetts, tension on the witness stand as Karen Read's defense team makes its case for a second time. Dateline correspondent Josh Mankiewicz shares updates on the case of Michigan grandmother Dee Ann Warner ahead of her husband's murder trial. And a courtroom sketch artist covering the Sean Combs trial on capturing what cameras can't.
Combs's team has said the allegation is "baseless," but the witness -- a friend of Cassie Ventura's -- also testified that Combs once got close to her face and said, "I'm the devil and I could kill you." She'll face more cross-examination tomorrow, and then the prosecution's last key witness will take the stand.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Eddie Garcia, who worked security at the hotel where Sean Combs was caught on video beating Cassie Ventura in a hallway, testified that Combs paid $100,000 for what he thought was the only copy of it. He also said on the stand that Combs called him "my angel." Plus an outburst by a Diddy supporter in the courtroom, and the judge puts restrictions on exhibits after Victim-4 is named publicly.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The defense continued hammering "Mia," who worked as Sean Combs's assistant and is now testifying, under a pseudonym. She testified that she told no one about her assault allegations until June of 2024 because she was "terrified and brainwashed." Defense attorney Brian Steel entered texts between Combs and "Mia" into evidence, texts where she reached out to him to offer support and love, including one sent just weeks before Cassie Ventura filed her explosive lawsuit.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The prosecution showed texts sent by "Mia" -- a former personal assistant of Combs testifying under a pseudonym -- where she told his chief of staff that she was having "night terrors" about him. But the defense left binders of printed out Instagram posts on the jurors' chairs. In most of them "Mia" praised her boss and showed off a party-heavy, globe-trotting lifestyle. Combs's attorney Brian Steel also pushed back on her claims that Combs sexually assaulted her.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
A woman who worked as Combs's personal assistant testified -- under the pseudonym "Mia" -- that he once had her work five days straight with no sleep, threw things at her, including a laptop and an ice bucket, and that he sexually assaulted her. On the stand she said an "irate" Combs once chased her and Cassie Ventura onto a Caribbean beach and that they paddled out into the ocean to get away from him, but the weather turned. "I was trying to weigh if it was scarier to face mother nature or to go back to Puff," she said. "Mia" testified that she never told anyone Combs was allegedly sexually assaulting her. "I was going to die with this," she said. "I didn't want anyone to know ever."If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Almost a decade after Kentucky mom of five Crystal Rogers went missing, the first of three men charged in connection with her death goes to trial. The prosecution in the Karen Read case calls their final witness -- an accident reconstructionist. Updates on former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini and "Rust" movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Plus, NBC News Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos breaks down when lawyers can -- and can't -- object in court.
Combs's defense team objected to prosecution questions about fingerprint evidence from Kid Cudi's Hollywood Hills home that was destroyed in the custody of the LAPD. "They were suggesting to this jury that someone in this courtroom had something to do with the improper and suspicious destruction of these fingerprint cards and that's outrageous," said defense attorney Marc Agnifilo. But the judge refused to call a mistrial.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Diddy's longtime employee took the stand with her version of a story previously relayed by Cassie Ventura and Kid Cudi. She says she was kidnapped from her home by a gun-toting Combs, who told her they were going to kill Kid Cudi, and she watched as Combs "gained access" to the pop star's house. Plus, she says, years before that she was subjected to five days of lie detector tests conducted by a man who said, "If you fail these tests, they're going to throw you in the East River." But the defense showed Clark proof she asked for Combs's forgiveness -- and another job. Combs's team denies all her allegations and disputes even use of the words "kidnapping" or "break in."If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The artist and onetime romantic rival of Combs testified that after Combs found out he'd been dating Cassie Ventura, he broke into his house and unwrapped his Christmas presents. A few weeks later, someone dropped a Molotov cocktail through the roof of Kid Cudi's car. Combs has denied involvement in both incidents.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
