NEW YORK (TNND) — After six weeks and 34 witnesses, the sex-trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs is nearing its end as closing arguments began on Thursday.

The defense rested its case on Tuesday after 30 minutes by submitting several exhibits into evidence and reading messages from ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura to Combs and statements from other witnesses, CNN reported from the New York courtroom.

Combs' team argued that the women he was involved with were willing participants in the sexual encounters and that some of the women had feelings for Combs and initiated some of the "freak offs" and "hotel nights."

Prosecutors tried to prove the music mogul ran a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.

The 55-year-old music mogul has pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment and faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on all charges. He was charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, transportation for purposes of prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.

Prosecutors said on Wednesday they would no longer pursue theories that the music mogul was involved in attempted arson and attempted kidnapping.

Combs was arrested in September 2024, about roughly six months after federal authorities raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. He has been jailed in Brooklyn since his arrest and denied bail multiple times.

“Over the last several weeks, you’ve learned a lot about Sean Combs,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik said in closing arguments to the jury. “He’s the leader of a criminal enterprise. He doesn’t take no for an answer. And now you know about many crimes he committed with members of his enterprise.”

She said charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy were supported by proof that over two decades, Combs kidnapped one of his employees, committed arson by trying to blow up a car, engaged in forced labor, bribed a security officer and carried out the “brutal crimes at the heart of this case.”

Combs “again and again forced, threatened and manipulated” Ventura and an ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” into “having sex with escorts for his own entertainment,” Slavik continued.

“The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” she said. “He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law.”

As Slavik spoke, the jury reviewed photos of key figures in Combs' life and excerpts from related testimony.

Judge Arun Subramanian told the jury they would hear a closing argument from a defense lawyer on Friday and a rebuttal by a prosecutor before he instructs them on the law and allows them to begin deliberating as early as late afternoon.

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.