Diddy trial recap: Closing arguments end as jury deliberations are set to begin next week

Key Points

• Recap: Closing arguments end
• Prosecutor says Combs is 'not a god' in final rebuttal
• Defense calls Cassie Ventura a 'gangster'
• Defense says they 'own' domestic violence claims

Good morning

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York City.

The hip-hop mogul faces five federal counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Defense to making closing argument as Combs trial nears end

The defense in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial will deliver its closing argument on Friday, after which prosecutors will have one last chance to offer a rebuttal.

Attorney Marc Agnifilo is expected to make the case on the rapper’s behalf and is likely to take around three hours to do so.

The rebuttal will likely to take around one hour.

Diddy himself ultimately chose not to testify and his lawyers did not call any witnesses.

Legal experts told The Independent that the defendant had “everything to lose and nothing to gain” by testifying.

Rally for sexual abuse survivors being held outside the courtroom

Also today, a demonstration will be held outside the courthouse in Manhattan at 12pm ET in support of survivors of sexual abuse, organized by the campaign group UltraViolet.

Elisa Batista, who is organizing the event, told The Independent: “We are here for the brave men and women who testified in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial, sharing harrowing stories of systemic and violent abuse, as well as those who weren’t able to.

“No matter the verdict in this trial, survivors still have power. And when we stand together, accountability is achievable.”

Diddy had ‘total control’ of criminal enterprise, prosecutors claim

Prosecutor Christy Slavik delivered her closing arguments over nearly five hours on Thursday.

Slavik has used her time to argue that Combs used “power, violence and fear to get what he wanted” while acting as the “leader of a criminal enterprise” who “doesn’t take no for an answer.”

Slavik argued Combs trafficked his ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and Jane by forcing them to have sex with male escorts using threats, manipulation and violence.

She also pointed to Combs’s alleged drug use, noting they played an “essential” role in “freak offs.”

Slavik also emphasized evidence suggesting Combs paid male escorts to travel to engage in “freak offs,” further bolstering the charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Slavik ended with a final plea to the jury: “It is time to hold him accountable, it is time for justice. And it’s time to find him guilty."

Here’s a full report from Kelly Rissman.

Diddy had ‘total control’ of criminal enterprise, prosecutors say in closing argument

How the sex trafficking trial has played out

Jurors at Combs’s trial were barely seated on its first day when they were shown a video of the hip-hop mogul viciously attacking his longtime girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie.

Over the next seven weeks, jurors heard from 34 witnesses. All were called to the stand by prosecutors, but each was questioned by defense lawyers as they tried to challenge the portrayal of Combs as an out-of-control, violent boss who drove his employees and associates to fear him as he demanded their help in carrying out vendettas, getting drugs and fulfilling his sexual fantasies.

After cross-examinations that often lasted longer than the questions posed by prosecutors, defense lawyers spent only a half hour more presenting evidence once prosecutors finished their side of the case. A relaxed and seemingly satisfied Combs himself confirmed he would not testify.

Here’s a look back at how we got here.

Cassie, Jane, Cudi and freak-offs: How Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial has played out

Shocking photos from raid on Diddy’s mansion show weapons, drugs and bondage gear discovered by feds

Prosecutors have released batches of photos presenting the troves of baby oil, drugs, firearms, and pieces of lingerie they retrieved from Diddy’s mansions in Los Angeles, Miami and New York during a sequence of raids, giving the public an insight into what jurors will use to make their decision for the first time.

Here’s more from Ariana Baio.

Photos from Diddy’s mansion raids show weapons, drugs and bondage gear

What to expect today

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is set to deliver his closing remarks this morning, which he estimated will take three hours.

Afterward, prosecutor Maurene Comey will have the chance to offer a rebuttal.

When both have finished, Judge Arun Subramanian will give the jury instructions.

Diddy faces new lawsuit: report

A woman has filed a lawsuit claiming Sean “Diddy” Combs, his son Justin Combs and two masked men raped her in April 2017, Page Six reports.

The woman said she first met Justin via Snapchat in 2017, and he invited her to his California home. There, the woman says she took drugs and was escorted to the bedroom, where she was told, “You better let this happen, or else.”

The woman says the group of men then raped her.

Combs’s attorney denied the allegations in a statement to Page Six.

“No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor,” the attorney said.

Closing arguments begin

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has launched his closing arguments in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking case.

This is the defense’s last opportunity to convince the jury to acquit Combs.

