Key Gamers, Their Allegations and Extra

Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ intercourse trafficking trial is underway, with a number of key gamers taking their place within the courtroom.

In September 2024, the rap mogul was indicted on charges of intercourse trafficking, racketeering and transportation to have interaction in prostitution. After a number of girls got here ahead with claims that the musician had raped them, the Unhealthy Boy Data founder denied the entire allegations in an announcement to PEOPLE in December 2023.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the final couple of weeks, I’ve sat silently and watched individuals attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my popularity and my legacy,” he mentioned. “Sickening allegations have been made in opposition to me by people on the lookout for a fast payday.”

Combs continued, “Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged. I’ll struggle for my identify, my household and for the reality.”

After pleading not responsible, Combs’ extremely anticipated trial started on Might 12. On day two, key witness Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura took the stand, delivering an emotional testimony stuffed with explosive claims from their decade-long relationship.

From the authorized groups to the witnesses, this is a information to the important thing gamers in Diddy’s intercourse trafficking trial.

What’s Diddy charged with?

In September 2024, Combs was indicted on costs of intercourse trafficking, racketeering and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.

A 2024 federal indictment alleges that Combs used his energy within the music trade to control and lure girls, forcing them to take part in orchestrated intercourse acts throughout so-called “freak off” events.

In accordance with prosecutors, “freak offs” had been “elaborate and produced intercourse performances” that Combs allegedly coerced girls into performing with male intercourse staff. After authorities raided Combs’ dwelling in Miami and Los Angeles in March 2025, prosecutors mentioned they discovered “freak off provides,” which included medication and over 1,000 bottles of child oil and lubricant.

Prosecutors allege that the rapper used varied managed substances — typically with out the sufferer’s data — to keep up management over them, per the indictment. He’s additionally described because the mastermind behind a “felony enterprise” linked to allegations of kidnapping, arson and drug offenses.

When is Diddy’s trial going down?

Following juror choice on Might 5, the trial formally started on Might 12 in downtown Manhattan, and it is anticipated to final eight weeks.

Per CBS News, Ventura’s testimony will probably be the main focus of the trial’s first week.

Who’re the important thing gamers in Diddy’s trial?

Sean “Diddy” Combs

The rap mogul — who has been sued by dozens of people accusing him of sexual misconduct and denied the allegations — pleaded not responsible to the federal intercourse crime costs he’s now dealing with.

There have been several disturbing allegations made by prosecutors in opposition to Combs, together with that he compelled victims to take part in “freak offs,” used medication and energy to coerce girls and bodily abused a number of individuals.

Since his 2024 arrest, Combs has been held on the Metropolitan Detention Complicated in Brooklyn. If convicted, he might resist life in jail.

Cassie Ventura

Ventura, who dated Combs for a couple of decade, is without doubt one of the key witnesses within the trial in opposition to him.

The R&B singer first sued Combs for sexual assault in November 2023, although the go well with was settled one day after it was filed. As for his present costs, sources confirmed to PEOPLE in April 2025 that Sufferer-1 was Ventura — and that she would testify using her real name.

On day two of the trial, Ventura — who has two children and is anticipating one other with husband Alex High-quality — took the stand and described the abuse she allegedly endured by Combs, explaining that he “managed” a lot of her life.

Ventura testified that the rapper launched her to the concept of sexual voyeurism early of their relationship and requested her about “freak offs.”

“The longest was 4 days or much more with breaks. Then I used to be recovering from the medication, dehydration — simply making an attempt to remain awake on a regular basis,” she instructed the jury, including that the “freak offs turned a job.”

Ventura additionally alleged that Combs filmed their sexual encounters and used the footage as “blackmail materials,” main her to reside in worry that he would use his “many sources” to launch them.

As her testimony continued, she revealed private details of their relationship, which she famous had a 17-year age hole.

