Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile sex trafficking trial took a dramatic turn this week as the presiding judge issued a stern warning to the hip-hop mogul over his courtroom behavior. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian criticized Diddy for making facial expressions and trying to engage with jurors through eye contact, calling the actions “absolutely unacceptable.”
In a pointed statement during a tense court session, Judge Subramanian addressed Diddy’s legal team directly: “There should be no facial expressions or interaction with the jury, none at all.” The judge highlighted moments where Diddy was seen nodding energetically during witness testimonies and made it clear that further disruptions could lead to Diddy’s removal from the courtroom.
Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, responded quickly, offering a formal apology and assuring the court that his client would refrain from such conduct moving forward.
Tensions in the courtroom have been running high. A day before the judge’s warning, a woman believed to be a Diddy supporter was escorted out after shouting obscenities and accusing jurors of discriminating against Black cultural icons. The incident prompted the judge to threaten additional jury instructions or potential consequences for the defendant’s continued presence in the courtroom.
Though Diddy has largely maintained a calm exterior throughout the trial, those in attendance have witnessed occasional signs of emotion—head shakes, note-passing to his attorneys, and even affectionate gestures toward his mother seated in the audience. Notably, during testimony from his former partner Cassie Ventura, Diddy kept his gaze averted but appeared intensely engaged.
The trial itself has been marked by a series of explosive allegations. Bryana Bongolan, a close friend of Ventura, testified that Diddy once threatened her life by dangling her from a 17th-floor balcony. However, her credibility came under fire during cross-examination due to inconsistencies in her account. Another witness, using the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” claimed to have been in a relationship with Combs and described troubling scenarios, including being coerced into spending nights with him in exchange for financial support.
Now entering its third week, the trial places Diddy under intense legal and public scrutiny. The charges he faces—sex trafficking, racketeering, prostitution, and assault—are grave. If found guilty, the 54-year-old music executive could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
As the courtroom drama intensifies, the world watches closely. More developments are expected in the coming days.
