NEW YORK (AP) — The sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs entered its sixth week, which was shortened due to a holiday and a juror's illness. As prosecutors near the conclusion of their case, the defense is expected to present its side in just one or two days next week. Combs, founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The trial is set to continue on Monday.
During the trial's first five weeks, jurors were presented with testimony regarding drug-fueled sexual events referred to as “freak-offs” by one former girlfriend and “hotel nights” by another. In the sixth week, the prosecution showed jurors approximately 20 minutes of video recordings capturing the explicit nature of these events.
Prosecutors argue that these events illustrate Combs' alleged sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, alleging that he coerced associates and employees, including girlfriends, to recruit and arrange travel for sex workers. They claim workers were tasked with obtaining drugs and stocking hotel rooms with various supplies including baby oil, lubricant, condoms, candles, and liquor, in addition to delivering cash for these proceedings.
In contrast, defense attorney Teny Geragos characterized the videos as “powerful evidence” of consensual sexual conduct rather than coercion. The prosecution's presentation included about two minutes of footage, followed by the defense showing about 18 minutes. Due to the judge's rulings, the public and press were unable to observe the videos or hear the sound, limiting external assessment of the arguments made by either side. Some jurors appeared uncomfortable, with a few turning their bodies away from the screen as they listened through headphones provided by the court.
Additionally, Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed a juror early in the week who had provided conflicting information regarding his residency in New Jersey or New York, expressing concerns about the juror’s truthfulness and the impact of such inconsistencies on the trial's integrity. The judge indicated that residents of New Jersey could not serve on a New York federal jury.
Defense lawyers had contested the dismissal vigorously, suggesting it would disrupt the jury's diverse composition and could lead to a mistrial. This same week, a media report concerning another juror's questioning in a sealed proceeding prompted the judge to issue a warning to attorneys about potential civil and criminal repercussions for any further leaks. Another court session was canceled due to a juror experiencing “vertigo symptoms” while en route to the courthouse.
As the defense prepares its case, attorney Marc Agnifilo indicated on Friday that the presentation would likely take only a few hours, possibly wrapping up by Tuesday or Wednesday. It is common for defendants to choose not to testify in criminal cases due to the risks of cross-examination and the potential implications of their statements should a retrial occur.
In related testimony, Brendan Paul, a former personal assistant to Combs who had recently concluded his college basketball career, described the demanding nature of his job, which involved 80 to 100 hours of work per week. He recounted being advised by a previous employee to leave the job quickly, emphasizing the intense demands and lack of personal time. Paul noted his salary increased from $75,000 to $100,000 and mentioned instances where he picked up drugs for Combs, indicating the challenges of keeping the celebrity’s profile low due to his fame.
Paul's employment with Combs ended abruptly in March 2024 when he was arrested at a Miami airport on drug charges after a small amount of cocaine, which he stated he had obtained from Combs' room, was mistakenly placed in his bag. Those charges were ultimately dropped due to a pretrial diversion program, and Paul claimed he had not seen Combs since the incident.
