Jury deliberations in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs begin today, Monday, 30 June 2025, in Manhattan, following six weeks of testimony and two full days of closing arguments.
The fate of Diddy now rests in the jury’s hands
The trial, centred on allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, has drawn widespread attention due to its graphic evidence and high-profile defendant.
The case involves multiple serious charges, including using force, fraud, or coercion to compel sexual acts, and running a long-term criminal enterprise that included drug distribution, bribery, kidnapping, and forced labour.
If convicted, Combs faces a possible life sentence.
Key evidence in the case included dozens of hours of videos referred to as “date night” or “freak off” recordings.
These videos, which are sealed from public view, were presented as proof of criminal sexual activity involving women identified as Cassie Ventura and another accuser referred to by the pseudonym “Jane.”
Prosecutors say these videos show not consensual intimacy, but coercive and exploitative encounters.
Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik argued that Combs manipulated his alleged victims through threats, drugs, and financial control.
She cited the use of “liquid Molly” (a powerful drug also known as MDMA) and pointed to the defendant’s alleged threats to release explicit videos as examples of coercion.
“This is not about dysfunctional relationships,” Slavik said.
“It’s about how the defendant’s conduct broke federal law.”
In contrast, Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo attempted to reframe the video content, telling jurors that what was shown amounted to adult relationships and private moments.
He described the scenes as “essentially… a date night” and urged jurors to view them analytically, not emotionally.
He also questioned the prosecution’s motives, suggesting the case was driven by financial gain, referencing Ventura’s $30 million civil settlement.
Judge Arun Subramanian, who presides over the case, instructed jurors to disregard any arguments about why prosecutors chose to charge Combs or about alleged selective prosecution.
He reminded the jury that their duty is solely to determine whether the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors listed nine predicate acts to support the racketeering conspiracy charge.
Jurors must find at least two proven for Combs to be convicted on that count, including acts like sex trafficking, kidnapping, and drug distribution. Each sex trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.
Court proceedings will resume at on Monday, 30 June 2025, at 09:00 EST (15:00 SAST), when Judge Subramanian is expected to deliver final instructions before deliberations officially begin.