The high-stakes federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is entering its final phase, with both the prosecution and defense expected to rest their cases as early as Tuesday. Closing arguments are tentatively scheduled for Thursday in the Manhattan courtroom, after which a jury will decide Combs’ fate. If convicted, the 55-year-old faces life imprisonment.
The prosecution is wrapping up its case with its 34th and final witness currently on the stand. Defense attorneys have indicated they will not be calling any witnesses of their own—a strategic move not uncommon in criminal trials, where the burden of proof rests solely on the prosecution. Instead, the defense plans to submit several exhibits into evidence before resting their case.
Over seven weeks of often graphic and emotional testimony, federal prosecutors have attempted to portray Combs as the orchestrator of a criminal enterprise involving high-ranking employees who allegedly engaged in acts of bribery, arson, kidnapping, and sex trafficking. The prosecution claims the artist organized drug-fueled, multi-day sexual encounters known as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights,” some of which were recorded and later shown to the jury.
Among the most damning evidence was surveillance footage showing Combs violently assaulting singer Casandra Ventura, his former girlfriend, in a hotel corridor. Ventura, who previously filed and swiftly settled a civil suit against Combs in 2023, was one of the key witnesses in the trial. A hotel security guard testified he was paid $100,000 in cash to turn over the video, which was later leaked to the media.
Prosecutors also presented an array of text messages, phone records, and travel documents to bolster their claims and link Combs directly to the alleged crimes. Three women took the stand, providing harrowing accounts of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Combs has denied all charges, with his legal team arguing that all sexual encounters were consensual and that the government has not met the burden of proof.
Jurors, who are not sequestered, have been repeatedly instructed to avoid media coverage—a challenging task given the widespread attention the trial has received across both traditional and social platforms.
The outcome of the case now hinges on closing arguments and the jury’s deliberation, which could begin later this week.