This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ legal fate hangs in the balance as the music mogul’s landmark criminal trial nears a close.
On Wednesday, June 25, prosecutors, defense attorneys and the judge met during a charge conference to determine instructions for jurors before they begin deliberating either at the end of the week or beginning June 30. U.S. attorneys indicated they would “streamline” instructions for jury deliberation by dropping some of their racketeering theories related to attempted arson and kidnapping.
The back-and-forth arrived a day after prosecutors rested their case on June 24. Over the course of nearly seven weeks, several individuals in Combs’ personal and professional orbit – from ex-girlfriends Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine and “Jane” to Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard and rap peer Kid Cudi – testified during Combs’ trial. In total, prosecutors called forward more than 30 witnesses.
As testimony came to an end, attorneys for the U.S. government zeroed in on graphic evidence from Combs’ alleged “freak off” sex parties, which included video footage, text messages and financial records. Prosecutors painted a picture of Combs and his employees being personally involved with organizing the elaborate sexual performances, working with escorts, Combs’ partners and others.
Meanwhile, Combs’ attorneys rested their case in less than half an hour, with the defense opting not to call any witnesses to the stand. Their arguments mainly focused on romantic – and occasionally explicit – texts between Combs and Ventura Fine.
Although Combs’ alleged abuse is at the center of the trial, the Grammy-winning rapper told the court he would not be testifying. Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs’ lead lawyer Marc Agnifilo if he spoke with his client about his right to testify, and Agnifilo said they discussed it at length.
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.
Judge allows Diddy defense extra night before giving its closing argument
As the June 25 hearing over jury instructions came to a close at about 7:30 p.m. ET, Judge Arun Subramanian granted a request from Combs’ team to wait until Friday morning, June 27, to begin its closing argument.
Prosecutor Maurene Comey said the defense should have to start Thursday afternoon, June 26, after the prosecution’s closing argument. She expressed concern that delaying it would waste the jury’s time and that the defense was engaging in gamesmanship in order to sit with the prosecution’s closing argument overnight and map out its response.
However, Subramanian said he thought the arrangement would be fine, given that the defense is no longer expressing a concern about pushing the case beyond the July 4 holiday.
Prosecution told jury sex trafficking can happen without completed commercial sex act
Into the evening on June 25, lawyers for Combs and the prosecution continue to make their cases to the judge on how he should instruct the jury about the charges the music mogul faces.
Prosecutor Madison Smyser said it’s important for jurors to understand that sex trafficking may sometimes have occurred without a completed commercial sex act. She gave the example of when Combs was seen on hotel security camera footage throwing Ventura Fine to the ground near an elevator and then dragging her.
Ventura Fine testified this took place during a freak off, after Combs hit her and she attempted to leave. Smyser said the prosecution may argue in its closing that the alleged incident demonstrated sex trafficking, even if a commercial sex act didn’t follow.
Have Diddy’s charges been dropped? What we know about prosecutors’ ditched theories
Combs’ lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, argued that Combs would be “severely prejudiced” by that instruction, even if it’s consistent with existing law, because the prosecution has repeatedly tried its case against Combs as if a commercial sex act is required. Smyser replied that Combs’ defense team has been on notice since the beginning of the case that some commercial sex acts may not have been completed.
The judge said he was leaning towards the prosecution on the issue, but would consider the matter further.
Prosecutors drop some kidnapping, arson and sex trafficking claims ‘to streamline’
In a June 24 court filing obtained by USA TODAY, prosecutors indicated they are dropping some of their claims about Combs’ alleged criminal acts ahead of June 26 closing arguments. The details were included in U.S. attorneys’ letter to a judge about jury instructions for deliberation.
Specifically, they no longer want jurors to consider allegations that Combs engaged in criminal racketeering by attempting kidnapping in California and New York and attempting arson in California – both of which were related to an alleged break-in at Kid Cudi’s house and explosion in his car. They are similarly dropping a claim that Combs aided and abetted sex trafficking.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Combs is in the clear on all related allegations. The indictment he faces accused him not just of attempting arson and kidnapping, but also of committing arson and kidnapping outright, as part of a criminal conspiracy. Combs also still faces multiple charges related to sex trafficking.
Prosecutors said they were dropping the charges in light of the judge’s desire “to streamline” the instructions he will give to jurors after closing arguments.
What’s going on in the Diddy trial today?
Subramanian is holding what’s known as a charging conference with prosecutors and Combs’ lawyers. That’s where both sides discuss − and debate − the instructions that will be given to the jury.
Combs has seemed interested at times as lawyers have poured through the instructions page by page, nodding as his attorneys have called for technical changes or additions.
What is Diddy’s net worth? Still wealthy, but now worth almost half as much: Forbes
In 2024, Forbes magazine estimated Combs’ net worth at $400 million – a significant drop from its 2019 figure of $740 million. Both Combs and his team later claimed he was a billionaire, Forbes said, despite offering no documentation to back up the claim.
According to publicly available documents and news reports, Combs’ most valuable personal possession is likely his 17,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom mansion, appraised at more than $61 million, in the tony Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. It was raided as part of a criminal probe and listed for sale last September.
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.
Why didn’t Diddy’s lawyers call any witnesses?
Prosecutors spent weeks calling dozens of witnesses in their arguments against Combs. The jury heard from his former girlfriends and business associates, federal agents, security officers and others.
But his lawyers wrapped up their case in less than 30 minutes without calling anyone to the stand. Why?
One factor to note: Defendants in criminal cases aren’t required to present evidence, and judges instruct juries not to hold that against defendants. To win a guilty verdict, prosecutors have to prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt.
