Closing arguments begin against 'Diddy' Combs: Facing life in prison

After nearly two months of testimony in the media trial of rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, the prosecution and defense began their closing arguments Thursday, a crucial moment in a trial that combined themes of power, fame, sex and drugs.

The music mogul was charged with racketeering and sex trafficking and if convicted could spend the rest of his days in jail.

Prosecutor Christy Slavik described Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise that would "not take no for an answer."

"The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted," the prosecutor told the 12 jurors who over more than seven weeks have observed Combs' violent temperament and his penchant for sex orgies, in which he made his partners have sex with professionals he hired.

Both sides have stated that their closing arguments will last several hours.

Forced labor, prostitution and bribery

For the prosecution, Combs, 55, was the mastermind for decades of a network in which he and an inner circle of employees forced victims to commit forced labor, prostitution, and committed other crimes such as bribery and witness tampering.

The famous music producer and founder of Bad Boy Records coerced two women, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and later a woman who testified under a pseudonym, into having sex with paid escorts, under the influence of drugs, for years, according to the prosecution.

The most serious charge, that of unlawful association, could send Combs to prison if convicted. He also faces charges of assault and sex trafficking and two more for transportation for the purpose of prostitution.

Combs, who declined to testify in his defense, denies everything. His lawyers say the entertainer's relationships were consensual and have tried to convince the jury that many of the witnesses did it for profit or out of spite.

The evidence: Thousands of pages of messages, recordings and videos

The prosecution presented thousands of pages of messages and phone recordings and hours of testimony involving meticulous readings of some of the most explicit and heartbreaking exchanges.

Many of those recordings show anguish on the part of the alleged victims. But many of the messages also show affection and desire, which the defendant's defense emphasized on more than one occasion.

The jury has seen video evidence of the sexual orgies that the prosecution considers criminal, while "Diddy's" defense has exhibited exchanges that they say imply consent.

There are also payments to escorts, as well as flight and hotel bills.

Once the arguments are concluded, the 12-member jury will retire to deliberate, likely beginning Monday.