Sean Combs trial updates: Trial resumes with final prosecution witnesses

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Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025 6:19PM GMT
 DIDDY ON TRIAL: Prosecutors get ready to rest their case

DIDDY ON TRIAL: Prosecutors get ready to rest their case

NEW YORK -- Prosecutors are calling their final witnesses after presenting evidence for the last six weeks in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. They are expected rest their case on Monday (6/23).

Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all counts. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison.

Combs' lawyers argue that all the sexual acts were consensual, and that, although he could be violent, he never veered into sex trafficking and racketeering.

This story may contain accounts and descriptions of actual or alleged events that some readers may find disturbing.

"Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy," a new podcast from "20/20" and ABC Audio, traces how the whispers of abuse came to light and led to the downfall of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was once among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip hop. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.

(ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

ABCNews
Jun 20, 2025, 11:06 AM GMT

Trial to resume on Friday

The racketeering and sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs will resume Friday after an unexpected adjournment when a juror began experiencing symptoms of vertigo.

This is an abbreviated court day. A juror has a graduation to attend in the afternoon, so the court will recess at 1 p.m.

Federal prosecutors have two remaining witnesses before resting their case against Combs. Those witnesses include former Syracuse University basketball player Brendan Paul, Combs' former assistant.

Paul was named in a civil lawsuit by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones that claimed Paul worked as a "mule" for Combs, procuring and distributing drugs and guns. He was charged with felony cocaine possession in Florida. The charges were later dropped as part of a diversion program. Paul has been given immunity in exchange for his testimony.

At some point, Judge Arun Subramanian will ask Combs whether he plans to testify in his defense. His attorneys have not indicated either way.

The defense case is expected to last anywhere from two-to-five days with plans to call two employees of Combs' business to testify. A forensic psychiatrist is also expected to testify as an expert witness for the defense.

ABCNews
Jun 18, 2025, 1:46 PM GMT

Court adjourned until Friday due to sick juror

The Sean Diddy Combs trial has been adjourned until Friday because of a sick juror.

"We have a sick juror," Judge Arun Subramanian announced after he took the bench Wednesday.

The juror has "vertigo symptoms," the judge said. "I don't think there's any way for us to proceed today."

Court was already scheduled to be off on Thursday for the Juneteenth holiday.

ABCNews
Jun 17, 2025, 8:57 PM GMT

Judge Subramanian discusses juror issue

Judge Arun Subramanian closed the courtroom to discuss a potential issue with one of the jurors. He did not retake the bench so the issue for now remains unresolved, at least publicly.

ABCNews
Jun 17, 2025, 8:03 PM GMT

Jury sees more messages between Combs and Ventura before court adjourns

The defense used the cross-examination of U.S. Attorney's Office Special Agent DeLeassa Penland to present messages in which they contend former Sean Combs girlfriend Cassie Ventura appears enthusiastic about "freak-off" sexual encounters or entices Combs with suggestive talk.

"I bought the sexiest outfits for later," one message from October 2012 said. "I've been really horny," a message a few months later said.

In another message, from December 2012, Ventura promised "I'll be the nastiest freak b****."

Ventura once texted Combs about a role-play game, according to the messages. "The game starts at 10 p.m. no texting after this," the message said. "I am not Cassie and you are not Sean."

The defense has argued that Ventura's participation in the sexual encounters that Combs desired was consensual and not coerced, as the prosecution claims. Ventura previously testified that she was an unwilling participant and was texting Combs what she knew he wanted to hear.

On re-direct examination, prosecutor Emily Johnson returned to the caught-on-camera attack on Ventura by Combs at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, showing the jury a message Combs sent to Ventura five days later, which read "Baby, I can't say it enough. I AM SO SORRY!!!!!"

The jury saw Ventura's response. "I still have crazy bruising from Friday," her reply message said. "Nothing good comes out of ("freak-offs") anymore. You treat me like Ike Turner."

Penland is off the witness stand.

Court has adjourned for the day. Testimony will resume Wednesday with former Combs associate Brendan Paul scheduled to take the stand.