Accessibility links
Sean Combs trial A collection of NPR's coverage of the trial of Sean Combs.
Special Series

Sean Combs trial

Sean Combs reacts as the jury foreperson and courtroom deputy read verdicts of the five counts against him during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City in this courtroom sketch. The music mogul was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

Sean Combs reacts as the jury foreperson and courtroom deputy read verdicts of the five counts against him during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City in this courtroom sketch. The music mogul was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Jane Rosenberg/Reuters hide caption

toggle caption
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Sean Combs found guilty on two counts, but acquitted on most serious charges

The music mogul was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution, but the jury found him not guilty on three counts related to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.

Sean Combs found guilty on two counts, but acquitted on most serious charges

Listen · 3:58
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5446128/nx-s1-5514218-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Sean Combs and his attorney Marc Agnifilo discuss with other defense lawyers on how to respond to a new note sent by jurors, during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on Tuesday in this courtroom sketch.

Sean Combs and his attorney Marc Agnifilo discuss with other defense lawyers on how to respond to a new note sent by jurors, during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on Tuesday in this courtroom sketch. Jane Rosenberg/Reuters hide caption

toggle caption
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Combs jury says it has verdicts on four counts, will keep deliberating on final count

After 12 hours of deliberation, the jury told Judge Arun Subramanian that it had decided on counts related to sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution but not yet on racketeering.

In a courtroom sketch, Sean Combs (left) listens alongside his lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos as Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik (center) makes her closing arguments as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian presides during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City.

In a courtroom sketch, Sean Combs (left) listens alongside his lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos as Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik (center) makes her closing arguments as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian presides during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City. Jane Rosenberg/Reuters hide caption

toggle caption
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Prosecution says Combs used 'violence, power and fear' to control victims

On Thursday, the government delivered closing arguments in the sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs. The rapper and executive is accused of coercing multiple women into sexual encounters with male escorts.

Prosecution says Combs used ‘violence, power and fear’ to control victims

Listen · 2:31
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5447442/nx-s1-5507957-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
LAS VEGAS, NV - May 15: 2022 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS -- Pictured: Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives to the 2022 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022.

LAS VEGAS, NV - May 15: 2022 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS -- Pictured: Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives to the 2022 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022. Christopher Polk/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Christopher Polk/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Sean Combs' defense team doesn't call any witnesses, rests in under 30 minutes

Combs did not take the stand as the case for his defense concluded. In lieu of witnesses, his team built on previous cross-examination to claim that his relationships were consensual and not coercive.

Sean Combs in Beverly Hills in 2018. The music mogul has been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty.

Sean Combs (seen here Beverly Hills in 2018) has been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Sean Combs' defense is about to get its day in court. Here's what to expect

For weeks, federal prosecutors have laid out their case against Sean Combs in a Manhattan courtroom. His attorneys should begin presenting their defense on Tuesday. They aren't expected to take long.

Sean Combs' defense attorneys get their day in court

Listen · 3:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5442549/nx-s1-5502465-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
A witness, identified as "Jane" and with her face obscured in courtroom sketches to protect her identity, testified this week that over the course of their three-year relationship, Sean Combs (seen here at left) pressured her to have sex with male escorts while he watched. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include sex trafficking.

A witness, identified as "Jane" and with her face obscured in courtroom sketches to protect her identity, testified this week that over the course of their three-year relationship, Sean Combs (seen here at left) pressured her to have sex with male escorts while he watched. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include sex trafficking. Jane Rosenberg/Reuters hide caption

toggle caption
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Sean Combs' ex describes relationship marked by 'manipulation': 'I couldn't say no'

The woman who dated Combs until his arrest described the relationship in complex terms — traumatic but sometimes loving — and seemed to be working through her feelings about it on the witness stand.

Sean Combs, shown speaking in Washington, D.C. in 2023, faces federal criminal charges that include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty.

Sean Combs, shown speaking in Washington, D.C., in 2023, faces federal criminal charges that include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty. Jemal Countess/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Witness testifies about Sean Combs' 'hotel nights': 'I was repulsed'

The woman, who dated Combs, testified that she repeatedly told him she did not want to participate in the drug-fueled encounters with escorts he requested, but felt pressured to comply.

Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Reel To Reel: Cant Stop Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story at the GRAMMY Museum on October 4, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.

Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Reel To Reel: Cant Stop Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story at the GRAMMY Museum on Oct. 4, 2017, in Los Angeles. Rebecca Sapp/WireImage for The Recording Academy hide caption

toggle caption
Rebecca Sapp/WireImage for The Recording Academy

Second witness accuses Sean Combs of trafficking, recalls drug-fueled 'hotel nights'

On Thursday, a woman identified as "Jane" testified that Combs, who she says she dated until he was arrested in 2024, the hip-hop mogul pressured her into sexual encounters with male escorts.

Capricorn Clark, a former employee of Sean Combs, leaves the Manhattan courthouse where she testified that Combs repeatedly threatened her and kidnapped her in during a series of events in 2011 that also involved Kid Cudi and Cassie Ventura, both of whom have also testified.

Capricorn Clark, a former employee of Sean Combs, leaves the Manhattan courthouse where she testified that Combs repeatedly threatened her and kidnapped her in during a series of events in 2011 that also involved Kid Cudi and Cassie Ventura, both of whom have also testified. Adam Gray/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Adam Gray/Getty Images

Former Sean Combs employee Capricorn Clark says he kidnapped her

On Tuesday, Clark, who worked for Combs for more than a decade, accused him of kidnapping her during a chaotic 2011 episode involving his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and the rapper Kid Cudi.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Sean 'Diddy' Combs aka Puff Daddy (L) and Cassie attend the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Sean 'Diddy' Combs aka Puff Daddy (L) and Cassie attend the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com hide caption

toggle caption
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com

Sean Combs trial: Cassie Ventura's mother and former best friend testify

Regina Ventura and Kerry Morgan testified in the federal trial of Sean Combs this week as the prosecution continues to build a case around the mogul's relationship with singer Cassie Ventura.

Cassie Ventura (left) and Sean Combs at the Met Gala in New York City in 2017. Ventura testified for the prosecution in the criminal trial of Combs, who is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transporting to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Cassie Ventura (left) and Sean Combs at the Met Gala in New York City in 2017. Ventura testified for the prosecution in the criminal trial of Combs, who is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transporting to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Sean Combs trial: Cassie concludes four days of testimony

On Friday, Sean Combs' defense lawyers questioned Cassie Ventura about how much of the former couple's activities she willingly participated in. "I had to fight my way out," she said.

Diddy performs onstage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

Diddy performs onstage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Diddy's lawyers plan to argue "mutual violence." Will that strategy work?

"Mutual abuse" is a term you may have heard in celebrity abuse trials - here's how to make sense of it.

Diddy, Cassie, & the anatomy of "mutual abuse"

Listen · 16:04
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5395962/1269319511" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Cassie Ventura chats with VJ Stephen Colletti during a July 2006 appearance on MTV's Total Request Live.

Cassie Ventura chats with VJ Stephen Colletti during a July 2006 appearance on MTV's Total Request Live. Evan Agostini/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Who is Cassie? The stalled music career of the Sean Combs trial's star witness

The mogul's former protégé and girlfriend emerged as a promising pop artist in 2006. On the stand this week, she said her relationship with Combs and his label quickly became more about control.

Who is Cassie Ventura?

Listen · 4:11
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5397988/nx-s1-5459623-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org