Diddy Unlikely to Testify as Defense Nears Wrap in Federal Sex Trafficking Trial
It’s looking more and more like Sean “Diddy” Combs won’t be taking the stand in his high-profile federal sex trafficking trial.
During a tense courtroom exchange on Tuesday, Diddy’s defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that their case could take as little as two days — and no more than five. That tight timeline makes it highly unlikely that Combs will testify in his own defense, since any appearance by the music mogul would likely stretch well beyond a week.
For comparison, testimony from two of Combs’ ex-girlfriends has already taken up a significant chunk of the six-week trial.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He’s been behind bars at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn since his arrest in September at a Manhattan hotel.
Prosecution Nears the Finish Line
Federal prosecutors say they plan to rest their case by Wednesday — or Friday morning at the latest. That means jury deliberations could begin as early as next week.
In court Tuesday, tensions flared as the judge lashed out over a leak tied to a sealed hearing about a juror. Subramanian warned both sides that further breaches of courtroom confidentiality could lead to severe consequences, including criminal contempt.
“This is the only warning I will give,” the judge said sternly, making it clear he expected no further slip-ups.
The Case Against Combs
Prosecutors continued building their case Tuesday, presenting jurors with a paper trail of text messages, phone records, and hotel bookings. The evidence, they argue, supports their claims that Combs orchestrated a years-long conspiracy — using his fame, his employees, and a network of enablers in the music industry to dominate, manipulate, and abuse women.
Two women at the center of the case — Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another woman identified in court only as “Jane” — testified that Combs coerced them into extended, multi-day sex marathons. They described a disturbing pattern of threats, cash incentives, and instances where Combs allegedly watched, directed, or even filmed their encounters with male sex workers.
Ventura dated Combs from 2007 to 2018. Jane said her relationship with him began in 2021 and lasted until his arrest in 2023.
Defense Pushback
Combs’ legal team has tried to reframe the case as an overreach, arguing that the government is attempting to turn what they call “consensual adult relationships” into criminal conduct.
With the trial nearing its end and no sign that Combs will testify, all eyes are now on the jury — and the final arguments from both sides in what’s shaping up to be one of the most closely watched celebrity trials of the year.
Source: AP News – Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs probably won’t testify as defense says its case could be less than 2 days
