During Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile sex trafficking trial, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo quibbled about a “slippery slope” during a tense legal debate over testimony about baby oil. The remark, made during a sidebar discussion, came after prosecutors faced objections for repeatedly questioning witness Cassie Ventura about the substance. This brief exchange not only lightened the courtroom mood but also underscored the clashing strategies of the prosecution and defense in one of the most scrutinized celebrity trials of 2025.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial kicked off in early May 2025, with jury selection beginning on May 5. The hip-hop mogul stands accused of orchestrating what prosecutors term “freak offs”—elaborate, coerced sexual encounters involving controlled substances and accessories, including vast quantities of baby oil. The trial stems from federal raids on Combs’ Los Angeles and Florida residences in March, where authorities seized drugs, videos, and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.
Central to the case is Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend from 2007 to 2018. Her 2023 lawsuit alleging rape and physical abuse sparked the legal cascade that led to Combs’ indictment. Prosecutors portray him as the mastermind of a criminal enterprise that forced women into sexual acts with male escorts. At the same time, the defense acknowledges some violent incidents but denies the sex trafficking charges.
Ventura took the stand on May 13, 2025, launching into a detailed account of the alleged “freak offs” she claims Combs orchestrated. She described these as meticulously planned, multi-day sexual performances that Combs filmed, often involving male escorts or strippers engaging with her as he observed.
A focal point of her testimony was the use of baby oil. Ventura recounted how Combs insisted on having large amounts of heated Johnson’s baby oil for these near-weekly events, demanding participants be “glistening.” She testified,
“Sean preferred it to be heated and shimmering, so we applied it every five minutes.”
In a striking example, she detailed an incident at the L’Ermitage hotel in Beverly Hills, where Combs allegedly ordered a blow-up pool filled with lube and oil.
“I did [get in], with my outfit, my shoes. It was quite dangerous,” she said, adding, “It was his idea. I couldn’t say no,”
Citing fear of his temper.
As prosecutor Emily Johnson pressed Ventura with questions about baby oil—around 20 in total, including whether they ever “ran out”—defense attorney Anna Estevao objected, arguing the testimony was “getting a little cumulative.” When Johnson shifted to ask about Astroglide lubricant, Estevao objected again, prompting Judge Subramanian to call a sidebar outside the jury’s earshot.
During the sidebar, the judge sought clarity on the prosecution’s direction, noting the repetitive nature of the baby oil questions. Johnson explained that the various supplies, including baby oil, were key to showing Combs’ control over the “freak offs” and establishing a consistent pattern. She promised to move on, stating,
“I will refrain from asking any more questions about the oil.”
Then, Agnifilo interjected with his quip:
“I was going to say slippery slope, but I’m not going to say it,”
Playful nodding to both the legal argument and the literal slipperiness at issue.
Though the defense sought to curb the focus on baby oil, it remains a linchpin in the prosecution’s case. Ventura’s testimony about its regular use—corroborated by the 1,000-plus bottles seized—helps paint a picture of orchestrated events under Combs’ direction. Her claim that rooms were often slick with oil, coating “walls and door handles,” aims to leave a lasting impression on jurors.
The baby oil has also spilled into public discourse, with a potential juror admitting during selection to liking a comedian’s social media skit about Combs and the substance. This is more than a quirky detail for prosecutors—it’s evidence of a pattern supporting their narrative of a criminal enterprise.
As of mid-May 2025, Ventura’s testimony continued, with May 16 marking her fourth day on the stand. After her direct testimony on May 13 and 14, she faced cross-examination from Estevao. The trial, which weathered defense attempts to delay it, anticipates further testimony from figures like Dawn Richard and Aubrey O’Day in the coming weeks.
The Combs trial is a significant moment in the #MeToo era, spotlighting allegations of abuse by a titan of the music industry. Detained since September at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, Combs’ case has drawn intense media scrutiny, fueled by both the gravity of the charges and the vivid details emerging in court.