The high-profile sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is nearing a crucial phase in Manhattan federal court. Over several weeks, prosecutors have presented a wealth of evidence, with recent proceedings marked by jurors viewing explicit video excerpts and compelling testimony from alleged victims and investigators.
Combs, who maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution, faces potentially life in prison if convicted.
Jury Shown ‘Freak Off’ Videos
A significant development in the trial involved prosecutors showing the jury portions of videos described as being from “freak-off” sessions. These explicit clips, recovered from a cellphone linked to Combs and provided by his former longtime girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, were shown for the first time this week.
The videos, dating back to October 2012, October 2014, and December 2014, offer jurors a direct, albeit filtered, view of the alleged encounters central to the prosecution’s case. To support the context of the October 2012 video, prosecutors presented an invoice for a stay at the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Manhattan on the same date, booked under Combs’ alias, “Frank Black.” Text messages between Cassie and a male escort (Sharay Hayes, also known as “The Punisher”) arranging a 3 a.m. meetup at the Trump hotel that night were also shown, alongside the escort’s fee confirmation.
Due to their graphic nature, the videos were viewed only by the jury, legal teams, and Combs, using headphones, while the footage was blocked from public view. Most jurors reportedly showed little reaction, though some appeared visibly affected. Prosecutors argue these videos, described as drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters, support their claim that Combs coerced women into participating. The defense, however, has attempted to counter this narrative by presenting text exchanges suggesting Cassie may have planned these encounters herself, implying consensual participation.
Key Testimony Details Alleged Abuse
Beyond the video evidence, recent testimony has included detailed accounts from alleged victims and agents summarizing extensive data.
A particularly impactful witness, identified only as “Jane,” an ex-girlfriend of Combs from 2021 to 2024, provided harrowing testimony. She described being pressured into repeated “freak offs” with multiple men over days, testifying she felt used and trapped. Her texts shown in court revealed her distress, stating she felt “disgusted with myself” and was tired of having sex “with strangers,” questioning if Combs only kept her around because he paid for her home.
Jane also testified about a violent incident in June 2024, detailing allegations that Combs kicked down doors, put her in a chokehold, punched and kicked her while she was on the ground, and dragged her by her hair. A video reportedly showed her with a bruised eye and welts after this alleged attack. Following this incident, she claimed Combs instructed her to take ecstasy and perform sex acts, mockingly asking “Is this coercion?”. Jane also alleged being given ecstasy regularly by Combs during “freak offs,” leading to brain fog.
Her testimony also touched upon her reaction to Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit against Combs in late 2023, describing her shock and feeling like three specific pages mirrored her own “sexual trauma” “word for word.” She confronted Combs, who she alleged later threatened to release sex tapes of her to her child’s father after she expressed suicidal thoughts. Despite these allegations, Jane testified she is not planning to sue Combs and that he is currently paying for her legal representation and rent.
Financial Records and Logistics Unveiled
Prosecutors have also used the testimony of Special Agent DeLeassa Penland to present logistical and financial evidence aimed at bolstering their case. Penland, a summary witness who reviewed collected data, presented texts, flight records, and hotel bills.
Evidence included records showing Combs’ businesses paying for flight and hotel reservations for escorts traveling interstate, such as arranging travel for an escort named Jules from Los Angeles to New York in 2009. This supports the transportation to engage in prostitution charges.
Financial records also revealed extensive damage bills at various hotels charged to Combs’ businesses, including $500 for damage at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $950 for deep cleaning at the Hermitage Hotel, and a substantial $46,786 bill for penthouse damage at the Intercontinental New York Times Square in October 2012. Prosecutors argue this demonstrates how Combs allegedly used his business empire to finance these activities, supporting the racketeering conspiracy charge.
Details surrounding the aftermath of the 2016 hotel incident where Combs was filmed assaulting Cassie were also presented, including texts from Combs to Cassie immediately following the assault stating he was “about to be arrested,” despite no police being called at that moment. Phone calls between Combs and the InterContinental security guard who later sold him the surveillance footage were also highlighted.
What’s Next in the Trial
The prosecution is reportedly nearing the end of its case and is expected to rest soon. Following this, Combs’ defense team will present their case, which they estimate will take several days. The relatively short timeframe for the defense presentation suggests that Combs is unlikely to testify in his own defense.
Procedural matters have also been notable, including the dismissal of a juror by Judge Arun Subramanian over concerns about the juror’s candor and inconsistent statements regarding his residency, despite defense objections concerning jury diversity.
As the trial moves towards its conclusion, the jury will weigh the prosecution’s evidence, including the explicit videos, detailed testimony, and financial records, against the defense’s arguments that any encounters were consensual and that the evidence does not prove criminal behavior.
