Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' attorneys plead with jurors in closing arguments
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
As closing arguments in Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal trial wind down, attorneys for the embattled hip-hop mogul will offer their final defense before jury deliberations.
Combs and his legal team were back in Manhattan court on June 27 to plead his case to jurors in the sweeping federal sex-crimes probe. This comes after prosecutors kicked off closing arguments on June 26, which lasted about six hours.
Assistant U.S. attorney Christy Slavik thanked jurors for their time after hearing how Combs allegedly ran his criminal enterprise with "total control and used his loyal staff" to go about it. The U.S. attorney also revisited testimony from Comb's former girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine, and laid the groundwork for deliberations on Combs' racketeering charge.
"All of this evidence paints a clear picture of how the defendant committed crimes," Slavik told the courtroom. "Up until today, he was able to get away with it because of his money, his power (and) his influence." She added: "It's time for justice. It's time to find the defendant guilty."
Prosecutors called forward more than 30 witnesses over the course of nearly seven weeks of testimony. Several individuals in Combs' personal and professional orbit — from ex-girlfriends Ventura Fine and the woman using the pseudonym "Jane" to Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard and rap peer Kid Cudi — took the stand.
Combs, 55, was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges.
Is Diddy in jail?
The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and despite repeated attempts at bail, has remained confined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024.
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What is Diddy charged with?
Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry.
He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him.
What is a RICO? Racketeering meaning
Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity.
Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video.
How to stream the Diddy trial
The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings.
USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates.
Contributing: USA TODAY staff
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
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Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Defense delivers closing arguments in sex trafficking case
The defense is delivering its closing argument in the sex trafficking trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs on Friday, a day after federal prosecutors portrayed him as the 'leader of a criminal enterprise' who abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called 'freak offs,' and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. 'Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes because of his money, his power, his influence. That stops now,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told jurors at the end of a nearly five-hour presentation. 'It's time to hold him accountable. It's time for justice. And it's time to find him guilty.' The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Follow the live blog below for the latest updates culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including the New York Times, CNN, NBC News, and the Washington Post. During the break when jurors were out of the room, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey told Judge Arun Subramanian that the prosecution thought the defense's arguments were too sarcastic about the government's charges against Combs. "Respectfully, I think I'm allowed to be sarcastic," defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said. In response to the prosecution's complaint, Judge Subramanian told Agnifilo not to question or speculate why the government was pursuing its charges against Combs, calling the situation "grossly improper." When jurors returned to the courtroom, the judge reminded the group, "I will be instructing you on the law in this case." Judge Arun Subramanian is back on the bench after the court took a break. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo spoke for around 94 minutes before the break. The defense said its closing argument should be around three hours long. Judge Arun Subramanian has called for a 15-minute midmorning break. The defense will continue with its closing argument when court resumes. After mentioning Capricorn Clark's testimony claims that she was kidnapped by Combs and taken to rapper Kid Cudi's house at gunpoint in December 2011, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo addressed the prosecution's allegations that Combs was behind Kid Cudi's Porsche catching on fire in early 2012. Kid Cudi testified that his Porsche was set on fire with a Molotov cocktail after Combs learned that he and Cassie Ventura were dating. Prosecutor Christy Slavik reminded the jury of Kid Cudi's testimony about the Porsche yesterday and said, "Of course, the defendant was behind this." Agnifilo argued that the small DNA profile that was found on the Molotov cocktail bottle was "consistent with a female." 