Combs’ lawyers haven’t explained why they didn’t call any witnesses. But they may think prosecutors haven’t cleared that bar, or they don’t want to risk calling a witness who could sway the jury against their client.
Baby oil, Cialis: Diddy demands laundry list of supplies for ‘freak off’
As prosecutors wrapped up their argument, jurors saw and heard messages from Combs demanding supplies for an alleged “freak off.”
“There’s no more baby oil,” Combs said in one audio message to his chief of staff Kristina “KK” Khorram, chuckling. “I can’t believe I’m out of baby oil.” He thought he had 20 bottles at the time.
In a separate message to Khorram, Combs said he needed “five more bottles of everything.” Later, his team responded that they were bringing him baby oil, lubricant from the brand Astroglide, his Apple TV and multiple lattes.
Combs continued to send audio messages, one asking for vegetable soup and another in which he said, “Can security bring me some money? I need $5,000.”
In another message he asked for “a Cialis, please,” joking “See? I’m going to keep on calling you to make sure you have everything I need.” Cialis is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Diddy says he doesn’t want to testify during trial
The rapper verbally confirmed on June 24 he did not want to take the stand – one of the only times Combs spoke out loud during his weekslong trial.
Combs exchanged a few remarks with the judge, saying he was doing “great” and that he thought the judge was managing the trial well. He said it was “solely my decision” not to to testify, and he “thoroughly” discussed it with his legal team.
Has the Diddy trial reached a verdict?
No, a verdict has not yet been reached in Combs’ criminal case.
Following presentations from prosecutors and Combs’ attorneys, which wrapped June 24, the trial will now enter closing arguments before the jury is sent into deliberations. Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday, June 26 and stretch into the following day.
Defense attorney Teny Geragos said both prosecutors and defense lawyers estimate their arguments will last four hours each.
Regarding jury deliberations, a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, in which prosecutors and Combs’ attorneys will talk about jury instructions with Judge Subramanian. Jurors won’t be present for the discussion.
Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more
Diddy’s eerie favorite TV show revealed by ex-girlfriend
Combs’ ex-girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym “Jane,” revealed on June 10 the eerie TV show Combs reportedly counts as his favorite.
Under cross-examination, Jane said she “endured” nights in hotels with escorts because she wanted to spend time with Combs – bathing him, rubbing his feet, cuddling with him and watching the NBC true crime series “Dateline” until he fell asleep.
A centerpiece of “Dateline” programming is highlighting injustices and crimes perpetrated by men against women.
Former Diddy aide Mia says rapper assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt movie premiere
Combs’ former assistant, a woman who went by the pseudonym “Mia,” testified on June 2 that she witnessed a 2012 discussion between Combs and Ventura Fine escalate into physical violence at the premiere of the Brad Pitt film “Killing Them Softly,” which took place at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
She claimed she saw Combs grit his teeth while digging his nails into Ventura Fine’s arm, and eventually insisted that Ventura Fine leave, which she did.
Diddy’s ex-assistant talks 50 Cent feud
Capricorn Clark, another former assistant of Combs who took the stand, recalled an incident concerning the rapper’s longtime feud with fellow emcee 50 Cent.
On May 27, Clark testified she was accompanying Combs to an MTV office to speak to reporters when she overheard him tell his security guard that he didn’t like “nonsense” in his work, but he did “like guns.” Clark noted that 50 Cent was at the MTV offices that day, and “he had an issue with” the rapper.
Combs and 50 Cent’s rivalry dates back nearly 20 years. The “Get Rich or Die Tryin” rapper, born Curtis Jackson, is producing a docuseries to premiere on Netflix about the allegations against Combs.
Britney Spears, Michael B. Jordan, Rihanna: Diddy trial filled with celebrity name-drops
Although Ventura Fine and Kid Cudi have arguably been the biggest names to testify at Combs’ trial, several Hollywood A-listers were name-dropped throughout the rapper’s high-profile case.
Some of these stars included pop singers Rihanna, Beyoncé
and Britney Spears; R&B singer-songwriter Usher; music executive Jimmy Iovine; and actor Michael B. Jordan.
During her May 15 testimony, Ventura Fine said Combs suspected that she was in a relationship with Jordan after the pair broke up in 2015, alleging the rapper attempted to get in contact with her afterward.
Former Diddy aide Capricorn Clark alleges physical violence, Kid Cudi break-in
In emotional testimony, Clark alleged the hip-hop mogul kidnapped her and threatened to kill her multiple times while she worked for him.
While on the stand May 27, Clark claimed she was once held against her will for five days after several pieces of jewelry went missing at the rapper’s home. She said she was “petrified” and forced to take polygraph tests over and over again.
She also described an alleged break-in carried out by Combs, during which he rushed to Kid Cudi‘s Los Angeles home with a gun after he learned the fellow rapper, born Scott Mescudi, was dating Combs’ ex-girlfriend Ventura Fine.
Why was baby oil found at Diddy’s home?
During a September 2024 press conference, U.S. attorney Damian Williams detailed the paraphernalia discovered during the federal raids of Combs’ homes. The items included multiple AR-15 guns, large-capacity magazines, “evidence” of Combs’ alleged sex crimes and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.
According to Combs’ original indictment, the baby oil bottles were used during the hip-hop mogul’s alleged “freak-off” parties, which were described as “elaborate and produced sex performances” that involved sex workers.
Combs and his employees conducted “freak offs” by booking hotel rooms and stocking them with supplies such as baby oil, lube, extra bedsheets and lighting, per the indictment. The rapper allegedly “arranged, directed” and “masturbated” during these sometimes dayslong “performances,” and drugs were reportedly distributed to victims, in part, to keep them “obedient and compliant.”
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
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.
