The courtroom crescendo in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial reaches its peak with the anticipation of a verdict as the nation waits with bated breath.
At a Glance
- Closing arguments are set to begin Thursday in the federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
- In a last-minute move, prosecutors have dropped the attempted arson and kidnapping theories from their racketeering case.
- The defense rested its case in just 20 minutes, arguing the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof.
- The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Monday.
The Final Arguments
After a blockbuster seven-week trial, attorneys are set to present their closing arguments on Thursday in the federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs. In a significant last-minute strategic shift, prosecutors have narrowed their focus, informing the court they will no longer pursue the attempted arson and kidnapping theories that were part of the broader racketeering conspiracy charges against the music mogul.
This move streamlines the case for the jury, which will now focus on the core allegations of sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and other related felonies. The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Monday after receiving final instructions from the judge.
The Defense’s High-Stakes Gamble
The prosecution’s adjustment comes after the defense team rested its case in a stunningly brief 20-minute session on Tuesday without calling a single witness. The defense’s core argument is that the government, after a sprawling six-week case involving over 30 witnesses, has failed to prove that Combs’s actions meet the legal definition of federal crimes like sex trafficking.
As reported by Rolling Stone, defense attorney Teny Geragos is expected to argue that prosecutors have conflated personal disputes with federal offenses. “Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” Geragos has previously stated. “Had he been charged with domestic violence, had he been charged with assault, we would not be here right now.”
Awaiting the Verdict
The defense is banking on the idea that they have created enough reasonable doubt to secure an acquittal. They have pointed to affectionate text messages from Combs’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, to argue that the relationships were consensual and have sought to undermine the credibility and motives of the accusers, many of whom have also filed civil lawsuits.
The stakes could not be higher for the 55-year-old entrepreneur. If convicted of the serious federal charges, he faces the possibility of life in prison. After weeks of testimony that has captivated and disturbed the public, the fate of one of the most powerful figures in modern music now rests in the hands of the jury.
