Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Trial Nears End as Both Sides Wrap Their Cases
The courtroom drama surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs is nearing its conclusion. On Tuesday, both legal teams closed their cases, marking the end of weeks of gripping testimony in a Manhattan federal court.
Prosecutors concluded their presentation after questioning their 34th witness. The defense followed with a short presentation, choosing not to call any witnesses — not even Combs himself. It’s a common move, as defendants aren’t required to take the stand and often don’t, to avoid the risk of self-incrimination.
When asked directly by Judge Arun Subramanian if he was choosing not to testify, Combs confirmed calmly, “That is my decision, your honor… I’m making this freely.”
The defense’s presentation, made up mostly of submitted evidence, lasted under 30 minutes. Their decision not to call witnesses wasn’t unexpected; the burden of proof remains with the prosecution, and unless the jury is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant is presumed innocent.
Closing arguments are set to begin Thursday, with jurors then expected to decide Combs’ fate. If convicted, the 55-year-old music mogul faces life in prison. The charges include sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution.
On the same day, Combs’ legal team filed a motion for acquittal, arguing the prosecution has not proven its case. Though such motions are typical in high-profile trials, they are rarely successful.
Allegations and Accusations
Since May, prosecutors have tried to weave together a narrative of abuse, power, and control. They’ve presented testimony, phone records, and travel documents in an attempt to show that Combs was behind a disturbing network of criminal activity — including alleged bribery, arson, and kidnapping — used to intimidate and exploit.
A major focus has been on what were described in court as “freak-offs,” drug-fueled group encounters allegedly arranged by Combs. Some lasted for days. The court was shown multiple explicit videos, and piles of text messages and records were entered into evidence to support the claims of trafficking and prostitution.
The final witness, an expert who walked jurors through data and documentation, wrapped up testimony with a rapid series of questions from lead prosecutor Maurene Comey, designed to highlight key elements of the transportation-related charges.
Throughout the proceedings, Combs has maintained his innocence. His attorneys insist that the relationships and encounters being described were all consensual.
But the courtroom has heard a very different story from three women who took the stand, describing, in harrowing detail, the abuse they say they endured — physically, emotionally, and sexually.
One of the most high-profile voices in the case is singer Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former longtime partner. Though she settled a civil suit against him last year, her allegations helped spark a wave of legal action. She also testified during the trial, with jurors shown shocking surveillance footage of Combs attacking her in a hotel hallway.
A hotel security guard later testified that he was paid $100,000 in cash — delivered in a brown paper bag — to hand over the tape. The video eventually made headlines after it was leaked by CNN.
Jurors have been instructed daily to avoid media coverage of the case — a near-impossible ask, as the trial continues to dominate headlines and social feeds.
The coming days will determine whether Combs walks free or faces the full weight of the law. Either way, the music mogul’s legacy now stands at a crossroads.
