NEW YORK — Sean “Diddy” Combs’ attorney urged jurors on Friday to acquit the music industry figure amidst allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering, asserting that the federal prosecution had misconstrued Combs’ personal life and drug use. Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo argued for four hours, emphasizing Combs’ innocence and imploring the jury to return him to his family, who have waited anxiously during the trial.
Agnifilo criticized the government’s case, which he contended was exaggerated and riddled with flaws. He described the prosecution’s depiction of Combs’ lifestyle as a sequence of overreactions, suggesting that critics had misinterpreted private behavior as criminal. “He is none of these things. He is innocent,” Agnifilo said, casting doubt on the charges brought against his client.
As jurors brace for deliberations starting on Monday, Agnifilo began his closing argument by ridiculing the accusations, questioning why no co-defendants were charged in a case that the prosecution claimed involved a conspiracy with Combs’ associates. The defense attorney noted the jury’s need to set aside speculation on how the investigation began or the motives behind the indictment, as instructed by Judge Arun Subramanian.
In a rebuttal, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating Combs had displayed “inexcusable criminal behavior.” Meanwhile, Agnifilo described the prosecution as nothing more than an effort to capitalize on Combs’ fame and wealth, suggesting that past relationships had become fodder for exploitation through lawsuits and media scrutiny.
During the trial, two former romantic partners testified about their troubling experiences, claiming they were coerced into taking part in sexual activities that were often filmed or directed by Combs. Agnifilo characterized the trial as an intrusion into Combs’ private life, arguing there was no crime scene, merely a complex personal history.
He highlighted the significant financial implications stemming from allegations made against Combs, especially in light of a recent $20 million settlement to Cassie Ventura, who accused him of abuse. Agnifilo claimed that the ongoing litigation appears motivated by a desire to deplete Combs’ financial resources rather than to seek justice.
As the proceedings conclude, Combs sat attentively during Agnifilo’s statements, contrasting his demeanor with previous court days. His family, visible in the courtroom, showed support as Combs maintained a calm presence amid the swirling accusations.
Throughout the defense’s arguments, Agnifilo admitted Combs’ previous violent actions but contended that such behavior did not equate to the charges being leveled against him. Addressing a separate incident of domestic violence captured on security footage from 2016, the attorney suggested that the circumstances surrounding the altercation were misrepresented and that they did not support a case for sex trafficking.
Comey firmly rebutted, reiterating that domestic abuse itself cannot exonerate one from accusations of sex trafficking. As the trial inches towards the jury’s decision, the community remains attentive, awaiting the verdict that could significantly impact the famed artist’s future.
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