Sean “Diddy” Combs is on trial in Manhattan. He faces serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The prosecution has presented over five weeks of testimony and evidence from about 36 witnesses.
They say Combs pressured former partners into drug-fueled, multi-day sexual parties called “freak offs.” Prosecutors also claim he ran a criminal enterprise that forced women into sexual acts.
A key witness, a former girlfriend called “Jane,” said Combs pressured her to have sex with many men without protection. She described having severe health problems and a difficult relationship with Combs from 2021 until just before his arrest in September 2024.
Combs pleads not guilty. His defense says all sexual encounters were consensual. They admit he was abusive but say this is not the same as sex trafficking. The defense wants the court to treat domestic abuse separately from the trafficking and racketeering charges. They describe Combs as a volatile partner, but not a trafficker.
A major piece of evidence is video footage from 2016. It shows Combs assaulting an ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors say this video supports their claims of coercion and abuse. The defense says the video is distorted.
The trial has drawn a lot of media attention. Both traditional news reporters and social media influencers cover the case. The prosecution may soon finish its evidence, after which the defense will start its case.