Sufferer 2, 3 and 4

In a movement filed in April 2025, prosecutors acknowledged that three different victims would testify at trial, although their identities would stay protected. They requested that the ladies be referred to by their pseudonyms.

On day two of the trial, Sufferer 2 was given the pseudonym Jane, whereas Sufferer 4 was known as Mia, per NBC News. (Sufferer 3 has but to be recognized.)

Throughout opening statements, prosecutors described Jane as a single mother who met Combs in 2020 and fell in love with the mogul. They mentioned that she participated in a freak off, considering it will be a one-time occasion, although it wasn’t.

Prosecutors outlined a number of different particulars about Jane’s relationship with Combs, together with that he allegedly as soon as kicked her to the bottom and used threats to regulate her.

In the meantime, Mia is Combs’ former private assistant who alleges that the musician sexually assaulted her.

Marc Agnifilo

Main Combs’ protection is Marc Agnifilo, the husband of Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who’s representing UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect Luigi Mangione.

In response to the costs in opposition to Combs, Agnifilo mentioned he would “struggle like hell” to get the rapper launched.

“He’s going to fight this with all of his vitality and all of his may and the complete confidence of his attorneys, and I anticipate a protracted battle with an excellent outcome for Mr. Combs,” Agnifilo continued.

Forward of the trial, Marc mentioned his shopper was a “swinger,” however not a sexual predator, per ABC News.

“There is a life-style, name it swingers, that he was in that he thought was acceptable,” the lawyer mentioned. “The rationale he thought it was acceptable is as a result of it is so widespread.”

Teny Geragos

Combs’ authorized crew additionally consists of Teny Geragos, a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater LLP and the daughter of well-known protection legal professional Mark Geragos, who has represented Scott Peterson, the Menendez brothers and Michael Jackson.

Throughout her opening assertion, Geragos addressed resort safety footage through which Combs is seen assaulting Ventura. Whereas she acknowledged that what Combs did was “horrible, dehumanizing, violent and horrible,” she argued that it was “proof of home violence,” not intercourse trafficking.

Brian Metal

After representing Young Thug (né Jeffery Lamar Williams) throughout a high-profile racketeering trial in 2024, Brian Metal requested to join Diddy’s legal team.

Metal defended Williams, who pleaded guilty to drug costs, gun costs and one gang cost in October 2024, in what was the longest felony trial in Georgia’s historical past.

In June 2024, the Georgia-based lawyer was briefly sent to jail after he refused to inform the choose how he came upon a couple of assembly between the choose, prosecutors and a prosecution witness, per the Associated Press.

In accordance with The New Yorker, Metal appealed the cost to the Georgia Supreme Courtroom, who ultimately overturned the choice.

Maurene Ryan Comey

Maurene Ryan Comey is among the many group of assistant U.S. attorneys on the prosecution’s crew. She is the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, who prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell in her intercourse trafficking trial.

U.S. District Decide Arun Subramanian

U.S. District Decide Arun Subramanian might be presiding over the case. Subramanian was appointed to the bench in 2023 by former President Joe Biden, and beforehand clerked for the late Supreme Courtroom Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Which celebrities have been talked about throughout Diddy’s trial?

Throughout jury choice on Might 5, potential jurors had been questioned about their knowledge of several high-profile celebrities, together with Kanye West, Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers and Kid Cudi.

Though they had been talked about, the celebrities will not be assured to be referred to as as witnesses or concerned within the proceedings. A supply confirmed to PEOPLE that Jordan would “not be a witness at the trial,” although they are saying he was talked about due to his private affiliation with Ventura.

As for Child Cudi, Ventura alleged in her lawsuit that Combs bodily attacked her after discovering out about her transient relationship with the “Pursuit of Happiness” singer.

In the event you or somebody has been sexually assaulted, please contact the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

In the event you or somebody has been a sufferer of sexual abuse, textual content “STRENGTH” to the Disaster Textual content Line at 741-741 to be related to a licensed disaster counselor.