Federal prosecutors in New York are expected to formally conclude their case Tuesday in the high-profile racketeering and sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Surprisingly, Combs' legal team has announced it will not present any witnesses of its own, a move that accelerates the trial’s conclusion and raises eyebrows but legal experts say it’s not unusual.

“It’s actually more common than people realize,” said Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor now practicing criminal defense in New York. 

“The defense might feel that cross-examination of prosecution witnesses already undermines the government’s claims enough to rest their case entirely.”

Unexpected Silence from Diddy’s Defense Team

Since the start of the trial over six weeks ago, jurors have heard testimony from 34 government witnesses supporting the claim that Combs used his music empire including Bad Boy Records as a front for a criminal operation that sexually exploited women over many years. Jurors, composed of eight men and four women, also examined numerous pieces of digital evidence including texts, videos, and receipts.

While the defense had initially suggested it might call up to three witnesses, including a former Bad Boy Entertainment executive, attorney Marc Agnifilo told Judge Arun Subramanian on Monday that they will instead rely on submitting documents and reaching evidentiary stipulations. Closing arguments could begin as early as Thursday.

The defense is also expected to request a full dismissal of the case a standard, though rarely successful, legal maneuver.

Despite not presenting witnesses, the defense bears no burden of proof. Jurors will be instructed to focus solely on whether prosecutors proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt a point experts say jurors may intellectually understand, but emotionally struggle with.