Sean ‘Diddy’ Comb’s lawyers stun with shockingly short defence

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers presented their case on sex-trafficking charges that could land the rapper in prison for life. And it wasn’t what everyone was expecting.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers mounted a shockingly short defence for the rapper at his sex-trafficking trial, taking just minutes to present their case on charges that could land him life in prison.

Also, a spicy trove of new evidence has been released to the public, showing the rapper living large as he receives a massage from a woman and drinks a glass of champagne while riding an exercise bike.

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.

Lawyers for Sean Combs have taken just ten minutes to present the star’s defence case. Picture: AFP

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.

The jury in the bombshell sex-trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs is unlikely to begin deliberating until next week.

The jurors have been let go until Friday AEST when a marathon of closing arguments are set to kick off — which are expected to last for two days.

Sean Combs thanked the judge as he confirmed he would not testify. Picture: AP

Prosecutors are expected to go first, followed by Combs’ defence attorneys and then prosecutors get to deliver rebuttal statements after.

On Wednesday, the defence case rested after roughly 10 minutes of his lawyer presenting jurors with a few pieces of evidence.

The Bad Boy Records founder did not testify, and his lawyers did not call any witnesses. Instead, Combs lawyer Anna Estevao read evidence to jurors including text messages between Combs’ long time girlfriend Cassie Ventura and the rapper.

Combs’ lawyer Anna Estevao has kicked off the rapper’s brief defence case by reading loving text messages from Cassie Ventura to the rapper.

The star’s lawyer read out more texts from Cassie Ventura to Sean Combs. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” Ventura texted the hip-hop mogul in 2012.

“I love being in love with you,” another message from Ventura to Combs reads.

Combs’ team didn’t call any witnesses but they opted to put on a short defence case in which they present evidence to the jury.

Combs had glowing praise for the judge in his bombshell sex trafficking trial as he confirmed he wouldn’t testify — moments after his lawyers urged the jurist to toss the case.

“I wanted to tell you thank you, you are doing an excellent job,” Combs, standing at the defence table in a copper sweater, told Judge Arun Subramanian after the judge asked how the embattled hip-hop mogul was doing.

“Thank you,” Subramanian replied.

The rapper’s children and mother have supported him during his trial. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Combs’ compliment came moments after one of his attorneys argued that the judge should throw out the case for lack of evidence. Such legal arguments are a typical part of trial proceedings but rarely granted.

The judge, who said he would rule on the dismissal bid later on, asked Combs several times to confirm that it was his decision alone not to testify.

“Yes it’s my decision, I’m making it,” Combs said.

Combs’ defence lawyer Alexandra Shapiro is arguing a low-odds bid for Judge Subramanian to acquit the rapper before the jury deliberates.

“The government has failed to prove its burden on counts 1 through 5,” Shapiro claimed, adding that they didn’t prove Combs carried out a racketeering conspiracy.

SEX VIDEOS ‘TOO GRAPHIC FOR PUBLIC’

It came the day after 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 were turned off at Combs’ defence table so that people in the courtroom gallery couldn’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 was 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.”

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

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.