'There is no evidence that he had anything to do with the Porsche,' he said. Marc Agnifilo, Combs's lead defense lawyer, started to comb through some of the prosecution's key witnesses and their testimonies, reminding the jury members that they are allowed to question or disregard testimonies if they don't trust them. Agnifilo brought up Capricorn Clark, whom the prosecution argued had been a victim of being kidnapped by Combs twice while working as his personal assistant. The first alleged experience was in 2004, after Clark had started working for Combs. Clark testified she had to undergo five days of lie detector tests to prove she hadn't stolen jewelry and was repeatedly told by the test administrator that if she was caught lying, "they're going to throw you in the East River." But Agnifilo emphasized that Clark testified she went home after the lie detector tests every day. "It's not a kidnapping," he said, before pointing out that the jurors had spent hours watching the trial for the last seven weeks. "Anyone feel kidnapped?" The second alleged incident was in 2011. Clark testified that Combs came to her home with a gun and brought her to Kid Cudi's house, but Agnifilo emphasized that Kid Cudi testified Clark did not mention any guns when she called him and Cassie Ventura that day. 'Had Capricorn said 'gun,' Cudi would've remembered 'gun.' You're not gonna forget 'gun,'' Agnifilo argued. He also reiterated his earlier point that Clark, like most of Combs's employees, loved working for him and would willingly do anything for him. 'If he asked her to take a trip to the moon, she'd go, and he knows that. He doesn't need a gun." Moments after conceding his client was "guilty" of assaulting Cassie Ventura, Combs's lawyer Marc Agnifilo called Ventura a "gangster" for using a burner phone to contact Kid Cudi while she was seeing both men. 'Cassie's keeping it gangster!' Agnifilo said. "She played them both.' During her relationship with Kid Cudi, Ventura repeatedly lied to Combs, Agnifilo said, arguing that it showed she was "not afraid of him." Marc Agnifilo, Combs's defense attorney, used part of his closing argument to mock the raids on Combs's homes. In its indictment, the prosecut said that federal agents recovered guns, drugs and 'more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.' 'Boxes of Astroglide, taken off the streets, whoo! I feel better already,' Agnifilo said. 'Thank goodness for the special response team," he added. "They found the Astroglide, they found the baby oil, they found like five valium pills. Way to go, fellas.' Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued to the jury that Cassie Ventura is not part of a "one-sided, oppressive" relationship with Combs, as the prosecution argued, but ultimately the financial "winner" of the breakup. "She is sitting somewhere in the world with $30 million," Agnifilo said. Ventura won a $20 million civil settlement from Combs after filing a lawsuit against him in November 2023, and is expecting a $10 million settlement from the owner of the InterContinental hotel where she was assaulted by Combs in 2016. Agnifilo called Combs and Ventura's relationship 'a great modern love story,' and said that this case isn't about crime. "We're here because of money," he said. In his closing argument, Marc Agnifilo acknowledged that Combs is "guilty" of domestic violence, but that's not what he's been charged with. Multiple women, including Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, testified that he beat them repeatedly. And a key piece of evidence for prosecutors was a surveillance video that showed Combs assaulting Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. "We own the domestic violence — I hope you guys know that," Agnifilo said. 'It happened. That's not charged. 'He did not do the things he's charged with,' Agnifilo said. 'He didn't commit racketeering — he just didn't.' The lawyer added: 'He did what he did. But he's going to fight to the death to defend himself from what he didn't do.' Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued that Combs's employees were loyal to him because 'Sean Combs has become something that is very, very hard to be. Very hard to be. He is a self-made, successful, Black entrepreneur.' Even though multiple former employees have testified in the trial, Agnifilo argued Combs had been integrating DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — into his businesses since he was 24 years old. 'Did they always like him? No way. Let's not even go there,' Agnifilo said about the former employees. 'But they loved him. They didn't want to leave him.' Marc Agnifilo, Combs's lead attorney, began his closing argument by telling jurors that the case presented by federal prosecutors was "false" and "exaggerated." Agnifilo said the evidence does not show criminal behavior but rather 'a lifestyle — you want to call it swingers.' 