Sean “Diddy” Combs’s defense attorney is delivering closing arguments in his New York sex trafficking trial today, after which prosecutors will have one last chance to offer a rebuttal.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik presented the government’s closing argument over nearly five hours on Thursday. Slavik used her time to argue that Combs used “power, violence and fear to get what he wanted” while acting as the “leader of a criminal enterprise” who “doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Over the course of seven weeks, the jury has heard shocking testimony from more than 30 witnesses about the rapper’s sex life and alleged history of abusive behavior. Former partners and employees have taken the stand to give evidence.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors have argued that Combs trafficked women by coercing them into fulfilling his sexual desires, transported male escorts for prostitution purposes, and conspired with a “criminal enterprise” to commit crimes. He has denied all wrongdoing.
Despite the nature of the bombshell testimony, Combs has not taken the stand himself, and no defense witnesses were called.
Legal experts told The Independent that he had “everything to lose and nothing to gain” by testifying.
Defense calls this case a ‘trial of lifestyle’
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo called this case a “trial of lifestyle” as he began his closing arguments.
“It is a trial of a lifestyle, if you want to call it swingers, that’s what it is, that’s what the evidence shows,” he said. “The prosecutors have charged one of the most serious, complicated and comprehensive statutes on the books.”
He also said it is a “trial as told by the mouths of the prosecutors.”
“That, I submit to you, is the false trial,” Agnifilo said. “That is the exaggerated trial. That is not the real trial.”
Closing arguments begin
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has launched his closing arguments in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking case.
This is the defense’s last opportunity to convince the jury to acquit Combs.
Diddy faces new lawsuit: report
A woman has filed a lawsuit claiming Sean “Diddy” Combs, his son Justin Combs and two masked men raped her in April 2017, Page Six reports.
The woman said she first met Justin via Snapchat in 2017, and he invited her to his California home. There, the woman says she took drugs and was escorted to the bedroom, where she was told, “You better let this happen, or else.”
The woman says the group of men then raped her.
Combs’s attorney denied the allegations in a statement to Page Six.
“No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor,” the attorney said.
What to expect today
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is set to deliver his closing remarks this morning, which he estimated will take three hours.
Afterward, prosecutor Maurene Comey will have the chance to offer a rebuttal.
When both have finished, Judge Arun Subramanian will give the jury instructions.
Shocking photos from raid on Diddy’s mansion show weapons, drugs and bondage gear discovered by feds
Prosecutors have released batches of photos presenting the troves of baby oil, drugs, firearms, and pieces of lingerie they retrieved from Diddy’s mansions in Los Angeles, Miami and New York during a sequence of raids, giving the public an insight into what jurors will use to make their decision for the first time.
Here’s more from Ariana Baio.
How the sex trafficking trial has played out
Jurors at Combs’s trial were barely seated on its first day when they were shown a video of the hip-hop mogul viciously attacking his longtime girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie.
Over the next seven weeks, jurors heard from 34 witnesses. All were called to the stand by prosecutors, but each was questioned by defense lawyers as they tried to challenge the portrayal of Combs as an out-of-control, violent boss who drove his employees and associates to fear him as he demanded their help in carrying out vendettas, getting drugs and fulfilling his sexual fantasies.
After cross-examinations that often lasted longer than the questions posed by prosecutors, defense lawyers spent only a half hour more presenting evidence once prosecutors finished their side of the case. A relaxed and seemingly satisfied Combs himself confirmed he would not testify.
Here’s a look back at how we got here.
Diddy had ‘total control’ of criminal enterprise, prosecutors claim
Prosecutor Christy Slavik delivered her closing arguments over nearly five hours on Thursday.
Slavik has used her time to argue that Combs used “power, violence and fear to get what he wanted” while acting as the “leader of a criminal enterprise” who “doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Slavik argued Combs trafficked his ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and Jane by forcing them to have sex with male escorts using threats, manipulation and violence.
She also pointed to Combs’s alleged drug use, noting they played an “essential” role in “freak offs.”
Slavik also emphasized evidence suggesting Combs paid male escorts to travel to engage in “freak offs,” further bolstering the charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Slavik ended with a final plea to the jury: “It is time to hold him accountable, it is time for justice. And it’s time to find him guilty.”
Here’s a full report from Kelly Rissman.
Rally for sexual abuse survivors being held outside the courtroom
Also today, a demonstration will be held outside the courthouse in Manhattan at 12pm ET in support of survivors of sexual abuse, organized by the campaign group UltraViolet.
Elisa Batista, who is organizing the event, told The Independent: “We are here for the brave men and women who testified in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial, sharing harrowing stories of systemic and violent abuse, as well as those who weren’t able to.
“No matter the verdict in this trial, survivors still have power. And when we stand together, accountability is achievable.”
Defense to making closing argument as Combs trial nears end
The defense in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial will deliver its closing argument on Friday, after which prosecutors will have one last chance to offer a rebuttal.
Attorney Marc Agnifilo is expected to make the case on the rapper’s behalf and is likely to take around three hours to do so.
The rebuttal will likely to take around one hour.
Diddy himself ultimately chose not to testify and his lawyers did not call any witnesses.
Legal experts told The Independent that the defendant had “everything to lose and nothing to gain” by testifying.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York City.
The hip-hop mogul faces five federal counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Source: independent.co.uk