Shocking verdict in Diddy’s trial explained.
Jurors in the explosive Sean “Diddy” Combs trial stunned the courtroom Tuesday with a partial verdict — but weren’t allowed to announce it yet.
Diddy’s trial profiled.
Sean Combs, founder of Bad Boy Records, faces allegations of orchestrating a criminal enterprise over two decades.
Prosecutors allege his empire involved arson, kidnapping, s** trafficking, forced labor, and other serious crimes.
Central to the case is testimony from Combs’ ex-partner, Cassie Ventura, who claims he repeatedly abused her and forced her into marathon s** sessions with male prostitutes known as “freak-offs.”
Another anonymous accuser, called “Jane,” testified she faced similar coercion and financial threats if she refused participation.
Over seven weeks, the jury heard from 34 witnesses, including male escorts allegedly paid by Combs for the “freak-offs.”
The defense presented hundreds of messages from Ventura and Jane that sometimes showed affection or willingness to join the “freak-offs.”
Prosecutors countered that Combs’ physical abuse, threats to release s** videos, and financial control formed a clear pattern of coercion.
The trial started with the jury hearing testimonies and evidence, including video of a 2016 assault in a Los Angeles hotel caught on camera.
The jury also examined details of a 2013 Cannes yacht incident, where Ventura claims Combs accused her of drug use and ejected her from the boat.
Partial verdict confirmed.
On Monday, the 12 jurors began deliberations but quickly reported concerns about one juror struggling to follow instructions.
The Manhattan federal court judge, Arun Subramanian, told the 12 jurors to keep hashing it out after they reached a decision on four out of five counts.
But the jury hit a wall on the most serious charge: racketeering conspiracy — a charge often reserved for mob bosses and cartel leaders.
The verdict update came after just 12 hours of deliberation — signaling deep divisions in the jury room.
“We have reached a verdict on counts 2, 3, 4 and 5,” the jury told the judge in a note, referencing two s**-trafficking charges and two counts of transportation for pr**********.
But for the racketeering charge, “we have unpersuadable jurors on both sides,” the note added, revealing a sharp split.
The hip-hop mogul, who has pleaded not guilty, appeared somber as seven defense lawyers huddled with him before the partial verdict was read.
Significance of partial verdict clarified.
Defense attorney Neama Rahmani said it’s hard to tell exactly what the partial verdict means but guessed jurors convicted Combs on pr********** charges and acquitted him on s** trafficking.
Rahmani explained that s** trafficking is difficult to prove because “consent is a defense,” noting Ventura’s messages suggested willingness to participate.
He added that racketeering is easier to prove because it can include a wide range of underlying crimes.
A fast partial verdict can often indicate trouble for prosecutors on the toughest charges, Rahmani said.
Combs, now 55, remains in custody and faces up to life in prison if convicted on the s**-trafficking or racketeering charges.
The trial has captured public attention due to the celebrity defendant and the dark, behind-the-scenes allegations it reveals.
The jurors asked for key excerpts of Ventura’s testimony during deliberations, including the 2016 assault and 2013 Cannes incidents.
They also wanted testimony about Combs’ threats to leak videos of Ventura with male escorts during “freak-offs.”
The case’s outcome hinges on whether the jury believes the accusers were coerced or consenting participants.
Jury returns for crucial deliberations tomorrow.
Jurors are now scheduled to return to the courtroom Wednesday to continue deliberations.
The deadlock over racketeering means the jury is far from a final decision in the case.
Prosecutors must prove at least two crimes were committed as part of the alleged criminal enterprise to win on racketeering.
The trial’s twists and turns keep it under intense scrutiny, as more courtroom drama surely lies ahead.
But now we have a verdict.
Here was found guilty of only charges 3 and 5, and not guilty of the others:
Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy
Count 2: S*x trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie)
Count 3: Transportation to engage in pr*stitution – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie) and commercial s*x workers
Count 4: S*x trafficking by force – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”)
Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”) and commercial s*x workers
And as he was found not guilty of trafficking.
It means he will avoid the life sentence. But still could face up to 20 years behind bars.