The federal sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is winding to a close. Jurors have seen all the evidence, and a verdict could come soon now that the disgraced music mogul has officially decided not to take the stand in his own defense.
Combs has been on trial for over a month on the bombshell charges that he used violence, money and blackmail to force women to participate in drug-fueled sex shows called “freak-offs.” The rapper, who maintains his innocence, could face a potential life sentence if convicted on all counts.
Prosecutors rested on Tuesday (June 24) after a Homeland Security agent finished testifying, the New York Times reports. The government has built its case with videos, text messages and dozens of witnesses – most crucially, singer Cassie Ventura and an anonymous women known as “Jane,” both ex-girlfriends of Combs who testified that they were coerced into participating in the freak-offs.
Combs’ lawyers did not call any witnesses of their own and spent less than half an hour reading text messages into the record before resting the defense case as well. Combs opted not to testify, a common decision made by the majority of criminal defendants due to the risks that come with opening oneself up to cross-examination.
As is typical in these situations, Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs himself to confirm that he had personally chosen not to testify and understood the right he was forfeiting.
“That is solely my decision,” Combs said, adding as an aside to the judge, “I wanted to tell you, thank you, you’re doing an excellent job.”
Though Combs’ lawyers didn’t call witnesses, they’ve made the case throughout the trial that the rapper’s sex parties were entirely consensual. The defense presented this perspective through intense cross-examination of Ventura and Jane, focusing on text messages where the two women seemed to convey enthusiasm for Combs’ freak-offs.
Defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro reiterated this argument while making a motion for acquittal as a matter of law to Judge Subramanian on Tuesday. According to CNN, Shapiro acknowledged that Combs was “regrettably violent” towards Ventura but said domestic violence is not the same as sex trafficking.
“A person in Mr. Combs’ position clearly would’ve understood that, on the contrary, she enjoyed the sexual activity and did not feel coerced,” Shapiro said.
The judge reserved his decision on the acquittal motion. Such motions are rarely granted, but useful for defense attorneys who want to build a strong trial record for appeal.
Jurors get a day off now, as the lawyers are slated to spend Wednesday (June 25) hammering our legal instructions with Judge Subramanian. Closing arguments are slated to begin Thursday (June 26) and last for at least an entire day.
The judge will then have to read his lengthy legal instructions to the jury, a process that often lasts multiple hours. This means deliberations could start either late in the day Friday or Monday morning – though how long it will take the jury to agree unanimously on a verdict is anyone’s guess.
