“Less is more” — and safer
Attempting to put on a defense could, ironically, hurt more than help, Chutkow warns.
“If Diddy were to put on a defense case and it fell flat, he might put himself in a worse position,” he explains. “Oftentimes, ‘less is more’ when you’re defending a client in a criminal trial. Every time you introduce a witness, you open the door to cross-examination, and if your witness wavers, or their credibility is questioned, it can backfire spectacularly.”
Instead, the defense may rely on stipulated evidence, such as previously agreed-upon documents like emails or text messages, which can be introduced without risk of cross-examination or rebuttal.
“This is safer,” Chutkow notes. “Stipulated evidence can’t be picked apart by the prosecution in the same way a live witness can. It lets the defense maintain control of the narrative without introducing new vulnerabilities.”
Combs’ silence, legally sound — and strategically essential
This isn’t the first time legal analysts have suggested that testifying could be disastrous for Combs. In May, former federal prosecutor and legal analyst Neama Rahmani told PEOPLE that taking the stand would be “incredibly dangerous,” noting that any statements Combs made under oath could be used against him not just in the current trial — but in over 60 pending civil cases related to sexual assault and abuse.
“He’s walking a legal tightrope,” Rahmani said. “The risk of testifying far outweighs any potential benefit. One wrong answer under oath could have ripple effects across dozens of lawsuits.”
Despite reports that Combs was “eager” to tell his side of the story, his legal team appears to be prioritizing caution over catharsis.
What’s next: Closing arguments and deliberations
With the prosecution expected to formally rest its case on Tuesday and the defense confirming they won’t present one of their own, all eyes now turn to the closing arguments — scheduled for Thursday, June 26.
Jurors could begin deliberating as early as Friday, June 27, bringing the explosive trial closer to its conclusion after several weeks of emotionally charged testimony, high-profile legal drama, and a media firestorm.
Combs, once one of the most powerful and celebrated figures in the music industry, now faces the most serious legal challenge of his life. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
For now, his fate rests with the jury — and his silence may be the loudest strategy of all.
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