Defense calls this case a 'trial of lifestyle'

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo called this case a “trial of lifestyle” as he began his closing arguments.

"It is a trial of a lifestyle, if you want to call it swingers, that's what it is, that’s what the evidence shows," he said. "The prosecutors have charged one of the most serious, complicated and comprehensive statutes on the books."

He also said it is a “trial as told by the mouths of the prosecutors.”

“That, I submit to you, is the false trial,” Agnifilo said. “That is the exaggerated trial. That is not the real trial.”

Defense attorney says Diddy 'takes care' of people

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo told the jury his client Sean “Diddy” Combs “takes care of people.”

Agnifilo used Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-girlfriend Jane, who testified earlier under a pseudonym, as an example.

“I hope she’s having a nice day, but do you know where she’s doing it? In a house he’s paying for,” Agnifilo told the jury.

Jane previously testified that Combs is still paying her rent and legal fees. They dated from 2021 to 2024.

Defense attorney mocks the fact that baby oil was seized from Combs's home

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo mocked the fact that officials found baby oil and lube in their search of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s home last year.

“Boxes of Astroglide, taken off the streets, I feel better already,” Agnifilo said. “Artificial lubricant, not for me.”

"They found the Astroglide, they found the baby oil, they found like five valium pills. Way to go fellas, you guys just do you," Agnifilo added. "They took Astroglide and baby oil and that is the evidence in this case, there is nothing about the businesses to make it a criminal case."

Defense attorney says team 'owns' domestic violence claims

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said his team isn’t fighting the allegations that Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Jane.

"We own the domestic violence, I hope you guys know that," Agnifilo said.

“He did not do the things he is charged with, racketeering or sex trafficking,” he added.

Defense says Combs and Ventura had 'great modern love story'

Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura had a “great modern love story,” defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued.

He added that they are “truly in love.”

Ventura testified that Combs assaulted her and threatened to release explicit footage of her throughout their 11-year relationship.

Ventura’s mother also testified that Combs once demanded $20,000 from her family or else he’d release her daughter’s sex tapes.

Defense calls Cassie Ventura a 'gangster'

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo called Cassie Ventura a “gangster,” arguing she “played” Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Agnifilo pointed to her testimony that she dated Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi while with Combs and used a burner phone to contact him.

“She lied to him for a long time, over and over and over, as she had another relationship with another singer-songwriter under his nose,” Agnifilo said of Ventura. “She’s not afraid of him.”

Defense says Combs had nothing to do with bombing of Kid Cudi's car

Sean “Diddy” Combs had nothing to do with the 2012 bombing of Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi’s Porsche, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said.

Prosecutors argued yesterday that Combs was “100 percent” involved in the bombing.

Mescudi’s car was scorched with a Molotov cocktail just weeks after Combs discovered he was dating Cassie Ventura. Mescudi testified earlier in the trial that he believed Combs was involved in the bombing.

Marc Agnifilo animated as he presents closing argument

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has been animated during his closing argument, often raising his voice and sounding exasperated.

He pointed out that Sean “Diddy” Combs’s mother and six of his seven kids are here — the seventh is an infant.

Agnifilo also got a big laugh when he sarcastically praised federal agents for seizing baby oil and lube from Combs’s home last year.

“Thank goodness for the special response team,” Agnifilo said. “They found the Astroglide and the baby oil and maybe five Valium pills!”

“The word ‘love’ has been spoken 881 times” at this trial, Agnifilo said, trying to undercut the sex trafficking charges.

He also thanked the jurors and said he would show how thankful he is by being efficient today and not showing charts — he’s not hiding that he’s buttering them up.

Prosecutors say defense is making improper arguments

Prosecutors say defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has made improper arguments this morning, citing his sarcastic remarks about the case, NBC News reports.

Agnifilo responded: "I think I’m allowed to be sarcastic."

Defense reprimanded for speculating on prosecutor's charging decisions

Judge Arun Subramanian reprimanded defense attorney Marc Agnifilo for speculating why prosecutors chose to charge Sean “Diddy” Combs with certain crimes and not others.

"Mr. Agnifilo, for you, please don't do that again," Subramanian said. "It's grossly improper."

Subramanian also instructed the jury not to consider the questions Agnifilo posed.

“It would be improper for you to consider such matters in your deliberations and you should disregard those comments,” he said.

