The fate of Sean “Diddy” Combs will be at the hands of a New York City jury of eight men and four women after the prosecuting and defense teams presented their closing arguments on Thursday and Friday.
The jury will receive instructions from US District Judge Arun Subramanian, and they will commence deliberations on Monday, June 30th, prior to rendering a verdict. A verdict is expected to come during the week of July 7th if a decision isn’t made before the 4th of July holiday, according to CNN.
Brief Overview of the Trial
Combs was arrested on September 16, 2024, and has been behind bars ever since in a Brooklyn, New York Metropolitan Detention Center, after his bond was denied four times.
Combs is facing five counts of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The trial, which began on May 13, 2025, has featured testimony from over 30 witnesses, including Combs’s ex-girlfriends, former assistants, male escorts, security guards, and even a rival rapper, according to NBC News.
Cassie (Ventura) Fine, who took the stand during the trial, detailed the unwanted freakouts lasting 3–4 days. In her testimony, she described Diddy as controlling and the freak-offs as disgusting, including the dictatorship by him on the nail painting, which had to be all white or just with French tips for the sessions, the pouring of excessive oil over her, and her getting urinated in the mouth by a male escort, which made her feel humiliated. The Bad Boy mogul did not take the stand during the trial.
Prosecutor’s Team Argument
On Thursday, June 26th, the prosecution presented its closing argument, with U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik spending more than 4 hours summarizing weeks of extensive testimony from Combs’s former girlfriends, former employees, and others.
Slavik accused Combs of using his influence and power to promote drug-driven sex sessions, citing instances where he used violence, financial control, manipulation, and threats of blackmail whenever victims refused to participate with other men in the ‘freak off’ session.
Slavik broke down the racketeering conspiracy charge and detailed that the victims who testified against him were forced and coerced by Combs to participate in the freak-offs while he would direct, film, and masturbate during these encounters. The prosecutor also recounted graphic and physical abuse testimonies from Fine and another woman known to the court as Jane.
Illustrations from Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial, featuring a pregnant Cassie (Ventura) Fine on the witness stand and various pieces of evidence shown in court; Photo Credit: Reuters
“The defendant thought he was above the law for the past 20 years,” assistant prosecutor Maurene Comey told jurors while pointing out the evidence of the RICO charges. “He got away with crime after crime without consequences.”
Defense’s Closing Argument
In Friday’s closing argument, Diddy’s defense team, led by Attorney Marc Agnifilo, argued against the prosecution’s claim of the rap mogul operating a criminal enterprise in sex trafficking and drugging victims, stating that he’s only living a ‘swingers’ lifestyle and has a personal drug problem.
“You should feel bold. You should feel the courage that you will need to call this as you see it, and I am asking you to summon that courage and to do what needs to be done,” Agnifilo stated.
Agnifilo emphasized that Combs is not a racketeer and ran a legitimate business while pleading his innocence while requesting that the 55-year-old return to his family.
Agnifilo also argued that Combs was targeted by the government after Fine’s November 2023 lawsuit when they tried to take them down without having the evidence. Agnifilo even criticized Fine, calling her a gangster for playing both Diddy and Kid Cudi.
Followed by his ex-girlfriend & former protégé’s lawsuit, a raid by the FBI was done at his Miami and LA homes, and CNN released a 2016 video of him physically assaulting Ventura at an LA hotel.
If found guilty, he could face a minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
Readers can visit CourtTV on YouTube to watch the recap of Combs’ trial.
