The prosecution has concluded its presentation of evidence in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial, marking the end of over six weeks of testimony against the hip-hop mogul.
This development occurred after defense attorney Teny Geragos completed his cross-examination of the government’s final witness, Joseph Cerciello, a Homeland Security Investigations agent.
Prosecutors have highlighted the alleged “freak offs” as central to the sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges that led to Combs’ arrest last September.
The defense maintains that these encounters were consensual sexual acts.
Combs, 55, has pleaded ‘not guilty’ and remains in custody without bail, a decision upheld by multiple judges last fall who deemed him a risk to the community.
The prosecution’s case featured 34 witnesses, including former employees of Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment companies. However, the core of their evidence stemmed from the testimonies of two former girlfriends: Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a model and internet personality known to the jury under the pseudonym “Jane.”
Ms. Ventura, 38, testified for four days during the trial’s opening week. She stated that she felt compelled to participate in hundreds of “freak offs,” believing these encounters were essential for her to be intimate with Combs after engaging in sexual acts with male sex workers while he watched.
Jane testified for six days about the sexual performances she referred to as “hotel nights,” explaining that she was re-evaluating these experiences after undergoing therapy for the past three months. She alleged that she felt pressured into participating in these activities as recently as last August, motivated by her love for Combs.
Ms. Ventura was in a relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, while Jane had frequent contact with him from 2021 until his arrest.
The defense is expected to wrap up its presentation by the end of the day, without calling any witnesses.
Throughout the trial, the defense attorneys have built their case for acquittal through their questioning of witnesses, including several who testified reluctantly or only after being granted immunity from prosecution for any potential crimes they may have committed.
Closing arguments are tentatively scheduled for Thursday.
