Jury deliberations are set to begin today in the high-stakes federal sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, following nearly two months of emotional testimony, witness accounts, and legal arguments. Closing statements wrapped up late last week, bringing the high-profile case one step closer to a verdict.
Rolling Stone’s Senior Reporter Nancy Dillon confirmed the proceedings via social media this morning, sharing that jury instructions would be read by the judge before deliberations commence. With Diddy facing life in prison if convicted, the jury’s decision carries massive legal and cultural implications.
“This is a case where the legal burden intersects with public scrutiny and highly emotional testimony,” attorney and sexual abuse survivor advocate Sarah Klein told Fox News Digital. “Deliberations often become a battleground of credibility assessments, legal definitions, and moral weight, especially when a high-profile defendant is involved.”
During his final arguments on Friday, Diddy’s co-lead counsel, Marc Agnifilo, conceded that his client had engaged in abusive behavior toward two women, including singer Cassie and another woman referred to only as “Jane.” However, he firmly denied that Diddy was involved in sex trafficking, kidnapping, or illegal drug distribution; all of which are central to the prosecution’s case.
In a surprising rhetorical shift, Agnifilo claimed that “this case is about love,” referencing that the word “love” appeared more than 800 times during the trial. He attempted to shift focus onto Cassie, claiming she is not a victim but a beneficiary, pointing to the $30 million she reportedly received through a combination of a lawsuit settlement and a deal with the InterContinental Hotel, the location of a widely circulated video showing Diddy assaulting her.
As the jury now begins its deliberation behind closed doors, the nation waits to see the outcome of one of the most high-profile legal battles in recent entertainment history.