The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs began on May 12, 2025, in New York City. He's being accused of some very serious crimes, like sex trafficking and running a criminal business. If he’s found guilty, he could go to prison for the rest of his life.
Diddy came to court with his family. His mother and his kids were sitting right in the front to support him. Outside the courthouse, a big crowd gathered. Some were reporters, and others were fans who wanted to see what was happening.
Opening Statements
First, the prosecutors spoke. They are the lawyers trying to prove Diddy is guilty. They said that Diddy had been using his power and money to control women for many years. They explained that he would force women into sex at secret parties he called "freak-offs."
They said these parties were not just fun gatherings. They were dangerous and violent. According to them, Diddy would threaten and hurt women if they didn’t do what he wanted. The prosecutors also told the jury that three women would be testifying against him. One of them is Cassie, who used to be his girlfriend, and the other two are women who worked for him.
Then, Diddy's defense team spoke. They are the lawyers trying to prove he is innocent. They had a very different story. They said that Diddy did have wild parties, but everything that happened there was consensual. That means everyone agreed to it. They said nothing illegal happened and that Diddy did not force anyone to do anything against their will.
They also suggested that the women accusing Diddy might just want money or fame. His lawyer even said, “He might have done bad things, but they weren’t crimes.”
The First Witness: Israel Florez
The first person to speak in court was Israel Florez. He worked as a security guard at a hotel in Los Angeles. He talked about a night in March 2016 when he was called because Cassie was screaming for help.
Florez said that when he got to the hallway, he saw Cassie crouched in a corner, crying and hiding her face. Diddy was sitting in a chair with just a towel on. Cassie told him she wanted to leave the hotel, but Diddy said she wasn’t allowed to go.
Florez helped Cassie grab her things and walk out of the hotel, even though Diddy tried to stop her. He also told the court that Diddy threw a big stack of money at him and said, “Don’t tell anyone.” Florez said he thought it was a bribe—money to make him stay quiet.
The prosecutors even showed a video from the hotel, which showed Diddy kicking and hitting Cassie. People in the courtroom were shocked to see the video. It was the first big piece of evidence that prosecutors showed.
The Second Witness: Daniel Phillip
The next person to speak was Daniel Phillip. He is a male entertainer. He said that he was hired to perform at parties with Diddy and Cassie. But when he got to the party, it wasn’t like a regular party.
Phillip explained that Diddy would watch while he and Cassie were together, sometimes even recording videos. He said this happened many times at different places, like hotels and even Diddy’s house. He called these parties "freak-offs," just like the prosecutors did.
Phillip also said that Diddy sometimes got very angry and violent. He remembered one time when Diddy threw a glass bottle at Cassie because she didn’t answer him fast enough. He said he never told the police because he was afraid of what Diddy might do to him.
Important Moments from Day One
There were some really big moments on the first day of the trial:
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The jury saw a video of Diddy attacking Cassie. This was important because it was real proof, not just someone saying what happened.
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Israel Florez, the hotel security guard, said Diddy tried to pay him to stay quiet after the fight.
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Cassie ran away from the hotel with the help of the guard. She didn’t call the police but wanted to leave quickly.
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Diddy’s daughters left the courtroom when the stories got very graphic and disturbing. His sons stayed, but they looked uncomfortable.
What Happens Next?
The trial is expected to last about eight weeks. More people are going to speak, including Cassie herself and two other women who say they were hurt by Diddy.
The prosecutors are going to try to prove that Diddy did bad things on purpose and forced people to do what he wanted. The defense is going to try to prove that everything was consensual and that the women are lying for money.
The judge and jury will listen to everything and decide if Diddy is guilty or not.
Final Thoughts
The first day of the trial was very intense. There were videos, witnesses, and big accusations. It’s only the beginning, but the courtroom was already full of surprises and shocking moments.