Sean "Diddy" Combs' Fate is Now in the Hands of the Jury

Deliberations begins in the Sean Combs' Trial

After more than seven weeks of dramatic testimony and evidence presentation, a 12-member federal jury has begun deliberations in the high stakes trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated a criminal enterprise involving racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by coercion, and the transportation of women for prostitution across state lines .

🔹 Charges and Stakes

Combs, 55, faces five felony counts:

• Racketeering conspiracy

• Two counts of sex trafficking

• Two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution

If convicted on all charges, Combs could face life in prison

🔹 What the Jury Heard

The prosecution presented its case over 34 witnesses, including former girlfriends Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. a woman known as “Jane.” They described drug-fueled "freak-off" sex parties, coercion, and violence, including a security video of Combs assaulting Ventura in March of 2016. 

Ventura's mother, Regina Ventura, testified about being blackmailed by Combs as Combs demanded $20,000 from her and her husband "to recoup money he had spent on" Cassie, after Cassie left him for Scott Mescudi, known to fans as Kid Cudi.  

Regina Ventura testified that Combs had threatened to release compromising photos of her daughter unless she paid him $20,000. She said that she complied with combs' demands. Days later, she said the funds were returned without any explanation and Cassie returned to Combs. She also testified about the physical and mental abuse her daughter allegedly experienced while she was with Combs.

Cassie's ex-friend Kerry Morgan testified that she witnessed Combs slap or push Cassie multiple times during their relationship. She testified about two incidents where she seen Cassie being abused. In the first incident she stated that while at Combs’ Los Angeles home, she saw Combs pushed and hit Cassie. To escape the abuse, she and Cassie hid under a neighbor’s front steps as Combs and his security searched for them.

The second incident happened during a 2013 trip to Jamaica. Morgan testified that Combs became angry because he felt that Cassie was taking too long in the bathroom. She described hearing “guttural” screams coming from the bathroom. She testified to seeing Combs drag Cassie by her hair, push her to the ground, and cause her to hit her head on bricks. She explained that after that incident she and Cassie hid.

🔹 Kid Cudi's Comic Relief Amid the Intense Proceedings

Although some of the testimony was sad, the trial was not with its  its moments of levity and laughter when Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Kudi testified. Mescudi testified that after discovering his Porsche had been blown up and set ablaze, he arranged to meet with Combs at the SoHo House social club in Los Angeles. There, he recalled, Combs stood silently staring out the window with his hands behind his back, a stance Mescudi described as “like a Marvel supervillain.” The vivid comparison sparked laughter in the courtroom. Later, when asked about his role in the broader situation, Mescudi simply shrugged and said, “I just make music, man,” offering another rare moment of comic relief amid the otherwise intense proceedings.

🔹Closing Arguments

On June 24, 2025, federal prosecutors rested their case, arguing that Sean Combs used his fame, wealth, and inner circle to wield power and control over his alleged victims.

Three days later, on June 27, Combs’ defense attorney Marc Agnifilo delivered a four-hour closing argument. He acknowledged that Combs had moments of anger, but insisted that all encounters were consensual and part of the artist’s so-called "swinger lifestyle." Agnifilo argued the case was motivated more by money than criminal behavior, and urged the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.

🔹Drama shortly after Deliberations

The case is now in the hands of the jury, and deliberations have already begun with drama. Shortly after the panel convened, the jury foreperson sent a note to the judge, stating that Juror No. 25 “cannot follow Your Honor’s instructions.” The foreperson also requested to either speak directly with the judge or have Juror No. 25 interviewed. In response, Judge Arun Subramanian instructed both sides to meet and confer until 2 p.m. ET, at which point he would return to the bench to decide how to proceed. As of now, both the prosecution and defense have proposed that the judge send a note back to the jury panel.