Sean “Diddy” Combs’ criminal trial is entering its final stretch after federal prosecutors in New York rested their case against the hip-hop mogul. On Tuesday, the government concluded its presentation after more than a month of courtroom proceedings, during which 34 witnesses took the stand, including notable names like Cassie Ventura and Kid Cudi.
As soon as the jury stepped out for lunch, Diddy’s legal team launched an effort to have the charges dismissed entirely. They argued that prosecutors failed to meet the necessary standard to move the case forward and insisted there isn’t enough evidence to justify sending the charges to the jury. Diddy is facing five serious accusations: racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts related to the transportation of individuals for the purpose of prostitution. He maintains his innocence.
Despite the weight of the charges and the length of the trial, Diddy’s defense team has opted not to present any witnesses in his defense—a move that legal analysts say is strategic. According to criminal defense attorney Mitchell Epner, who once served as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey, “It’s more likely than not at a trial that the defense is not going to call any witnesses.”
Epner added that defense attorneys often rely on their cross-examination of prosecution witnesses to poke holes in the case. “So what you may hear the defense counsel say during closing arguments is that the prosecution’s witnesses ‘made our case. We didn’t have a burden to prove our case, and the cross-examination of their witnesses makes it clear that we’re right and they’re wrong.’”
The judge will now consider the motion to dismiss. If denied, the trial will head into closing arguments and the jury will begin deliberations.
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