Prosecutor Maurene Comey argued Agnifilo improperly suggested the government had charged Combs with arson and kidnapping, when those were instead predicates of the racketeering charge, CNN reports.

Defense attacks 'Mia' and dismisses her claims of sexual assault

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is now trying to poke holes in Mia’s prior testimony.

Mia is Sean “Diddy” Combs’s former assistant. She testified under a pseudonym.

Mia testified that Combs sexually assaulted her. But Agnifilo claims it “was not unwanted sexual contact.”

“This is where love and money come together. Mia loved working with Sean Combs, she loved the work she did, forced labor is when you want to be out of there as soon as possible,” he said.

Agnifilo said Mia and Combs shared “platonic love and admiration.”

“Instagram postings, wonderful pictures and slogans, and prosecutors said that was part of her job, that is how she really felt," he said.

Defense dismisses drug distribution and sex trafficking allegations

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo dismissed prosecutors’ claims that Sean “Diddy” Combs distributed drugs.

“There’s no indication that he’s selling it to Cassie or Jane, or somehow moving the drugs or distributing the drugs,” he said.

However, Agnifilo admitted there’s “no doubt” that Combs used drugs and “has a drug problem.”

Agnifilo also attacked prosecutors’ claims that Combs trafficked his ex-girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and Jane.

“There is no suggestion that he is making money from this. This is their personal life, they are swingers, this is their lifestyle,” Agnifilo said.

Defense references Cassie Ventura's relationship with Michael B. Jordan

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo suggested Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura had “confidence” because she dated Michael B. Jordan.

"When she wasn't with Sean Combs, she was with Michael B. Jordan, the most handsome man in the world. She was not going to slow down," Agnifilo said.

Agnifilo made the remark as he argued that Ventura “wanted to do” freak offs with Combs.

"She is at a high level,” Agnifilo said. “She has sexual confidence...She is not clutching her pearls, this was her lifestyle."

Defense tries to pick apart hotel assault footage

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is now trying to pick apart the footage that shows Sean “Diddy” Combs beating his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura inside an InterContinental Hotel in 2016.

Agnifilo argued that Combs followed Ventura into the hallway where the assault happened because he was trying to get his phone back from her.

He also suggested that Combs may have taken drugs shortly before the assault.

A security employee at the hotel previously testified that Combs bribed him and his boss to hand over the footage.

Read more about the bombshell footage — which was publicly aired last year — from The Independent’s Mike Bedigan:

Diddy seen in shocking video punching and kicking girlfriend Cassie in hotel hallway

Court on lunch break

Judge Arun Subramanian has dismissed the jury for a lunch break.

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo will continue his closing argument when the jury returns.

Court resumes

Judge Arun Subramanian is back on the bench after a brief lunch break.

Subramanian said he’ll give the jury their instructions on Monday, rather than later today following the defense’s closing argument and the prosecution’s rebuttal.

Defense attorney says Diddy was making 'homemade porn' when he filmed 'freak offs'

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said Sean “Diddy” Combs was making “homemade porn” when he videotaped his freak offs with Cassie Ventura and Jane.

"He’s not the only man in America making homemade porn," Agnifilo said.

Ventura and Jane both testified that Combs threatened to release explicit videos of them participating in “freak offs.” Ventura’s mother also testified that Combs demanded $20,000 from the family, or else he’d release her daughter’s sex tapes.

Defense attacks prosecutors' sex trafficking charges

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is now attacking prosecutors’ claims that Sean “Diddy” Combs trafficked his ex-girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and Jane, by coercing them into having “hotel nights.”

“The government said they’re not saying every single ‘hotel night’ was sex trafficking,” Agnifilo said. “Which ones were, and how is Sean Combs supposed to know the difference?”

Defense attacks transportation for prostitution charges

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is now arguing against the transportation for prostitution charges.

The prosecution has argued Sean “Diddy” Combs paid male escorts to travel to have “freak offs.” Cassie Ventura and Jane both testified they participated in “freak offs,” which involved them having sex with male escorts at Combs’s direction.

Agnifilo argues Combs wasn’t paying the male escorts to have sex with his then-girlfriends. Rather, Agnifilo claims Combs was just paying them for their time.

Defense attorney questions Jane's testimony about 2024 assault

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is casting doubt on Jane’s claim that Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulted her in June 2024.

Agnifilo admitted there was “physical contact,” but suggested Jane might’ve been trying to create a narrative because she knew at the time that Combs was the target of a federal investigation.

