Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense attorney urged a jury on Friday to acquit the former music mogul in his sex trafficking trial, arguing that prosecutors are trying to criminalize his unconventional sexual preferences. During his closing argument in Manhattan federal court, lawyer Marc Agnifilo criticized the prosecution’s case, claiming it was a “fake trial” that misrepresented Combs’ personal life to frame him as part of a criminal conspiracy related to his business dealings.
Agnifilo contended that the prosecution has improperly used aspects of Combs’ private life as evidence, stating, “They take the baby oil and the Astroglide and make it the evidence in this case, because there’s nothing wrong with his businesses.” He asserted that the real “crime scene” was Combs’ personal life.
Facing serious charges, Combs, who has been influential in advancing hip-hop culture, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution. If found guilty on all counts, the founder of Bad Boy Records could be sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison or even face life imprisonment.
Agnifilo also posed rhetorical questions during his closing, suggesting inconsistencies in the testimonies provided by women who claimed they were sex trafficked by Combs. He asked, “If we’re at ‘Freak Off’ number 75, and 75 of them have been consensual, what would have to happen at Freak Off 76 to say, now it’s sex trafficking?” This reference was to Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura and his own terminology for drug-influenced sexual gatherings with male escorts.
Earlier in the trial, a U.S. prosecutor characterized Combs as a leader of a criminal enterprise, alleging he utilized “violence and fear” to facilitate sex trafficking involving his former partners. Prosecutor Christy Slavik stated, “The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” asserting that Combs believed his fame and wealth placed him above the law.
The defense team acknowledged that Combs had displayed violent behavior in some relationships but maintained that the actions described by the prosecution did not constitute sex trafficking, arguing they were consensual. Testimonies included accounts from former girlfriends about participating in extended, drug-fueled sex parties, referred to as “Freak Offs,” with male sex workers while Combs observed and sometimes filmed the encounters. Notably, Combs chose not to testify during the trial.
The jury was shown surveillance footage of Combs assaulting one of the women in a hotel hallway, and they heard from Combs’ staff about their roles in setting up the parties and procuring drugs. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations either late Friday or on Monday, with a unanimous verdict required for conviction.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/news-today/sean-diddy-combs-lawyer-says-prosecutors-trying-to-criminalize-his-private-sex-life-10093175/
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Publish Date: 2025-06-28 01:56:00
