Entertainment
Diddy Files Motion for Acquittal or New Trial, Says Mann Act Doesn’t Apply to Him
Diddy Wants New Trial
I’m Just a Voyeur & Amateur Pornographer …
Mann Act Doesn’t Apply to Me!!!
Published
Diddy wants his conviction on 2 counts of the Mann Act overturned, and if not, he’s demanding a whole new trial on those charges … according to new docs filed late Wednesday night.
It’s pretty stunning, but in the docs, obtained by TMZ, Diddy and his defense team make the case for Judge Arun Subramanian changing the Mann Act conviction to an acquittal. Here’s why … the Mann Act involves transporting someone across state lines for the purpose of sex.
TMZ.com
But, Diddy’s team says they believe he’s the only person ever convicted under this statute who did not make money off prostitution, did not have sex with an alleged prostitute and did not arrange the prostitute’s transportation.
Translation: he’s done none of the things spelled out in the Mann Act. Remember, during the trial, none of the sex workers, nor Cassie Ventura or “Jane” testified Diddy engaged in sex with the sex workers. They all said he was either watching and/or recording the freak-off sessions as the women had sex with the hired guns.
Testimony also revealed it was typically the women, not Diddy, who made all the arrangements — travel, compensation and hotels — for the sex workers involved in the freak-offs.
Further, they say Diddy’s sexual involvement was basically voyeurism, and they point out “multiple state courts have held that paying for voyeurism — to watch other people have sex — is not prostitution.”
Now, Diddy also says the male sex workers they hired were not only consenting, but they “enjoyed the activities and had friendships with [Cassie and “Jane”] and were not merely traveling to have sex for money.”
In other words … they were all good buddies. We’re not sure how much of a difference that will make, legally speaking, but there it is.
TMZ.com
Finally, Diddy says the freak-offs were protected under the First Amendment, because they were recording, or as they put it in the docs … “producing amateur pornography for later private viewing.”
Now, if the court does not overturn his Mann Act convictions — counts 3 and 5 in the federal indictment — Diddy’s defense says he deserves a new trial, where only evidence related to those counts is admitted. Specifically, his lawyers say that would exclude the Cassie beating video.
Department of Justice
According to the docs, that evidence was only admitted in his trial because of the RICO and sex trafficking charges — of which he’s been acquitted — and if Diddy were only facing the Mann Act charges, the infamous Intercontinental Hotel footage wouldn’t be relevant … and would only be “unfairly prejudicial.”
Diddy’s legal power move here comes on the heels of TMZ breaking the story … President Trump is already considering a pardon for Diddy, and could make a decision as soon as the judge makes a decision on Diddy’s latest motion to be released on bail ahead of his October sentencing.
TMZ.com
What’s clear now is … Diddy not only wants his freedom, but he wants it with a clean legal slate.
Rob Reiner & Wife Michele
Found Dead at L.A. Home …
Wounds Consistent With A Knife
Published
Rob Reiner — the legendary director — and his wife Michele Singer Reiner have died … TMZ has confirmed.
As we told you … two dead bodies were found in Rob and Michele’s Brentwood home Sunday afternoon — and law enforcement sources tell us it is the Reiners.
Our sources say the two suffered lacerations consistent with a knife. The LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division is still investigating.
Rob — the son of famed comedian Carl Reiner, who passed away in 2020 — started his career in show business as a comedy writer in the 1960s … working as Steve Martin‘s writing partner on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1968 and ’69.
Throughout the 1970s, Rob starred as Michael Stivic — also known as “Meathead” — on the hit sitcom “All in the Family” … for which he won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
“All in the Family” ran for 205 episodes … coming to a close in 1979 — at which point Reiner’s focus shifted more toward directing. His rock mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap” marked his first big hit in the director’s chair.
Over the next decade, Reiner directed iconic films like “Stand By Me,” “The Princess Bride,” and “When Harry Met Sally…” — the last of which led him to the love of his life.
While directing “When Harry Met Sally,” Rob met Michele, a photographer … and, the two married in 1989. Perhaps even bigger than that, their relationship actually convinced Rob to change the ending of the rom-com to have Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan‘s characters end up together.
Rob continued directing during their more than 35 years married … helming projects like “Misery,” “A Few Good Men,” “The American President,” “The Bucket List” and “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.”
Rob has one more directorial project which, according to his IMDb, has been completed … live concert footage of the fictional band Spinal Tap playing at Stonehenge along with other massive names in music. The film is set to come out next year.
Younger fans may recognize Rob from his acting role as Jess’ father Bob on “New Girl” … or his last part in season 4 of “The Bear” as businessman Albert Schnur.
Michele and Rob had three kids together — Jake, Nick and Romy. Rob also has a daughter, Tracy, from his first marriage to director Penny Marshall.
Rob was 78. Michele was 68.
RIP
Rob Reiner
Two People Found Dead at L.A. Home
Published
Two people were found dead at a home in a West L.A. house owned by Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Sunday … TMZ has confirmed.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the home around 3:30 PM PT for medical aid … and, authorities found a man, approximately 78, and a woman, approximately 68.
We’ve confirmed the house does in fact belong to the “Spinal Tap” director … though we do not know the identities of the deceased at this time.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrived about 10 minutes after LAFD and has opened an investigation into the two deaths, we’re told.
Story developing …
Brown University Shooting
Person of Interest Reportedly Had Army Training
Published
The person of interest taken into custody in connection to the Brown University shooting is reportedly a 24-year-old with U.S. Army training.
CNN — citing multiple law enforcement sources — has identified the person of interest as Benjamin Erickson … a man from Wisconsin who served in the army from 2021 to 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile, which has been taken down.
Erickson reportedly passed sniper training, worked in firearms instruction and ultimately left the miltiary after having attained the rank of “specialist.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. Army told the outlet he was never deployed … and his social media indicates he served at Arlington National Cemetery.
Providence Police Department
As you know … a person of interest was taken into custody Sunday morning at a Rhode Island hotel where he was reportedly found with a pair of firearms.
The POI’s detention came after authorities released video of the suspect fleeing the scene … making a sharp turn around a corner and keeping his head down in his all black outfit.
2 people were killed and 8 more were injured after Saturday’s shooting which took place in a building on the school’s campus. The shooting sparked a massive police response and has led to vigils in the Providence area.
Hermès reclaims top spot for bag resale value retention in 2025, according to Rebag report
Rob Reiner, Wife Michele Found Dead in Their L.A. Home with Knife Wounds
2 People Found Dead at Rob Reiner’s Los Angeles Home
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