Sean “Diddy” Combs will not take the stand in his high-profile federal trial, as his defense team formally rested its case on Tuesday, June 24, without calling a single witness to testify.
During the brief court session, which lasted just 23 minutes, Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs how he was holding up amid the weeks-long proceedings.
“I’m doing great, Your Honor,” Combs replied. “I’ve been wanting to tell you thank you — you’re doing an excellent job.”
The judge chuckled at the music mogul’s unexpected compliment.
The defense rested after entering into the record a short exchange of text messages between Combs and his former partner, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, which attorneys appeared to use in an attempt to undermine claims about the coercive nature of their relationship.
“You think you can [Freak-Off] without getting high? Lol,” Combs wrote in one of the texts, according to the defense’s reading aloud in court.
“Yeah I’ll just have to be at my level and what is good for me,” Ventura responded.
The prosecution chose not to offer a rebuttal following the defense’s presentation.
Trial Nears End After 29 Days, 34 Witnesses
Combs faces multiple federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. The trial, which has spanned nearly a month, featured 34 prosecution witnesses over 29 days, including women who alleged years-long abuse at the hands of Combs.
Among the most high-profile witnesses was Cassie Ventura, who was in a relationship with Combs for 11 years and has accused him of physical and emotional abuse. Her testimony was central to the prosecution’s effort to portray Combs as the orchestrator of a criminal enterprise that used intimidation, manipulation, and violence to control women and facilitate sex trafficking.
What’s Next
With both sides now finished presenting their cases, closing arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday, June 26. Jury deliberations could begin as early as Friday, though it’s more likely they will start the following Monday.
The trial has garnered national attention not only due to the severity of the charges but because of Combs’ stature in the entertainment industry. A conviction on the sex trafficking charges could result in a lengthy federal prison sentence, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the once-celebrated mogul.
As the case moves toward its conclusion, the jury will soon be tasked with weighing the disturbing allegations against a man who once stood atop the music world — and deciding whether his legacy will be overshadowed by a guilty verdict.