'Whatever you want to call it, that's what it is," Agnifilo said. "That's what the evidence shows." Judge Arun Subramanian is on the bench, members of the jury have been seated, and Combs's lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, is delivering the closing argument for the defense. Combs's sister, Keisha Combs, is sitting with their mom, Janice Combs, in the family section of the courtroom. Combs's three teenage daughters, Chance and twins D'Lila and Jessie, are also in the spectators' gallery. The defense will deliver its closing argument to the jury at 9 a.m. ET. Combs's lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said he expects his presentation to take about three hours. The prosecution — which took nearly five hours to deliver its closing argument — will have a chance to give a rebuttal. Judge Arun Subramanian will then give the jury its instructions. Subramanian said the jury will determine its own schedule for deliberations, which could begin as soon as Friday afternoon. The prosecution delivered a lengthy closing argument. For nearly five hours, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told jurors how Combs operated as the "leader of a criminal enterprise," using "power, violence and fear" to force women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called 'freak offs.' Slavik said Combs exhibited a "pattern" of coercion, using money, drugs and threats to control his victims, including former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and a woman identified by the pseudonym "Jane." The prosecutor recounted their harrowing testimony detailing years of physical abuse and sexual assault. Slavik outlined the five counts Combs faces, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. 'Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes because of his money, his power, his influence. That stops now,' Slavik said. 'It's time to hold him accountable. It's time for justice. And it's time to find him guilty." Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik wrapped up the prosecution's closing argument around 4:30 p.m. ET after nearly five hours. Court was adjourned for the day. Slavik thanked jurors for paying attention over the last seven weeks. 'You heard how the defendant ran his criminal enterprise with total control and with the loyal assistance of his inner circle," Slavik said. 'Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes because of his money, his power, his influence. That stops now. "It is time to hold him accountable; it is time for justice," she continued. "And it's time to find him guilty." In addition to Ventura and "Jane," U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told jurors that "Mia," Combs's former assistant who testified under a pseudonym, was a victim of forced labor. Slavik recounted Mia's testimony about the abuse she says she endured from Combs. Mia told the court that Combs physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times during her employment. 'He sexually assaulted Mia when Cassie and his other girlfriends were not around,' Slavik said. The prosecutor argued that Combs had 'all the power and control,' often threatening Mia's job. Mia also testified that she witnessed Combs become violent with Ventura. 'Mia saw and experienced extreme violence at her boss's hands,' Slavik said. 'It's no wonder she was always worried about her physical safety if she was to tell him no.' Prosecutor Christy Slavik told the jury that Combs forced Cassie Ventura and "Jane" into days-long sexual activities without any sleep. Both women testified that Combs forced them to have sex with multiple men, multiple times over the course of several days. They said they were given drugs like Ecstasy and MDMA to keep them awake. "They got sores, they got sick, they got infections," Slavik said, noting that both women testified they were still told they had to have sex even when they hadn't recovered from infections. "These nights were labor and services. ... This was work." Judge Arun Subramanian and the jury have returned to the courtroom. The court has taken a 15-minute break. Prosecutors indicated that their closing arguments would take another hour when court resumes. During the break when jurors were out of the room, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey told Judge Arun Subramanian that the prosecution thought the defense's arguments were too sarcastic about the government's charges against Combs. "Respectfully, I think I'm allowed to be sarcastic," defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said. In response to the prosecution's complaint, Judge Subramanian told Agnifilo not to question or speculate why the government was pursuing its charges against Combs, calling the situation "grossly improper." When jurors returned to the courtroom, the judge reminded the group, "I will be instructing you on the law in this case." Judge Arun Subramanian is back on the bench after the court took a break. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo spoke for around 94 minutes before the break. The defense said its closing argument should be around three hours long. Judge Arun Subramanian has called for a 15-minute midmorning break. The defense will continue with its closing argument when court resumes. After mentioning Capricorn Clark's testimony claims that she was kidnapped by Combs and taken to rapper Kid Cudi's house at gunpoint in December 2011, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo addressed the prosecution's allegations that Combs was behind Kid Cudi's Porsche catching on fire in early 2012. Kid Cudi testified that his Porsche was set on fire with a Molotov cocktail after Combs learned that he and Cassie Ventura were dating. Prosecutor Christy Slavik reminded the jury of Kid Cudi's testimony about the Porsche yesterday and said, "Of course, the defendant was behind this." Agnifilo argued that the small DNA profile that was found on the Molotov cocktail bottle was "consistent with a female." 