SARGANI: Hello Dr. Gaines! We heard you attended the Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial on Day 14 and 15 in lower Manhattan. What made you want to check out the scene?GAINES: Hello Sargani. Thanks for the interview! I was visiting New York during the first week of June 2025, so I decided to check out the scene. I’ve never attended a celebrity trial at a federal courthouse before, so I wanted to experience this historical event.
SARGANI: Can you describe how it was to be outside of the courthouse?
GAINES: Oh, sure! The outside of the courthouse was noisy and busy. There were news reporters, YouTubers, paparazzi, curious neighbors, security guards, and everyone else mixed in on the sidewalk or across the street. Lots of folks were recording videos and taking pictures. I met Aaron Katersky from ABC News, Kara Scanell from CNN, Darla Miles from WABC-TV, a YouTuber named Miss KnockOut, and lots more!
SARGANI: How did the inside of the courthouse look? Did you have to sign-in before you entered the courtroom?
GAINES: No, I didn’t have to sign in, but I did have to go through airport-style security, power off my cell phone, and trade in my cell phone for a gold coin about the size of a half dollar. When I left the courthouse, I traded in my gold coin for my cell phone. The interior of the courthouse was gorgeous! There were marble walls and floors, beautiful sculptures, and I saw unique artwork too.
SARGANI. Inside the courtroom, how would you describe Diddy’s appearance and body language
GAINES: On Day 15, the day I was in the courtroom, Diddy had on bright orange clothes and his hair was really grey. He was just sitting there, but he would lean over and chat with his attorneys every now and then.
SARGANI: What were the highlights of the court on Day 15?
GAINES: The main person testifying on Day 15 was Eddy Garcia, a former security guard who took a $100,000 bribe from Diddy to hide the video of him attacking Cassie Ventura. While inside the courtroom, I saw Brian Buckmire from ABC News, Gene Deal, Diddy’s bodyguard from the 1990’s and 2000’s, and lots of reporters and onlookers taking notes.
SARGANI: Was there anything the public didn’t see or hear in media coverage that you observed inside?
GAINES: Yes! I saw the woman sitting behind me hide a cell phone (an object that appeared to be a cell phone) under her thigh. I just turned around because it was none of my business and I didn’t want to be involved.
SARGANI: After attending the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial, what are your thoughts or predictions about the final verdict?
GAINES: Well, I only went there to be a part of this historical court case. Regardless of the final verdict, everyone involved in this trial needs prayer.
