The criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs began on May 12, 2025, with prosecutors laying out their case against the famous hip-hop mogul. They accused him of running a criminal enterprise for over 20 years, using his status and influence to carry out illegal activities, including s£x trafficking.

This trial is highly publicized due to Diddy’s fame and the seriousness of the allegations. Prosecutors argue that, behind his successful music career, Diddy was secretly involved in a series of crimes involving multiple women over many years.

During the trial, prosecutors revealed that three women would testify about their experiences with Diddy, including allegations of sexual coercion and misconduct. One of these women is Cassie Ventura, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, who is expected to provide key testimony.

The other two women have chosen to remain anonymous for now but are expected to share their stories about being manipulated or forced into sexual situations by Diddy.

Their testimony will be central to the prosecution’s case as they try to prove that Diddy engaged in sex trafficking and other criminal activities for decades.

Diddy, 55, was arrested in September 2024, and the charges against him are significant. He faces one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of s£x trafficking, and two counts of transporting people for prostitution. If convicted on these charges, he could face life in prison. The case has shocked many, given Diddy’s high profile and long-standing position in the entertainment industry.

Before the trial began, a jury of 12 Manhattan residents was chosen to hear the case. As the trial opened, Diddy’s family, including his mother Janice Combs and his children, were present in the courtroom to support him. This added a personal touch to the proceedings as emotions were already high at the start of the trial.

In the opening statements, prosecutor Emily A. Johnson painted a disturbing picture of Diddy’s alleged behavior. She claimed that Diddy used violence, drugs, and intimidation to coerce women into sex. The prosecution also argued that Diddy’s inner circle helped him cover up his actions, and that company resources were used to satisfy his sexual demands.

Johnson described how Diddy considered himself a “king” and expected to be treated as such, with others around him following his demands without question. The prosecution’s narrative was one of power and control, with Diddy allegedly using his position to commit crime after crime for

The prosecution has named three key witnesses to testify against Diddy. One of them is Cassie Ventura, who will speak about her time with Diddy and the alleged abuses she suffered. The other two women, whose identities remain protected for now, will share their experiences of being sexually assaulted or coerced by Diddy.

In addition to the testimonies, the prosecution has also brought forward video evidence from a 2016 incident in a Los Angeles hotel that allegedly shows Diddy assaulting Ventura. This footage was released to the public last year, and parts of it will be shown to the jury during the trial.

Diddy’s defense lawyer, Teny Geragos, quickly responded to the charges, calling the case “not complicated” but simply an issue of Diddy’s private relationships. Geragos argued that what prosecutors are labeling as sex trafficking was, in fact, consensual sexual behavior. She stated that Diddy and the women in his life participated in a “swingers lifestyle,” and that these were private, consensual relationships.

Geragos emphasized that the women were not coerced into anything and were fully capable of making their own choices. She also argued that the case wasn’t about criminal behavior but rather about Diddy’s personal life, which she claimed should not be judged in court.

Regarding the 2016 hotel footage, Geragos conceded that it showed “overwhelming evidence of domestic violence,” but she insisted that the video did not prove sex trafficking. She claimed the dispute shown in the video was about a phone, not about Diddy forcing Ventura into sex. Geragos’s defense suggests that the personal issues between Diddy and Ventura were merely domestic, not criminal.

The first witness called to the stand was Israel Florez, a police officer who was working as a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016. Florez testified that he was called to the hotel after reports of a “woman in distress” on the sixth floor. When he arrived, he found Cassie Ventura hiding in a corner while Diddy sat nearby, looking angry. Florez said Diddy tried to bribe him, offering him money and urging him to stay quiet about the incident.

The jury was shown surveillance footage from the hotel, which depicted Diddy hitting, kicking, and dragging Ventura down a hallway. The video also showed broken items and damage to the hotel room. Additional footage, taken from Florez’s personal phone, was also played in court to show the extent of the assaults.

Florez explained that he didn’t call the police at the time because Ventura did not want to cooperate and kept saying she just wanted to leave. Florez said that Ventura seemed reluctant to discuss what had happened, making him feel unsure about what action to take.

The second witness was Daniel Phillip, a former manager of a male strip show. Phillip testified that in 2012, Cassie paid him to have sex with her in front of Diddy, which she described as a special request from her partner. Phillip claimed that this encounter was just the beginning, and he continued to have sex with Cassie several times over the next few years, both in hotels and at Diddy and Cassie’s homes.

During the first encounter, Phillip said Diddy wore a white robe and a bandana to conceal his identity. However, Phillip recognized Diddy’s voice, despite his efforts to disguise himself. Diddy allegedly claimed he worked in the import/export business, although Phillip could easily tell it was Diddy based on his voice.

Phillip also recounted several incidents where Diddy was violent toward Cassie, throwing objects and even hitting her. Phillip said that during one of these incidents, he feared for his life and didn’t want to go to the police, believing that Diddy’s power and influence would make it dangerous for him to do so.

Phillip testified that he tried to warn Cassie about the danger of staying with Diddy. He believed that Diddy’s violent behavior would eventually harm her more seriously, and he encouraged her to leave him, though she chose to succeed.

As the testimony became more graphic and explicit, Diddy’s daughters were visibly upset and left the courtroom. His sons, however, remained seated and were observed passing notes among themselves. The emotional tension in the courtroom was palpable as the trial unfold.

Diddy’s legal team raised concerns over jury selection, claiming that seven Black potential jurors had been excluded. They argued that this was unfair and biased. However, the judge ruled that the jury was diverse and allowed the trial to proceed.

Federal prosecutors allege that Diddy used his powerful entertainment empire to run a “criminal enterprise” for several decades. They claim that he and his associates engaged in a wide range of criminal activities, including sex trafficking, forced labor, bribery, and obstruction of justice.

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing. He rejected a plea deal earlier this month and has been in custody since his arrest. If convicted, Diddy could face life in prison, making this trial a critical moment in his life and career.