Combs was arrested three months later.

Defense ends closing argument

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has ended his closing argument.

Agnifilo asked the jurors to consider whether they can “trust” prosecutors and argued the government has “targeted” Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“He’s innocent. He sits here innocent,” Agnifilo said. “Return him to his family, who have been waiting for him.”

Judge reminds jury to only consider Combs's involvement

Judge Arun Subramanian reminded the jurors to only consider Sean “Diddy” Combs in their deliberations.

This comes after defense attorney Marc Agnifilo questioned why Combs was the only one charged in the case during his closing arguments.

Prosecutor begins rebuttal

Prosecutor Maurene Comey has begun her rebuttal to the defense’s closing argument.

She’s expected to take one hour.

Prosecutor says Combs knew he was breaking the law by paying escorts

Prosecutor Maurene Comey argued that Sean “Diddy” Combs knew he was breaking the law when he paid male escorts to travel for “freak outs.”

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo previously argued Combs wasn’t paying the escorts for sex, but rather for their time.

Comey said it’s clear Combs didn’t fly the escorts out “for scintillating conversation.”

“The money is for sex, the sexual performance, not for time,” she added. “That’s prostitution.”

Prosecutors double down on claim Combs bombed Kid Cudi's car

Prosecutor Maurene Comey is again arguing that Sean “Diddy” Combs was responsible for the bombing of Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi’s Porsche in 2012.

“He said he was going to blow up the car. Lo and behold, it blew up,” Comey said.

The defense argues Combs wasn’t involved.

Prosecutor says Combs couldn't have operated without his 'inner circle'

Prosecutor Maurene Comey argued Sean “Diddy” Combs couldn’t have operated without his “inner circle.”

“This is a guy who can’t get himself his own water bottle or plug in his phone charger,” Comey said.

“He delegated, his inner circle handled the dirty work for him,” she added

Diddy's son releases new song with Kanye West

Sean “Diddy” Combs’s son, Christian Combs, and Kanye West have released a new EP together with a track called “Diddy Free,” according to Variety.

This comes after West made an appearance at the New York trial in support of Combs.

The chorus includes the lines “Ain’t goin’ sleep ‘till we see Diddy free” and “f*** the world, critics and the witness.”

Prosecutor emphasizes jury must convict if even one 'freak off' is considered trafficking

Prosecutor Maurene Comey emphasized that the jurors only need to find that one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s “freak offs” involved sex trafficking to convict him on the charge.

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued against the sex trafficking charges earlier today.

“The government said they’re not saying every single ‘hotel night’ was sex trafficking,” Agnifilo said. “Which ones were, and how is Sean Combs supposed to know the difference?”

Diddy used money to trap girlfriends, prosecutor argues

Prosecutor Maurene Comey argued Sean “Diddy” Combs used money to trap his ex-girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and Jane.

“Those supposed benefits, the homes, the money, kept them trapped,” she said. “The defendant did that on purpose.”

Agnifilo highlighted that Combs is still paying Jane’s legal fees and rent during his closing argument.

“I hope she’s having a nice day, but do you know where she’s doing it? In a house he’s paying for,” he said.

Prosecutor ends rebuttal

Prosecutor Maurene Comey has ended her rebuttal, marking the final argument in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s trial.

“For 20 years, the defendant got away with his crimes. That ends in this courtroom,” Comey said. “The defendant is not God, he is a person. In this courtroom, he stands equal before the law.”

“It is time to hold him accountable,” she added. “Find him guilty.”

Jury dismissed

Judge Arun Subramanian has dismissed the jury for the weekend.

Subramanian will give the jury their instructions on Monday morning, after which deliberations will begin.

Recap: Closing arguments end

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo gave his closing argument today, urging the jury to acquit Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Agnifilo described the case as a “trial of lifestyle,” arguing that prosecutors have “exaggerated” their claims against Combs. Agnifilo argued that prosecutors “targeted” Combs and asked the jurors to consider whether they can “trust” them.

“He’s innocent. He sits here innocent,” Agnifilo said. “Return him to his family, who have been waiting for him.”

Prosecutor Maurene Comey gave the government’s rebuttal, arguing that Agnifilo was “not making sense.”

She argued that Combs believes he is untouchable and that he must face the consequences of his actions.

“The defendant is not a god,” Comey said. “He is a person.”

Judge Arun Subramanian is set to give the jury their instructions on Monday, after which deliberations will begin.