Timeline of the charges and allegations against Sean Combs

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13 May 2025: Cassie takes the stand with emotional testimony

Reuters/Jane Rosenberg In a courtroom sktech, Sean "Diddy" Combs watches as his former girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura reacts during testimony to prosecutor Emily JohnsonReuters/Jane Rosenberg

The R&B star took the witness stand for four days, describing in emotional detail the years of beatings and drug-fuelled sex encounters with prostitutes that she allegedly endured at the hands of Combs, who she dated for more than a decade.

The relationship, although initially loving, quickly became coercive she said, and violence followed.

Ms Ventura testified that the hotel hallway incident took place after she tried to leave a “freak-off”.

She said that while she initially participated in these sexual encounters with escorts to please him, they eventually left her feeling “worthless”.

She estimated these happened “hundreds” of times throughout their relationship and would sometimes last as long as four days.

The strain would force her to take drugs to stay awake and cause physical injuries and urinary tract infections.

The trauma, she testified, pushed her to the brink of suicide.

In response, Combs’ defence team confronted Ms Ventura with text messages in an attempt to show she had been a willing participant.

The singer pushed back, saying she felt she had no choice but to comply.

22 May 2025: Kid Cudi testifies over break-in and torched Porsche

Getty Images Rapper Kid Cudi in a leather jacket walking outside of a building as people with phones and cameras photograph him in the background. Getty Images

US rapper Kid Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, took the stand to testify about Combs’ jealous rage when the mogul found out he was dating Cassie Ventura.

Mr Mescudi alleged that Combs broke into his home and bombed his Porsche with a Molotov cocktail.

The star said he rushed home following a call from his dogsitter to find a hole cut in the car’s roof, with an explosive inside. Images of damage were shown to the court.

In response Combs’ lawyer emphasised that there was no evidence of his client’s involvement in either incident.

6 June 2025: Diddy’s girlfriend ‘Jane’ testifies to abuse

A witness using the pseudonym “Jane”, who dated Combs from 2021 until his arrest in September 2024, took to the stand for the first of six days.

Her testimony mirrored that of Ms Ventura by describing how she felt pressured into sexual acts with male escorts while Combs watched.

Jane said Combs continued to insist she participate in “hotel nights” despite her making clear the emotional distress they caused.

She added these acts left her with physical pain and infections, but she tried to hide this to avoid appearing negative.

Jane also testified that Combs used a network of employees to procure drugs for their encounters with escorts – allegations used by the prosecution as evidence of racketeering.

In response, Combs’ lawyers said she had stayed of her own free will.

According to the New York Times, when asked under cross-examination about messages that appeared to show enthusiasm for the nights, she said: “I resent him for knowing how much I loved him and knowing I couldn’t say no to him.”

24-27 June 2025: Fiery closing arguments

As the case reached its conclusion, legal counsels for both sides presented highly-charged closing arguments.

Prosecutor Christy Slavik told jurors Combs abused his power and business empire to traffic women and commit other crimes.

The prosecution pointed to patterns of coercion and abuse, from the testimonies of Ms Ventura and Jane.

They argued Combs ran a “criminal enterprise” to facilitate his sexual abuse of women and hide his conduct, including allegedly setting fire to Kid Cudi’s Porsche.

But the defence said the sex trafficking and racketeering case against Combs “badly, badly exaggerated”.

His lawyer Marc Agnifilo argued that the government was criminalising Combs and his girlfriends’ “swingers lifestyle” in what amounted to a “fake trial”.

He attacked the credibility of Combs’ ex-girlfriends who testified against him, claiming they were both willing participants in an active sex life.

In a rebuttal, prosecutor Maurene Comey added: “There is no separating the violence from the sex. They were trapped emotionally, physically and financially.”

2 July 2025: Unanimous verdict delivered

Combs is found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking – the most serious charges he faced.

He is however found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution of Ms Ventura and “Jane”.

 

It means the jury found Combs guilty of transporting the two women to places where they would participate in sex acts and prostitution.

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