'There is no evidence that he had anything to do with the Porsche,' he said. Marc Agnifilo, Combs's lead defense lawyer, started to comb through some of the prosecution's key witnesses and their testimonies, reminding the jury members that they are allowed to question or disregard testimonies if they don't trust them. Agnifilo brought up Capricorn Clark, whom the prosecution argued had been a victim of being kidnapped by Combs twice while working as his personal assistant. The first alleged experience was in 2004, after Clark had started working for Combs. Clark testified she had to undergo five days of lie detector tests to prove she hadn't stolen jewelry and was repeatedly told by the test administrator that if she was caught lying, "they're going to throw you in the East River." But Agnifilo emphasized that Clark testified she went home after the lie detector tests every day. "It's not a kidnapping," he said, before pointing out that the jurors had spent hours watching the trial for the last seven weeks. "Anyone feel kidnapped?" The second alleged incident was in 2011. Clark testified that Combs came to her home with a gun and brought her to Kid Cudi's house, but Agnifilo emphasized that Kid Cudi testified Clark did not mention any guns when she called him and Cassie Ventura that day. 'Had Capricorn said 'gun,' Cudi would've remembered 'gun.' You're not gonna forget 'gun,'' Agnifilo argued. He also reiterated his earlier point that Clark, like most of Combs's employees, loved working for him and would willingly do anything for him. 'If he asked her to take a trip to the moon, she'd go, and he knows that. He doesn't need a gun." Moments after conceding his client was "guilty" of assaulting Cassie Ventura, Combs's lawyer Marc Agnifilo called Ventura a "gangster" for using a burner phone to contact Kid Cudi while she was seeing both men. 'Cassie's keeping it gangster!' Agnifilo said. "She played them both.' During her relationship with Kid Cudi, Ventura repeatedly lied to Combs, Agnifilo said, arguing that it showed she was "not afraid of him." Marc Agnifilo, Combs's defense attorney, used part of his closing argument to mock the raids on Combs's homes. In its indictment, the prosecut said that federal agents recovered guns, drugs and 'more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.' 'Boxes of Astroglide, taken off the streets, whoo! I feel better already,' Agnifilo said. 'Thank goodness for the special response team," he added. "They found the Astroglide, they found the baby oil, they found like five valium pills. Way to go, fellas.' Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued to the jury that Cassie Ventura is not part of a "one-sided, oppressive" relationship with Combs, as the prosecution argued, but ultimately the financial "winner" of the breakup. "She is sitting somewhere in the world with $30 million," Agnifilo said. Ventura won a $20 million civil settlement from Combs after filing a lawsuit against him in November 2023, and is expecting a $10 million settlement from the owner of the InterContinental hotel where she was assaulted by Combs in 2016. Agnifilo called Combs and Ventura's relationship 'a great modern love story,' and said that this case isn't about crime. "We're here because of money," he said. In his closing argument, Marc Agnifilo acknowledged that Combs is "guilty" of domestic violence, but that's not what he's been charged with. Multiple women, including Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, testified that he beat them repeatedly. And a key piece of evidence for prosecutors was a surveillance video that showed Combs assaulting Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. "We own the domestic violence — I hope you guys know that," Agnifilo said. 'It happened. That's not charged. 'He did not do the things he's charged with,' Agnifilo said. 'He didn't commit racketeering — he just didn't.' The lawyer added: 'He did what he did. But he's going to fight to the death to defend himself from what he didn't do.' Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo argued that Combs's employees were loyal to him because 'Sean Combs has become something that is very, very hard to be. Very hard to be. He is a self-made, successful, Black entrepreneur.' Even though multiple former employees have testified in the trial, Agnifilo argued Combs had been integrating DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — into his businesses since he was 24 years old. 'Did they always like him? No way. Let's not even go there,' Agnifilo said about the former employees. 'But they loved him. They didn't want to leave him.' Marc Agnifilo, Combs's lead attorney, began his closing argument by telling jurors that the case presented by federal prosecutors was "false" and "exaggerated." Agnifilo said the evidence does not show criminal behavior but rather 'a lifestyle — you want to call it swingers.' 