Sean "Diddy" Combs' lead defense attorney told a federal judge on Friday that the hip-hop mogul engaged in domestic violence with one of his accusers, adding a notable development to a closely watched sex trafficking case that is set to begin next week in New York. The statement came during a pretrial hearing ahead of the final stage of jury selection.
"There was hitting on both sides, behavior on both sides," Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. "It is relevant in terms of the coercive aspects, we are admitting domestic violence." Agnifilo said the defense will argue that the alleged violence in the relationship was "mutual."
Though prosecutors have not publicly identified the woman at the center of the claim, allegations attributed to "Victim-1" in the indictment mirror those brought in a high-profile civil lawsuit by R&B singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, Combs' former girlfriend. That case was settled privately in November 2023 without any admission of wrongdoing.
The legal shift comes as Combs, 55, faces five felony charges, including racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has remained in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September.
Ventura is expected to testify as a key prosecution witness. Her claims gained widespread attention after CNN aired surveillance footage from a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 that showed Combs beating, dragging, and kicking her. That video, which Judge Subramanian has ruled admissible at trial, is likely to play a significant role in the government's case. Combs has previously described the footage as "inexcusable" and issued a public apology, saying he took full responsibility.
The prosecution team, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, has outlined a strategy that includes initial testimony from two short witnesses before calling a central accuser who is expected to remain on the stand for much of the week. Comey also told the court that prosecutors have not yet been able to contact "Victim-3" or her attorney, but will provide an update soon on whether she will be called to testify.
In addition to arguing consent, Combs' lawyers have pushed back against the government's portrayal of his conduct, calling it an attempt to criminalize a "swinger lifestyle." The defense plans to challenge the credibility of alleged victims by suggesting their accusations are financially motivated.
The case involves claims that Combs used his entertainment and business empire to lure women into sexual encounters with promises of romantic relationships or financial opportunities, later coercing them into multi-day, drug-fueled sex parties referred to as "Freak Offs."
The jury selection process, originally scheduled to be finalized this week, was delayed after a prospective juror asked to be excused for reasons related to personal well-being. Judge Subramanian postponed the final round of peremptory challenges until Monday, when both legal teams will be allowed to strike jurors-ten by the defense and six by prosecutors.
The trial is expected to last approximately eight weeks. Once the 12 jurors and six alternates are seated, Judge Subramanian will issue instructions and turn the proceedings over to opening arguments.
