After six weeks of testimony, prosecutors in the sex trafficking case against Sean "Diddy" Combs have finished presenting their evidence against him.
The music mogul faces charges that include criminal group activity and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
He was arrested last September while in New York and has remained in jail ever since.
The 55-year-old is notorious for hosting "freak-offs" - sex parties where women were allegedly forced to have sex with male sex workers while Combs watched and enjoyed himself.
Combs has denied all allegations against him and claims that any sexual acts were consensual.
The trial featured 34 witnesses, including Diddy's former partner, Cassie Ventura, rapper Kid Cudi and his former employees, as well as hotel managers and employees.
However, on Tuesday (June 24), Combs refused to speak in court as his legal team presented its defense. The hearing lasted less than an hour and the defense did not call any witnesses.
Addressing federal judge Arun Subramanian about an hour after the prosecution concluded its presentation, as ABC News reported, Combs said of the refusal to testify: "That's my decision with my lawyers," before trying to curry favor with the judge.
“How are you feeling today?” Judge Subramanian asked, and Combs replied, “I’m feeling great, how are you, your honor?” adding, “I want to thank you. You’re doing a great job.”
So how did Diddy's legal team defend themselves without calling him to the witness stand or any other defense witnesses?
They highlighted love messages exchanged between Cassie Ventura and Combs in 2012, where Ventura expressed that she still loved him and would be his little "freak."
They also read notes from authorities' interviews that showed that some of the witnesses had changed their versions from their initial statements.
Furthermore, Combs' lawyers spent days questioning prosecution witnesses, attempting to cast doubt on the testimony of the alleged victims.
Immediately after the prosecution concluded its case, Combs' lawyers asked Judge Subramanian to issue a "not guilty verdict" - suggesting that even if the prosecution's evidence is considered the strongest possible, it is not enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, so the case should be closed now.
Judge Subramanian did not immediately rule on this request.
This is standard practice in federal criminal trials; motions for not guilty, known as Rule 29 motions, are typically made after the prosecution has completed its case, and again after the defense has completed its case.
Judges typically wait to hear closing arguments and see all the evidence before deciding whether any reasonable jury could reach a legally valid sentence.
What will happen next in the Diddy case?
On Thursday (June 26), the jury is expected to return to court to hear closing arguments.
This means that deliberations – when the jury retires to discuss arguments and reach a unanimous verdict – could begin as early as Friday (June 27).
Discussions could last from a few hours to a few weeks, so it is not yet known when a decision can be expected.
If convicted of all charges, Combs could face life in prison.
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