'Whatever you want to call it, that's what it is," Agnifilo said. "That's what the evidence shows." Judge Arun Subramanian is on the bench, members of the jury have been seated, and Combs's lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, is delivering the closing argument for the defense. Combs's sister, Keisha Combs, is sitting with their mom, Janice Combs, in the family section of the courtroom. Combs's three teenage daughters, Chance and twins D'Lila and Jessie, are also in the spectators' gallery. The defense will deliver its closing argument to the jury at 9 a.m. ET. Combs's lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said he expects his presentation to take about three hours. The prosecution — which took nearly five hours to deliver its closing argument — will have a chance to give a rebuttal. Judge Arun Subramanian will then give the jury its instructions. Subramanian said the jury will determine its own schedule for deliberations, which could begin as soon as Friday afternoon. The prosecution delivered a lengthy closing argument. For nearly five hours, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told jurors how Combs operated as the "leader of a criminal enterprise," using "power, violence and fear" to force women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called 'freak offs.' Slavik said Combs exhibited a "pattern" of coercion, using money, drugs and threats to control his victims, including former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and a woman identified by the pseudonym "Jane." The prosecutor recounted their harrowing testimony detailing years of physical abuse and sexual assault. Slavik outlined the five counts Combs faces, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. 'Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes because of his money, his power, his influence. That stops now,' Slavik said. 'It's time to hold him accountable. It's time for justice. And it's time to find him guilty." Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik wrapped up the prosecution's closing argument around 4:30 p.m. ET after nearly five hours. Court was adjourned for the day. Slavik thanked jurors for paying attention over the last seven weeks. 'You heard how the defendant ran his criminal enterprise with total control and with the loyal assistance of his inner circle," Slavik said. 'Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes because of his money, his power, his influence. That stops now. "It is time to hold him accountable; it is time for justice," she continued. "And it's time to find him guilty." In addition to Ventura and "Jane," U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told jurors that "Mia," Combs's former assistant who testified under a pseudonym, was a victim of forced labor. Slavik recounted Mia's testimony about the abuse she says she endured from Combs. Mia told the court that Combs physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times during her employment. 'He sexually assaulted Mia when Cassie and his other girlfriends were not around,' Slavik said. The prosecutor argued that Combs had 'all the power and control,' often threatening Mia's job. Mia also testified that she witnessed Combs become violent with Ventura. 'Mia saw and experienced extreme violence at her boss's hands,' Slavik said. 'It's no wonder she was always worried about her physical safety if she was to tell him no.' Prosecutor Christy Slavik told the jury that Combs forced Cassie Ventura and "Jane" into days-long sexual activities without any sleep. Both women testified that Combs forced them to have sex with multiple men, multiple times over the course of several days. They said they were given drugs like Ecstasy and MDMA to keep them awake. "They got sores, they got sick, they got infections," Slavik said, noting that both women testified they were still told they had to have sex even when they hadn't recovered from infections. "These nights were labor and services. ... This was work." Judge Arun Subramanian and the jury have returned to the courtroom. The court has taken a 15-minute break. Prosecutors indicated that their closing arguments would take another hour when court resumes.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Diddy's defense blasts 'fake trial' in closing argument, claims government went after private sex life
Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team began closing arguments Friday as the seventh week of the rapper's sex trafficking and racketeering trial comes to a close. Marc Agnifilo, Diddy's attorney, accused the prosecution of bringing a "fake trial" against the "Last Night" rapper as the government went after his "private sex life." Diddy's defense claimed none of the prosecution witnesses testified to engaging in racketeering. Agnifilo pointed out the disgraced music mogul's former employees all described working for him as hard, but also said it was like "going to Harvard Business School." "That's the fake trial I'm talking about," Agnifilo told the jurors, claiming the prosecution failed to prove the government's theory of racketeering. Agnifilo then brought up the raids on Diddy's homes, pointing out the seizure of Astroglide and baby oil. There was nothing about the rapper's businesses to make this a criminal case, the defense attorney stated. "Where is the crime scene? The crime scene is your private sex life," Agnifilo said. According to Diddy's defense, this case was about money. He noted the investigation into Diddy came about after his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, sued the rapper for $30 million. Agnifilo claimed Cassie wouldn't have sued if Diddy didn't have millions. "We're here because of money," he stated to the jury. Ahead of closing arguments, Diddy walked into the courtroom wearing a beige sweater. He gave a small wave, did a thumbs ups and made a heart motion with his hands. The rapper then hugged Agnifilo, before sitting down. There was a short delay in the start of court due to a transportation issue with one