The cases presented by both prosecutors and defense attorneys have concluded in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, wrapping up over six weeks of testimonies against the prominent hip-hop figure.
Throughout this high-profile trial, more than 30 witnesses have given testimony, including the rapper’s former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, along with past employees from his label, Bad Boy Entertainment, male escorts, law enforcement officials, and hotel staff.
However, one notable absence will be Combs himself.
In front of Judge Arun Subramanian, the rapper confirmed that he had “thoroughly” discussed the option of testifying with his team and opted against giving evidence. He took a moment to thank the judge and commended him for doing an “excellent job”.
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Cassie Ventura was heavily pregnant when she testified at the start of the trial. Pic: Jane Rosenberg/ Reuters
Following the prosecution’s case, the defense requested that the 55-year-old be acquitted—a standard procedure—arguing that the government had not presented sufficient evidence for any of the charges brought against him.
The defense then briefly introduced their own case, adding more text messages as evidence to demonstrate that Combs and his girlfriends were engaged in consensual, loving relationships while refraining from calling any witnesses. This segment lasted under an hour.
While they acknowledged Combs’ past violent behavior, which he admits to not being proud of, they contended that such actions do not classify him as a sex trafficker.
Since his arrest in New York last September, Combs has been held without bail.
Throughout the trial, the defense has showcased their argument for acquittal by cross-examining prosecution witnesses, many of whom offered reluctant testimonies or were granted immunity to speak in court.
Prosecutors allege that Combs coerced Cassie and another former girlfriend, known in court as Jane, into participating in “freak off” sex sessions involving male escorts, exploiting his business empire to facilitate this along with drug usage and to conceal inappropriate behavior.
Jurors have viewed several explicit video clips. Pic: Jane Rosenberg/ Reuters
During the trial’s first week, Cassie, aged 38, spent four days on the stand. While heavily pregnant, she recounted feeling compelled to participate in numerous “freak offs” with male sex workers, with Combs observing.
She told the court that such events became so common during their relationship—spanning from 2007 to 2018—that they felt like a job, leaving her little time for her own career.
Just two weeks after her testimony, she gave birth, as confirmed by her friend and former stylist during his own court testimony.
Jane provided testimony for six days about similar sexual encounters, referred to by Combs as “hotel nights,” “wild king nights,” or “debauchery.” She also expressed feeling pressured to engage in these activities because of her affection for the music star and her desire to please him.
Jane’s relationship with Combs lasted on and off from early 2021 until his arrest in 2024.
Jurors were shown numerous recordings of these sexual encounters, totaling over 40 minutes. The footage was displayed on monitors as jurors utilized headphones to ensure privacy from the media and public in attendance.
In her opening statement, defense attorney Teny Geragos labeled the videos as “powerful evidence showcasing that the sexual conduct was consensual and not a result of coercion”.
Read more:
More about the trial
The rise and fall of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Key takeaways from Cassie’s testimony
The trial also featured testimony from Mia, another alleged victim whose identity was concealed. Mia, a former employee of Combs, alleged that he sexually assaulted her multiple times during her tenure with him.
She revealed that she had kept the alleged abuse to herself until the investigation into Combs began, noting feelings of shame: “I was going to die with this,” she said tearfully while on the witness stand. “I never wanted anyone to know.”
The proceedings have experienced several twists, including the dismissal of one juror who had provided conflicting information about his residence. The judge expressed “serious concerns,” suggesting his lack of honesty could indicate improper motives for being on the jury.
At a certain point, Combs received a warning from the judge for enthusiastically nodding towards jurors during a cross-examination section led by his lawyers, with the judge cautioning that he could be excluded from the trial if it occurred again.
The court will not be in session on Wednesday. Proceedings will continue on Thursday, with closing arguments anticipated from both legal teams.