The defense has rested in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial after delivering a very short presentation with no witnesses, Before his lawyers began their blink-and-you-miss-it case today, Combs himself told the judge in the Manhattan courtroom that he woiuld not be taking the stand.
“That is my decision, your honor,” the 55-year old Baby Boy Records founder replied to Judge Arun Subramanian Tuesday afternoon local time. Adding that he had discussed the matter “thoroughly” with hos 10-lawyer deep defense team, the sweater wearing, white haired Combs also took the opportunity to compliment the federal judge overseeing the criminal trial that could see Diddy in jail for the rest of his life if found guilty.
“I’m doing great, your honor,” Combs stated to an amused Subramanian not long after the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York rested its case after 30 days of testimony. “I’ve been wanting to tell you thank you, you’re doing an excellent job.”
Arrested in September and in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center ever since, Combs is up against federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and more.
After a few administrative moves, defense lawyer Anna Estevao read out the various exhibits to be entered into evidence and wrapped things up at 12:35 p.m. PT
Combs’ decision to not testify and the lean defense presentation is strikingly similar to what Harvey Weinstein and his team did earlier this month in the much-accused Oscar winning producer’s rape retrial just around the corner from the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse housed Diddy trial in New York state court. After weeks of will-he, won’t-he, the ailing 73-year old and imprisoned Weinstein and his defense made it official the defendant would sit this one out – -like he did in his now dismissed 2020 NYC sex crimes trial and his 2022 LA sex crimes trial (which Weinstein is still under a 16-year sentence for.
“He wanted to testify, and we respect that instinct,” Weinstein’s longtime spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said to Deadline on June 2 after the no testimony decision was made public. “At this stage, doing so would subject him to scrutiny far beyond the scope of the current charges — raising issues that could unfairly damage his credibility. Our position is one of caution, not evasion.”
Today, as the partially found guilty again Weinstein awaits a July 2 hearing on when a new retrial will start the canny Engelmayer offered a surprising POV on Combs’ decision to also not testify.
“In a case where so many witnesses took the stand to share deeply personal and often harrowing stories, the absence of someone as prominent as Diddy is bound to be noticed by the jury,” Engelmayer said to Deadline Tuesday. “While intellectually we know the burden of proof rests solely with the prosecution, that doesn’t erase the jury’s natural curiosity—or even expectation—to hear directly from the defendant, especially when that defendant is a public figure known for commanding attention,” the PR vet added. “When someone has made a career out of being front and center, jurors are left wondering: why not now, in the moment that matters most?”
Next to follow in Combs’ criminal case will be closing arguments to the jury, which are expected to start on June 26 and go for at least a day. If everything goes to plan at this point and Donald Trump doesn’t waddle in with a pardon, Judge Subramanian will miraculously be keeping his at promise to the jurors to have the case concluded before the July 4 holiday. Even if the jury goes behind closed doors first thing next week, despite the media deadlines swirling around the high-profile case, there is no time limit on how long their deliberations to reach a verdict will take.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: The media are seen outside the federal courthouse ahead of the Sean Combs trial in lower Manhattan on June 18, 2025 in New York City. The prosecutors in the Sean Diddy Combs sex trafficking and racketeering federal trial are expected to rest their case at the end of the week. Earlier, the defense pushed for a mistrial as it was discovered that a juror provided misleading information. Combs faces life in prison if convicted on all charges which also include threats, violence and drug fueled “freak offs” sex parties. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Also battling dozens and dozens of civil suits of abuse and assault from accessors in a number of states, including a new trio of cases filed in LA just this week, the All About the Benjamins performer as been consistent in insisting he’s innocent in all cases, criminal and civil, and all claims.
It should be added, Combs quickly paid out $20 million to ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in November 2023 to settle her explosive legal action of a decade of beatings, filmed drug-fueled “freak-offs” with male escorts, manipulation and a 2018 rape. In their May 12 opening statement, knowing that a very pregnant Ventura would be one of the first witnesses the jury would hear from, the defense actually took the offensive and admitted Combs was a swinger, a drug user, a domestic abuser and hard to like, attorney Teny Geragoes emphasized her client hasn’t been charged with any of that.
Over the past few weeks, with Combs in attendance every day, the NYC jury of eight men (one being an alternate who replaced a dismissed juror on June 16) and four women have heard from Ventura, various former members of Combs’ inner circle and musical collaborators, and they have watched videos and seen photos of the “freak-offs” as well as evidence of the alleged abuse. Additionally, the panel has listened to testimony from some of the hired male escorts, hotel security staff, a sprinkle of experts, other alleged victims “Jane” and “Mia,” rap superstar Kid Cudi and law enforcement.
Of the total of 34 witness the prosecution called, their last one, who exited the stand earlier Tuesday, was Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Joseph Cerciello.
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