juror. While waiting for the jury, Diddy made a prayer gesture with his hands. A few of his lawyers made the gesture back to him. WATCH: PROSECUTORS ACCUSE DIDDY OF RUNNING A 'CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE' For their closing arguments, Diddy's defense team allegedly planned to invoke the Iran conflict during closing arguments, according to TMZ. The government seemingly objected to this strategy after court Tuesday. "Given that the attorneys who will be giving summations won't be here tomorrow, I wanted to put something on the record that I hope will not be necessary, but my hope is that we don't have to object during defense summation," Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said. "I really don't want to do that. So I just wanted to put on the record that we think it would be objectionable and crossing a line for any summation to bring up politics or current events or the propriety of this prosecution and the use of government resources. I would hope that Mr. Agnifilo would not cross over those lines, but I just wanted to say that if he did, I would object in the middle of his summation and ask the Court to instruct the jury to disregard any comments like that. So I just wanted to state that in advance of summations and the hope that it's not necessary." The prosecution noted this issue had been brought up in one of the government's motions in limine. "I believe at that time there was an agreement by the defense not to engage in any of that type of argument," Judge Arun Subramanian said. "But, Mr. Agnifilo, anything to worry about here?" "Nothing to worry about, Judge," Agnifilo responded. WATCH: DIDDY TRIAL JURORS HAVE 'EXTREMELY DIFFICULT' DECISION AHEAD, EXPERT SAYS Prosecutors gave closing arguments Thursday. The government explained how the trial testimony proved each charge against Diddy – two counts of sex trafficking, racketeering and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution – over the course of roughly four hours. The government emphasized in their argument that Diddy ran the alleged criminal enterprise with full control. The prosecution pointed out that the jury heard testimony, saw texts, viewed bank records and heard audio showing the "Last Night" rapper committing crime after crime for decades. According to the prosecution, the government showed Diddy didn't take no for an answer. Up until today, Diddy was able to get away with crime because of money and power, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik said. "That stops now."
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer mocks sex trafficking case in closing, says charges 'badly exaggerated'
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean 'Diddy' Combs was portrayed in his lawyer's closing argument on Friday as the victim of an overzealous prosecution that tried to turn the recreational use of drugs and a swinger lifestyle into a racketeering conspiracy that could put the music mogul behind bars for life. Attorney Marc Angifilo mocked the government's case against Combs and belittled the agents who seized hundreds of bottles of Astroglide lubricant and baby oil at his properties as he began a presentation expected to last several hours. 'Way to go, fellas,' he said of the agents. He said prosecutors had 'badly exaggerated' evidence of the swinger lifestyle and threesomes to combine it with recreational drug use and call it a racketeering conspiracy. 'He did not do the things he's charged with. He didn't do racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking,' the lawyer said. Agnifilo also called Combs' prosecution a 'fake trial' and ridiculed the notion that he engaged in racketeering. 'Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?' Agnifilo asked. 'Did any witness get on that witness stand and say yes, I was part of a racketeering enterprise — I engaged in racketeering?' No, Agnifilo argued, telling jurors that those accusations were a figment of the prosecution's imagination. Combs' family, including six of his children and his mother, were in the audience for the closing. All his life Combs has taken care of people, Agnifilo said, including the ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym Jane, whose rent he's paying. 'I don't know what Jane is doing today,' Agnifilo said. 'But she's doing it in a house he's paying for.' Referring to lawsuits filed by Combs' accusers, he said: 'This isn't about crime. It's about money. This is about money.' He noted that Combs' girlfriend of nearly 11 years — Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura — sued him in a lawsuit that was settled for $20 million in a day in November 2023, triggering a federal probe the following day. 'If you had to pick a winner in this whole thing, it's hard not to pick Cassie,' Agnifilo said. Cassie and Jane both testified during the trial that they were coerced repeatedly by Combs to perform in drug-fueled dayslong sex marathons with male sex workers while Combs watched, directed, masturbated and sometimes filmed the encounters. If convicted, Combs could face a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. He did not testify during the trial that is in its seventh week. After Agnifilo completes his closing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey was expected to deliver a rebuttal summation before the judge reads the law to the jury, which is not expected to begin deliberations until Monday.
