Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Breaks Down Developments In The P Diddy Trial With Phoenix Fox 10 News

The P Diddy trial is dominating headlines, not only for its star-studded cast of characters and high-profile allegations, but also for the complex legal maneuvers taking place in the courtroom. Phoenix 10 News sat down with criminal defense attorney Josh Kolsrud, who provided critical insight into the drama unfolding around Sean “Puffy” Combs, the prosecution, and the defense.

A Trial with High Stakes

According to Kolsrud, the magnitude of the case goes far beyond the celebrity status of the accused. “You have a music icon, a mogul… worth billions of dollars,” he explained. The ripple effects of a guilty verdict would devastate not just Combs himself, but his family, his corporate empire, and his employees. The eyes of the nation—and arguably the world—are watching, not just for justice, but also to see how power, money, and fame intersect in the American legal system.

The Role of Cassie Ventura

One of the central figures in the prosecution’s case is R&B artist Cassie Ventura. Kolsrud highlighted her significance: although some allegations go as far back as 2004, Ventura’s accusations begin in 2009. She became the "main witness" for the prosecution, after filing a civil lawsuit against Combs in 2023—a lawsuit that was settled within days. However, Kolsrud drew attention to a critical point: “It opened Pandora’s box.” Ventura’s civil complaint seemingly provided a blueprint for federal prosecutors, as the criminal indictment "almost mirrors exactly what the civil complaint is." Without Ventura, this criminal case might not even exist.

The Elevator Video: The “Most Important Piece of Evidence”

Kolsrud explained that the most pivotal evidence is a widely circulated surveillance video from 2016, showing an altercation between Combs and Ventura at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles. He recounted: “In the video you can see… Combs throwing a vase at Cassie… grabs her by the hair, stomps on her, hits her, drags her back into the hotel room. It’s very brutal.”

Despite attempts by the defense to have the video excluded, the judge ruled it admissible—not the CNN version, but a cell-phone recording of the original surveillance tape. The prosecution aims to use the video as representative of a “pattern of behavior,” whereas the defense seeks to portray it as a single, isolated incident. This distinction feeds into the larger allegations, including charges of sex trafficking—which the prosecution anchors on accusations of coercive and abusive conduct.

Jury Selection and Allegations of Racial Bias

Kolsrud also shared his thoughts on the speed and complexities of jury selection. Despite concerns surrounding unbiased jurors in a massive media market like New York, the process moved swiftly. He gave a candid assessment of the defense’s legal strategy: Combs' defense wants a rapid trial to halt a “snowball effect”—the fear that, like in the Weinstein case, more alleged victims could come forward with time.

But the process has not been without controversy. "Race underscores everything that has to do with the criminal justice system," Kolsrud quoted, referencing the legendary Johnnie Cochran. He detailed ongoing arguments over prosecutorial jury “strikes," which the defense claims disproportionately targeted Black jurors (seven out of nine strikes). The prosecution team, made up of six white female attorneys, has been accused—by the defense—of holding biases against a successful Black man. These allegations, if proven, could carry significant repercussions for public trust in the process

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The Prosecution’s Strategy

In a further notable development, the prosecution intends to call Dr. Don Hughes, a psychologist notable for high-profile testimony in the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial, to help contextualize alleged domestic violence and trauma.

What's Next

As the P Diddy trial continues, keep an eye on not just the courtroom theatrics but also the essential questions about power, race, victimhood, and the reach of the law in celebrity culture. With attorneys like Josh Kolsrud offering rigorous analysis, the public is better equipped to understand the legal and societal implications of one of the year’s most talked-about trials.

Stay tuned for more commentary from Josh Kolsrud as the case unfolds.