The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is nearing its end, and the rapper took a moment to thank Judge Arun Subramanian for his hard work.
Diddy, 55, stood up in court on Tuesday, June 24, to deliver a message to Subramanian before the day’s proceedings ended. “I wanted to tell you thank you,” the disgraced mogul said. “You’re doing an awesome job.”
The Sean John founder then confirmed that he had “thoroughly” spoken to his lawyers about his decision not to testify on his own behalf. “That is my decision, your honor,” Diddy said. “That is solely my decision.”
The prosecution rested its case against Diddy on Tuesday. He is facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied all of the allegations against him.
Diddy’s trial began on May 5 with jury selection and has lasted more than six weeks. In that period, the government called 34 witnesses, including Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie, rapper Kid Cudi and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard.
After the prosecution rested its case, the defense requested an acquittal for Diddy, arguing that the government did not sufficiently prove the charges.
“Domestic violence is not sex trafficking, and the evidence didn’t show [Cassie Ventura] was engaged in any sexual activity because of violence,” Diddy’s attorney Alexandra Shapiro argued.
Shapiro went on to claim that the government failed to prove the racketeering charge, which was based on the idea that Diddy used his employees to help him commit crimes. According to Shapiro, those employees “didn’t know much, if anything, about what went on between Mr. Combs and his girlfriends in those hotel rooms, other than they used a lot of baby oil and Astroglide … and perhaps used drugs.”
The defense also addressed the allegation that Diddy was responsible for firebombing Cudi’s car, telling the court, “There’s no evidence that Mr. Combs was involved in that incident.”
Before a break, the prosecution told the judge that they can argue against the defense’s dismissals.
Closing arguments in the case are set to begin later this week, and jury deliberation could begin as early as Friday, June 27.
If convicted on even one charge, Diddy would face a lengthy prison sentence. The statutory minimum sentence for sex trafficking is 15 years, while transportation to engage in prostitution has a maximum sentence of 10 years. If convicted on the racketeering charge, he faces up to life in prison.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
