The high-profile federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is drawing to a dramatic close, with both prosecution and defense expected to rest their cases by Tuesday. The proceedings, held in Manhattan, have captivated the public over the past seven weeks, as explosive allegations and graphic testimony emerged against the music mogul, who faces life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors have accused the 55-year-old Combs of leading a criminal enterprise involving top employees who allegedly carried out acts of bribery, arson, and kidnapping to maintain his power and satisfy personal desires. The centerpiece of the prosecution’s case has been a disturbing narrative of sex trafficking, involving what they claim were drug-fueled, multi-day sexual events known as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”
Throughout the trial, jurors were presented with video footage, text messages, and testimony from 34 prosecution witnesses. Among them was singer Casandra Ventura, Combs’s former long-term girlfriend, who settled a civil case against him in 2023. Ventura gave harrowing testimony and was featured in widely circulated surveillance footage showing Combs physically assaulting her in a hotel hallway.
Another key moment came when a hotel security guard testified that he was paid $100,000 in cash by Combs to hand over the footage of the incident, which later surfaced publicly via CNN.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Combs’s legal team has opted not to call any defense witnesses. While unusual, this strategy is not unprecedented in criminal cases. Defense lawyers appear confident that their cross-examinations and legal arguments may have raised sufficient doubt in the minds of the jurors. They will, however, submit some exhibits before resting.
Closing arguments are tentatively scheduled for Thursday. Once completed, the jury will begin deliberations. The jurors are not sequestered but are under strict instructions to avoid media coverage an increasingly difficult task given the widespread attention the trial has garnered across traditional and social platforms.
Combs has denied all charges and maintains his innocence. The final verdict now rests in the hands of the jury.
