Sean “Diddy” Combs’s defense attorney is delivering his closing argument in his New York sex trafficking trial today, after which prosecutors will have one last chance to offer a rebuttal.
Attorney Marc Agnifilo described the case as a “trial of lifestyle” and argued that prosecutors have “exaggerated” their claims.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik presented the government’s closing argument over nearly five hours on Thursday, arguing Combs trafficked women by coercing them, transported male escorts for prostitution purposes, and conspired with a “criminal enterprise” to commit crimes. Combs has denied all wrongdoing.
Over the course of seven weeks, the jury has heard shocking testimony from more than 30 witnesses about the rapper’s sex life and alleged history of abusive behavior. Former partners and employees have taken the stand to give evidence.
Meanwhile, a woman has filed a new lawsuit claiming Combs, his son Justin Combs and two masked men raped her in April 2017, Page Six reports.
The woman said Justin 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.
Key Points
- Defense to making closing argument as Sean Combs trial nears end
- Diddy had ‘total control’ of criminal enterprise, prosecutors claim
- How the sex trafficking trial has played out
Defense attorney says team 'owns' domestic violence claims
15:09 , Katie HawkinsonDefense 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 attorney mocks the fact that baby oil was seized from Combs's home
15:00 , Katie HawkinsonDefense 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 Diddy 'takes care' of people
14:58 , Katie HawkinsonDefense 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 calls this case a 'trial of lifestyle'
14:44 , Katie HawkinsonDefense 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.”
Closing arguments begin
14:36 , Katie HawkinsonDefense 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.
Diddy faces new lawsuit: report
14:35 , Katie HawkinsonA 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.
What to expect today
14:15 , Katie HawkinsonDefense 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.
Shocking photos from raid on Diddy’s mansion show weapons, drugs and bondage gear discovered by feds
13:40 , Joe SommerladProsecutors 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
How the sex trafficking trial has played out
13:20 , Joe SommerladJurors 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
Diddy had ‘total control’ of criminal enterprise, prosecutors claim
13:00 , Joe SommerladProsecutor 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
Rally for sexual abuse survivors being held outside the courtroom
12:51 , Joe SommerladAlso 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.”
Defense to making closing argument as Combs trial nears end
12:40 , Joe SommerladThe 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.
Good morning
12:21 , Joe SommerladHello 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.