In Placer County, California, a former MLB pitcher is on trial for allegedly gunning down his in-laws in their home. He says he didn't do it. A new expert testifies at the Karen Read retrial about data pulled from Read's car. He says it nails down the prosecution's timeline of what happened. The defense has a blistering response. Updates on the Menendez brothers and Lori Vallow Daybell. Plus, an attorney talks about witnesses who testify anonymously. Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com
Dr. Dawn Hughes, who's testified as an expert in R. Kelly's sex trafficking trial and the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation proceedings, took the stand on Wednesday to lay out the psychological reasons a victim might stay in an abusive relationship. She was cross-examined by a new addition to the defense team -- this brings Combs's attorney total to nine. NBC News legal analyst Danny Cevallos joins Andrea and Chloe to talk about what the jury might think looking at Combs's very crowded defense table.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
For two years, David James ran errands for the head of Bad Boy Entertainment, bought his snacks and packed his prescriptions. And once, he says, he was the driver when Combs went looking for his longtime rival Suge Knight -- with three handguns in his lap. Also on Tuesday, a male stripper whose performs under the name The Punisher testified that during his paid sexual encounters with Combs and Cassie Ventura, he felt like he and Cassie were actors, and Combs was the director. If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The former Danity Kane member endured a tough cross-examination but maintained that she witnessed Combs be violent toward his ex-girlfriend on more than one occasion. And Kerry Morgan, who says she and Cassie became best friends when they were both teenage models, says she too witnessed Combs asault Cassie. But when Combs assaulted Kerry, she says, she signed an NDA and broke ties with both of them. If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The defense goes on the attack, playing an audio tape of Cassie making threats and yelling. They get her to describe what she saw of Sean Combs's drug use and question her about her own, and try to poke holes in her rape allegation. After redirect from the prosecution, Cassie's testimony comes to an end after more than 20 hours on the witness stand. Her lawyer answers questions outside the courthouse. If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy https://www.nbcnews.com/diddy-on-trial
The defense showed Combs's ex-girlfriend texts where she appeared to be a willing participant in drug-fueled sex acts. She testified that in the early days of their relationship she wanted to make him happy, but later feared his anger if she said no. Ventura also admitted to jealousy over other women Combs was dating during their 11 years together, but said Combs's jealous rage turned into violence, such as when he found out she was dating musician and actor Kid Cudi. Allegedly he kicked her in the back and later blew up Kid Cudi's car.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
The Menendez brothers have been resentenced and are now eligible for parole. Will they go free? A supervisor in the Karen Read case is on the stand for a marathon three days of testimony. Plus, updates in the cases of Donna Adelson, Lori Vallow Daybell, and Harvey Weinstein. Find out more about the cases covered each week here:www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com
On day three of testimony, Combs's ex-girlfriend -- due to give birth in weeks according to her lawyer -- testifies that the record label executive used recordings of sexual performances that he directed her in as leverage to keep her from leaving him. She said she feared her mother seeing them and the ruin of her career. In court the jury watched stills from the videos behind privacy screens.If you want to read NBC's coverage of the trial, check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
In emotional and sometimes graphic testimony, Cassie Ventura tells the jury about her relationship with Sean Combs, who she says was abusive, violent and controlling. Chloe Melas describes how Combs -- who has denied all the allegations against him -- reacted in court.For more NBC coverage of the trial check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Chloe Melas describes the mood inside and outside the Manhattan courthouse on the first day of testimony. The record producer has denied the allegations against him, and in his defense's opening statement claimed the encounters described in the indictment were consensual. A security guard tells the jury what he saw after Combs was caught on tape beating Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway. Then a man who says he took part in freak offs testifies that he too witnessed alleged violence by Combs toward Cassie. For more NBC coverage of the trial check out our newsletter, “Diddy On Trial”: NBCNews.com/Diddy
Keith Morrison shares his latest reporting on the murders of four University of Idaho students including exclusive interviews and never-before-publicly-seen video. The retrial of Karen Read is in week three. The prosecution plays some of her final voicemails to John O'Keefe. And jury selection is underway in Sean Combs's blockbuster trial.Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com