Judge to deliver final blow? Diddy's fate looms in New York trial
Judge Arun Subramanian presided over the criminal trial United States v. Combs, which started on 5 May 2025, in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is facing five federal charges: one for conspiracy to commit racketeering, two for sex trafficking by force, and two for transporting individuals for prostitution.
He pleaded not guilty, and authorities are holding him at MDC Brooklyn under the inmate number 37452 054. Additionally, all twelve jurors (eight men and four women) are New York State residents.
Over six weeks, prosecutors called 34 witnesses, including Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and an unknown woman, known only as 'Jane'.
Ventura, 38, said Combs forced her to participate in drug-fuelled group sexual activities involving urine and subjected her to constant physical and mental abuse. She also said that Combs threatened to send out sex videos to control her.
Brendan Paul, Sean Combs' assistant from late 2022 to March 2024, testified on 20 June 2025 after prosecutors granted him immunity.
Paul also said that he planned 'freak-offs', which he described as parties full of drugs and sex.
He said the terms 'Gucci bag active' and 'Wild King nights' were code words for drug and sex parties, respectively.
After six weeks and thirty-four witnesses, the prosecution will wrap up its case on 23 June 2025.
Combs Global employees and an expert witness will testify during Sean 'Diddy' Combs' defence, which is expected to last one to two days. However, Combs is not going to testify.
The judge has hinted that closing arguments could begin as early as 26 June 2025; it is anticipated that they will begin shortly after the defence is finished.
According to federal sentencing guidelines in the United States, Combs faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.
If convicted of crimes such as sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, Combs could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
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