Sean ‘Diddy” Combs trial: rapper won’t take stand as case nears end

Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared to try to peek at the “freak off” videos played to the jury but deemed too explicit for any other eyes as the rapper’s marathon trial finally nears the finish line.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is not planning to call a single witness in his defence at his bombshell sex-trafficking trial, his lead lawyer said Monday.

Before the jury entered the room Monday morning, attorney Marc Agnifilo told the court that Combs’ legal team will instead introduce an array of trial evidence — which prosecutors have signed off on — into the court record.

The apparent decision to forgo calling witnesses is an about-face from Combs’ purported plan as of last week to call at least three witnesses: two Combs Enterprises employees and a psych expert.

A courtroom sketch depicts Sean "Diddy" Combs sitting at the defence table. Picture: AP

The jury was shown multiple additional “freak-off” videos showing Combs’ gal pal “Jane” having sex with male escorts.

The panellists watched the X-rated clips on monitors inside the jury box and with headphones so that members of the public and the media can’t see or hear them.

Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that the video content was too sexually explicit for the public.

The monitors are turned off at Combs’ defence table so that people in the courtroom gallery can’t see glimpses of the footage.

A trove of photos are tendered to the trial last week gave a glimpse into the rapper’s lifestyle. Picture: US Department of Justice

But Combs is craning his head, appearing to try to catch a peek at the video being played on another monitor on a defence table farther away from the gallery and closer to the judge.

A two-minute clip from November 10, 2021, showed Jane with male prostitute “Sly” during what Jane called a “hotel night” — aka a “freak-off.”

Closing arguments at the bombshell sex-trafficking trial are slated for Thursday – after seven weeks of testimony.

Combs will not be taking the stand in his own defence. Picture: AP

The Bad Boy Records founder’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo confirmed the defence case is expected to last only a few days – signalling Combs won’t take the witness stand.

Diddy, 55, is accused of using his fame and fortune to run a decade-long scheme in which he controlled and manipulated his longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, 38, and others using violence and threats, forcing them into “freak-off” sex marathons that went on for days.

The rapper has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He faces life in prison if convicted.

This article originally appeared in The New York Post.

Originally published as Sean ‘Diddy” Combs trial: rapper won’t take stand as case nears end