The federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs commenced this week in Manhattan, drawing significant public and media attention. Combs faces multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation for purposes of prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.
Day 1: Opening Statements and Initial Testimonies
On Monday, May 12, 2025, the trial began with opening statements from both the prosecution and defense. Prosecutors outlined allegations that Combs orchestrated a pattern of abuse and exploitation over several years, involving coercive sexual encounters and physical violence. The defense acknowledged Combs’s past domestic abuse but argued that all sexual activities were consensual and that the charges do not meet the legal definitions of sex trafficking or racketeering.
The prosecution’s first witness, Daniel Phillip, a male escort, testified that he was paid by Combs to engage in sexual acts with Combs’s then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, while Combs watched. Phillip described these encounters as “freak-offs,” involving drugs and lasting several days. He also recounted witnessing Combs physically assault Ventura during these events. During cross-examination, the defense questioned Phillip’s credibility and motives.
Day 2: Cassie Ventura’s Emotional Testimony
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Cassie Ventura took the stand, providing harrowing testimony about her decade-long relationship with Combs. She detailed instances of physical abuse, including being dragged, kicked, and stomped on by Combs. Ventura also described being coerced into participating in “freak-offs,” where she was forced to engage in sexual acts with male escorts under Combs’s direction. She testified that Combs controlled many aspects of her life, from her personal appearance to her music career, and that she often complied out of fear.
Ventura’s testimony is central to the prosecution’s case, which alleges that Combs operated a long-running criminal scheme involving sex trafficking, kidnapping, and related offenses. The court is deliberating on whether explicit video evidence can be admitted.
Looking Ahead
The trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with more witnesses anticipated to testify. If convicted, Combs could face life in prison. The case has sparked widespread discussion about abuse and accountability within the entertainment industry.
