So, here we are—Diddy’s federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial is winding down, and word on the street is that the hip-hop mogul won’t be testifying in his own defense. Now, that’s a pretty bold move, right? The jury won’t get to hear from the man himself, leaving the defense’s consent-based strategy under a spotlight brighter than a spotlight at the Grammys. It’s kinda like Mercury in retrograde messing with the communication flow—sometimes staying silent is golden, but it can also make folks wonder what you’re really hiding. Legal eagles are split; some say it’s a smart shield against self-incrimination, while others think jurors might be left scratching their heads, expecting Diddy to step up and tell his side. As the trial dances to its final beat, the question lingers—does silence speak louder than words in this courtroom drama? LEARN MORE .
As his federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial nears its conclusion, multiple reports now indicate Diddy will not testify in his own defense.
That means the jury will hear from neither the star nor his perspective, putting all the pressure on the defense’s consent-based strategy.
Legal experts say the choice could protect him from self-incrimination, but it might also backfire if jurors expect him to personally defend himself.
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Diddy has pleaded not guilty, but according to a PEOPLE report, he might not testify in his ongoing trial.
The disgraced rapper’s attorney, Marc Agnifilio, offered a hint on Tuesday, June 17, when Judge Arun Subramanian asked him for an estimate on the length of the defense case.
Agnifilio revealed that it would take less than two days, indicating that Diddy wouldn’t be taking the stand, as it would take over a week if he did.
Amid the revelation, analysts are convinced that keeping Diddy from the stand is strategic.
According to them, it will shield the 55-year-old from cross-examination and limit his words from being used in over 60 pending civil suits.
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Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani specifically believes Diddy’s defense will focus on discrediting the accusers, noting that they are after “fame, money, or revenge.”
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The new revelations come months after Agnifilio suggested that Diddy might testify. In a preview from the TMZ documentary “The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment” shared on September 26, 2024, the attorney noted that the rapper was eager to take the stand.
“I don’t know that I could keep him off the stand. I think he is very eager to tell his story,” he said. “I think he will tell every part of his story including what you see on the video. He has his story and I think only he can tell in the way he can tell it in real time. It’s a human story. It’s a story of love, it’s a story of hurt, it’s a story of heartbreak.”
Suge Knight also believed it was a good idea for Diddy to testify.
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Speaking to PEOPLE from prison, the convicted felon said, “The only way [Combs] can even begin to take some of that pain away is if they have Puff Daddy on the stand and the truth come out. Puffy should get on the stand and look these people in the eye and say, ‘This what I did.’”
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Although the former Death Row Records CEO believed Diddy testifying would make a difference, legal expert Lisa Bonner shared a different sentiment.
“Once you take the stand, everything you’ve ever done — related to any of these alleged crimes — become fair game,” she told Page Six.
The lawyer revealed that it would increase Diddy’s chances of going to jail for perjury, as he would be under oath.
As such, it was best to avoid taking the stand. “There is a lot of evidence that will be presented, even up till now, that I wouldn’t want to answer if I was Diddy,” Bonner added.
“For example, ‘Did you drop the Molotov cocktail in the car or did you have any involvement in that?’ There’s nothing to gain, especially if you have skeletons in your closet,” she finished.
Meanwhile, the ongoing case has taken a new turn as “freak-off” videos depicting Diddy’s alleged drug-fueled group sex were recently played in court.
According to reports, prosecutors compiled three videos, each approximately 11 to 12 minutes long, for the jurors to watch and gave them headphones to listen to the audio.
TMZ reported that about 30 seconds into the compilation, there was radio silence in the courtroom, and everyone could hear sexual noises coming from the jurors’ headphones.
Several Black female jurors visibly winced or shook their heads as the explicit scenes played, while one male juror reportedly chuckled at first.
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Other jurors reacted with tense silence, some shaking their heads, others looking away from the screen.
The judge stated that the juror initially claimed to live in the Bronx during jury selection but later admitted to having moved to New Jersey.
The judge emphasized the decision was based solely on credibility concerns, not race.
According to him, the inconsistencies with the juror’s answers in court were indicative of a desire to be deceptive in an effort to get on the Jury.
The dismissed juror was replaced by a white male alternate, a decision Diddy’s lawyers believed would “substantially prejudice” the “Finna Get Loose” rapper.
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