What to know before jury begins deliberating in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial
Share this @internewscast.com

A federal judge in New York City is expected to instruct jurors Monday morning before sending them off to decide the music mogul’s fate.

NEW YORK — For seven weeks, a jury in Manhattan has been absorbing the details of a criminal sex trafficking and racketeering case brought against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. They’ve listened to former girlfriends and other witnesses recount harrowing tales of violence and lengthy, drug-laden sexual encounters.

On Monday, the jury is set to start deliberations to decide if Combs was orchestrating a criminal operation, as the government claims, or — as his attorney argues — was merely engaged in a swinger lifestyle with recreational drug consumption and, unfortunately, instances of domestic violence.

The verdict will shape the future of one of the most influential music moguls and cultural icons of the last four decades. If found guilty, Combs, 55, could be sentenced to 15 years to life imprisonment.

Here’s what to know about the case:

The three-time Grammy Award winner has pleaded not guilty to five felony charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Prosecutors say Combs coerced women into abusive sex parties involving hired male sex workers, ensured their compliance with drugs like cocaine and threats to their careers, and silenced victims through blackmail and violence that included kidnapping, arson and beatings.

“He’s the leader of a criminal enterprise. He doesn’t take no for an answer,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik said in her closing arguments on Thursday.

Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, portrayed the Bad Boys Records founder as the victim of overzealous prosecutors who exaggerated elements of his lifestyle and recreational drug use to bring charges that resulted in what he called a “fake trial.”

The most serious charge, racketeering conspiracy, alleges that Combs ran a criminal enterprise for two decades that relied on bodyguards, household staff, personal assistants and others in his orbit to facilitate and cover up crimes.

Federal prosecutors brought the charge under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. Congress passed the federal law in 1970 with the declared purpose of targeting organized crime, but its use has been more widespread.

To prove the charge, prosecutors must show that an enterprise existed and was involved in a pattern of racketeering activity. In this case, that alleged activity includes kidnapping, arson, bribery and sex trafficking.

Early in the trial, prosecutors showed jurors 2016 security video of Combs beating and kicking his former longtime girlfriend Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel. Cassie, an R&B singer whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, testified the assault took place as she was trying to leave one of the sexual encounters, which witnesses say he referred to as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”

Jurors saw numerous explicit clips of such encounters, some involving Cassie and others involving a later girlfriend who was identified only by the the pseudonym “Jane.”

Both women took the stand.

Cassie testified over four days that she participated in hundreds of the events with paid sex workers while she and Combs were in a relationship from 2007 until 2018, often feeling like she didn’t have a choice. She sued Combs in 2023, alleging years of abuse. He settled within hours, and dozens of similar lawsuits followed.

Jane testified over six days that she was romantically involved with Combs from 2021 until his September arrest at a New York hotel, and that she, too, felt forced to have sex with the hired strangers in multiday sex marathons while Combs watched.

The Associated Press doesn’t generally identify people who say they are victims of sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has done.

Testimony also included hours of text message exchanges, some of which involved Combs or other people in his orbit, that were read aloud by a Homeland Security Investigations agent.

In all, 34 people took the stand, all of them called by the prosecution.

Judge Arun Subramanian will give instructions to the jurors on Monday before sending them off to deliberate inside the Manhattan federal courthouse.

The jury of 8 men and 4 women must unanimously decide guilty or not guilty on each count.

That means all 12 jurors must agree. If jurors don’t reach an agreement, they could come back and say they are deadlocked.

Traditionally, the judge would then encourage them to continue deliberating, but if they can’t reach a consensus, it would be up to the judge to decide whether to declare a mistrial.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Damage to the Delaware Memorial Bridge after a tractor-trailer crash.

Latest on the Delaware Memorial Bridge Incident: Tractor-Trailer Crosses 3 Lanes, Breaks Barrier, and Plunges into Water

A MASSIVE rescue operation is underway after a tractor trailer cab crashed…
Hochul defends handling of sexual harassment, toxic workplace complaints against ex-press secretary

Governor Hochul Addresses Allegations of a Hostile Environment and Misconduct by Former Press Secretary

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul is standing by her administration’s response to…
Texas deadly floods: Victims from the Houston area

Houston Area Casualties in Devastating Texas Floods

Early in the morning on July 4, a catastrophic flood in the…
Two soldiers carrying rifles walk across a metal bridge.

Travis Decker’s Missing Days Numbered as Experts Warn Fugitive Dad’s Options to Remain Hidden Are Dwindling

According to experts, Travis Decker, who is accused of child murder, would…
Waycross teens killed by lightning strike, city manager says

City Manager Reports Teen Deaths from Lightning Strike in Waycross

Waycross City Manager Ulysess Rayford said the two teens were fishing when…
El Chapo's son pleads guilty to US drug trafficking

El Chapo’s Son Admits Guilt in US Drug Trafficking Case

As part of a plea agreement, Guzman Lopez admitted to helping oversee…
Geoengineering Whistleblower Shanahan Reveals Truth

Shanahan, the Geoengineering Whistleblower, Unveils the Truth

Nicole Shanahan, RFK Jr.’s running mate, shares whistleblower details exposing ongoing U.S.…
'Freakier Friday': Behind-the-scenes look at Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis on set of the new Disney sequel

‘Freaky Friday’ Sequel: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis on the Disney Set

Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of “Freakier Friday,” the sequel to the…
South River, New Jersey police officers save 1-year-old choking child, body camera video shows

Heroic South River Police Officers Rescue Choking Toddler in Heart-Pounding Bodycam Footage

SOUTH RIVER, N.J. — Police officers in New Jersey jumped into action…
‘Devil in the Ozarks’ investigators uncover how murderer escaped prison before manhunt

Investigators of ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ Reveal How Murderer Escaped Prison Ahead of Manhunt

Arkansas legislators grilled representatives from the state’s Department of Corrections on Thursday…
Illegal immigrant convicted of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase

Undocumented Immigrant Found Guilty of Firing at Rural Police Officer During High-Speed Pursuit

A small-town traffic stop turned into a deadly confrontation when an illegal…
Man holding photos of murder suspect, mistakenly identified as suspect.

Travis Decker Doppelgänger Claims He ‘Spent Night Near Murderer’ While Evading Police for Days During Manhunt

A MAN mistaken for accused child killer Travis Decker has spoken out…