The Judge, Jury and Lawyers in Diddy Case Explained

Sean “Diddy” Combs time in court has come to an end. The rapper’s trail started in May 2025 and wrapped up two months later.

The music mogul was incarcerated in September 2024, after he was arrested in New York following a grand jury indictment on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution, to which he pleaded not guilty.

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo said in a statement at the time. “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

In July 2025, a jury found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted on the remaining three counts, which included two counts of sex trafficking and one count of racketeering conspiracy.

Us Weekly explains the main players in the legal process, including the judge, the lawyers and the jury:

Diddy’s Request to Delay Trial Denied by Judge, Will Begin on Met Gala Day

The Judge

Arun Subramanian was the presiding judge on the United States vs. Combs trial. A judge’s main role in a trial involving a jury is to make sure everything proceeds in a fair and legal way. The judge is also responsible for managing the evidence and informing and instructing the jury about relevant legal frameworks so they are empowered to reach a verdict in the case.

According to NBC News, Subramanian has been on the federal bench for approximately two years and the Diddy trial was believed to be his highest profile trial yet.

The Jury

Jury selection began on May 5, 2025, with opening statements on Monday, May 12. From the 100s of New York residents called for jury duty, a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates were ultimately chosen to take part in the trial.

Ahead of selection, potential jury members were questioned on their views on everything from sex, drug use, fame and music taste.

According to TMZ, there were 30 questions in the jury questionnaire, with one reading: “There may be evidence in this case about people engaging in sexual relations with multiple sexual partners. Would hearing about that type of evidence be difficult for you?”

Another question read: “Do you believe that wealthy people get away with things that the less wealthy do not?”

The outlet reported that there was a question asking whether potential jurors have opinions about the “hip hop rap music industry or artists in that genre?” The questionnaire allegedly asked potential jurors whether they have “personal experiences or opinions about drug or alcohol use or addiction.”

Marc Agnifilo. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Diddy’s Lawyers

Heading up the lead prosecution team was Marc Antony Agnifilo. The veteran criminal defense lawyer is well versed in controversial cases, having represented NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere and “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli among others in the past. Agnifilo was joined by Teny Geragos (who has experience in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct), and Alexandra Shapiro.

The team also included Brian Steel, known for representing rapper Young Thug in Georgia’s longest running trial. He was the subject of a profile in the New Yorker in April.

“Brian doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, and can’t believe anybody would,” David Botts told the outlet. “He won’t curse, even in court — even if he’s reading from a transcript. So when he’s cross-examining he’ll say, ‘So-and-so F-word.’ The court will say, ‘Mr. Steel, you can read that word.’ But Brian still won’t do it.”

Botts also told the outlet that Steel “only drinks water” and “brings a toothbrush to court.”

Diddy’s Trial Date Set for Next Year After He Was Arrested Without Bail

Prosecution’s Lawyers

The team of attorneys who argued for the prosecution side include Maurene Ryan Comey, Emily Anne Johnson, Madison Reddick Smyser, Mary Christine Slavik, Meredith Foster and Mitzi Steiner. Comey is known for her work in helping to secure a conviction against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell for conspiring with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.