Sean “Diddy” Combs has asserted that he is performing an “excellent job” during his ongoing sex trafficking trial, confirming he will not take the stand. This statement was made during a court session presided over by US District Judge Arun Subramanian, following the prosecution’s conclusion of a six-week presentation of evidence. The prosecution’s case involved testimonies from former employees and two ex-girlfriends, who conveyed their regrets about how Combs treated them over two decades.
After the prosecution rested, Combs’ legal team requested the immediate dismissal of the charges, claiming the evidence was insufficient. The judge has yet to make a ruling on this request. The case has featured 34 witnesses, with significant testimonies from former girlfriends Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a model identified only as “Jane.”
Prosecutors have highlighted instances of alleged “freak-offs” as central to the sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges against Combs, who has pleaded not guilty and is currently detained without bail, deemed a potential danger to the community. While Combs’ defence argues that the relationships were consensual and align with a swingers lifestyle, the prosecution maintains that the testimonies of his former partners illustrate coercive circumstances surrounding multiple sexual encounters.
Ventura, who had an on-and-off relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, testified about feeling pressured to engage in these encounters, which often involved male sex workers. Jane recounted similar experiences from her relationship with Combs from 2021 until his arrest.
During the trial, demonstrations of various recorded interactions featuring Combs have been shown to jurors, eliciting mixed reactions. Defence lawyer Teny Geragos argued that the videos serve as compelling evidence supporting the defence’s claim of consensual conduct. Combs has remained actively involved in his defence, providing notes and guidance to his legal team.
The judge has previously cautioned Combs for his behaviour in court, where he nodded towards jurors in response to favourable testimonies, reminding him such actions could lead to his exclusion from the trial.
Closing arguments are tentatively planned for Thursday as the jury awaits to resume its duties after a break.