(NewsNation) —Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team gave closing arguments Friday in a final bid to persuade the jury against convicting him of multiple sex crimes.
After calling no witnesses and wrapping their case in one day, attorneys for Combs will have four hours to address the jury.
Much of their argument thus far has rested on the theory that all of Combs’ accusers were consenting adults and that no one was forced to participate in sexual events, dubbed “Freak Offs” or “hotel nights.”
The defense relied largely on text messages between Combs and his ex-partners to show the women were willing and even arranged for the sexual encounters at times.
Diddy defense argues prosecutors ‘badly exaggerated’
Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for the fallen hip-hop mogul, argued on Friday that Combs is a self-made black entrepreneur and family man. The lawyer diminished the severity of the charges against his client and called it a “fake trial.” He pointed to six of Combs’ seven children being in attendance for the father.
The lawyer mocked the federal agents’ raid of Combs’ home, discovering the lubricant, Astroglide, baby oil and five Valium pills, telling the court, “America is safer now.”
Agnifilo said the accusers who have filed lawsuits against Combs are financially motivated.
“This isn’t about crime. It’s about money. This is about money,” Combs’ attorney stated.
Diddy defense calls Cassie the ‘winner’ of the trial
Agnifilo noted that it was Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventuira’s lawsuit, that sparked the federal investigation in 2023. She settled the lawsuit for $20 million.
“If you had to pick a winner in this whole thing, it’s hard not to pick Cassie,” Agnifilo said.
Agnifilo also stated that one of the witnesses who testified on the pseudonym “Jane Doe” still lives in a home paid for by the entertainment entrepreneur.
The lawyer said, “I don’t know what Jane is doing today. But she’s doing it in a house he’s paying for.”
“Jane,” who is Combs’ ex-girlfriend, hugged defense attorneys after her testimony for the prosecution.
He blasted the prosecution’s argument that the “Freak Offs” and “hotel nights that Jane and Ventura described in their testimony were entangled in hundreds of racketeering acts.
If that’s so, he said, “we need a bigger role of crime scene tape.”
Agnifilo told the jury that Combs and Ventura were in love, and that while Combs was violent, he argued that doesn’t justify racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
“If racketeering conspiracy had an opposite, it would be their relationship … they were deeply in love with each other,” Agnifilo said.
Agnifilo said this is a case about “love.” The word love was used 881 times during the proceedings. He said as much as it is about love, it is also about jealously and infidelity.
“If your partner likes anal… and you don’t like anal… but you really love your partner… Your likes become their likes. That’s actually what love is,” the lawyer said.
Combs’ attorney said that Ventura “played” the record label executive and Kid Cudi speculating that if her estranged partner did not find out about her new romance she would not have disclosed it.
Agnifilo said Ventura was “keeping it gangster” by having a burner phone, and while she may have feared Combs she continued to lie to him.
The attorney said they take ownership of the domestic violence that occurred throughout Combs’ relationships with women.
Combs is facing a possible life sentence after being charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty.
When will the jury deliberate in the Diddy trial?
After the defense team’s closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey is expected to give a rebuttal before the judge instructs the jury on deliberation.
The jury is not expected to begin deliberations until Monday.
During the trial, the defense argued that Combs was involved in domestic violence but committed no federal crimes. They built their case for acquittal through lengthy cross-examinations of most of the government’s 34 witnesses.
Combs’ lawyers said there was no racketeering conspiracy because none of his employees agreed to be part of any conspiracy.
Numerous former assistants testified during the trial; however, Combs’ chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, did not testify.
Combs spared no expense in his defense and even included an appellate lawyer in his team.
On Thursday, prosecutors gave their closing arguments by painting Combs’ criminal enterprise as his “kingdom.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told the jury that Combs was someone “who doesn’t take no for an answer” and “counted on silence and shame” to enable his abusive behavior.
She pointed to his “small army” of assistants and bodyguards — some of whom were called to the witness stand earlier in the trial — to help him harm women and help cover it up.
“When someone commits a crime as part of a group, they’re more powerful and dangerous,” Slavik said. “The defendant was a powerful man, but he became more powerful and dangerous because of his inner circle, his businesses — the enterprise.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.