The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal intercourse trafficking and racketeering trial in New York Town informed the pass judgement on it has reached a verdict. The advance comes after jurors stated Tuesday they might agreed on 4 of the 5 counts in opposition to Combs however disagreed on racketeering conspiracy. The jury is anticipated to ship its determination in a while.Â
Jurors started deliberating in U.S. District Courtroom in decrease New york on Monday. They stated they might reached a partial verdict Tuesday, however Pass judgement on Arun Subramanian despatched them again to proceed deliberating at the closing rely.
Combs may face a most sentence of as much as existence in jail if convicted at the maximum severe fees.
What are the fees in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs?
The grand jury indictment in opposition to the 55-year-old Combs, unsealed in September 2024, to start with charged the hip-hop multi-millionaire with 3 counts following his arrest at a New york resort. In April, prior to the trial started, prosecutors filed further fees, bringing the overall collection of counts in opposition to him to 5.
Combs pleaded now not accountable to the entire fees.Â
The costs in opposition to Combs are:
- Rely 1: Rackeering conspiracy
- Rely 2: Intercourse trafficking via pressure, fraud or coercion (Casandra Ventura)
- Rely 3: Transportation to have interaction in prostitution(Casandra Ventura)
- Rely 4: Intercourse trafficking via pressure, fraud or coercion (“Jane”)
- Rely 3: Transportation to have interaction in prostitution (“Jane”)
“Jane” is a pseudonym utilized in courtroom for an ex-girlfriend of Combs who testified in opposition to him.Â
The prostitution-related fees allege violations of the Mann Act, a legislation that makes it a federal crime to move any individual throughout state traces for prostitution.
The price of racketeering conspiracy calls for prosecutors to turn out various components: that there used to be an settlement amongst two or extra folks to take part in a development of task that might have an effect on interstate trade; that the defendant willfully joined it; and that contributors of the conspiracy dedicated two or extra racketeering acts. The charging record lists various alleged racketeering acts, together with kidnapping, bribery, intercourse trafficking and compelled hard work.
Prosecutors alleged that Combs’ industry empire created a prison undertaking that he used for years to hide up acts of violence and abuse and to coerce girls into enjoyable his sexual needs. Jurors heard from greater than 30 witnesses over the route of 7 weeks because the prosecution went thru its case.
Combs denied the accusations however selected to not take the stand to testify in his protection. His lawyers didn’t name any witnesses all over the trial, despite the fact that they did behavior in depth cross-examinations of the federal government’s witnesses. Combs’ legal professionals argued the prosecution didn’t turn out the fees past an inexpensive doubt.
“Freak-offs” a part of emotional and graphic testimonyÂ
The high-profile trial, which began in Would possibly, incorporated graphic and emotional testimony from two of Combs’ former girlfriends.
Casandra Ventura, the R&B singer referred to as Cassie who spent greater than a decade with him, testified about drug-fueled intercourse classes that Combs allegedly known as “freak-offs.” Ventura testified that he directed the entire encounters, which might remaining for days, and that she felt pressured to take part to make him satisfied.
Ventura testified that Combs managed each facet of her existence, and that she continuously did issues out of worry, since bodily abuse used to be “widespread.”Â
Combs’ lawyers argued that the encounters have been consensual. All over cross-examination, the protection confirmed the jury a 2009 message from Ventura to Combs that learn, “I am all the time in a position to freak off.”
Ventura additionally testified a couple of 2016 incident which used to be stuck on surveillance video appearing Combs beating and kicking her in a California resort hallway. Combs apologized on the time, announcing his conduct used to be “inexcusable” and that he took “complete duty” for his movements.Â
Ventura testified that the assault took place as she used to be looking to depart a “freak-off” that had became violent. A former resort safety officer testified that Combs presented him money after the assault, which the officer stated he understood to be a bribe.
Ventura had filed a civil lawsuit in opposition to Combs in 2023, accusing him of bodily and sexually abusing her. Combs denied the claims and briefly reached a agreement together with her. In his remaining argument to the jury Friday, protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo stated, “In the event you had to pick out a winner on this complete factor, it is arduous now not to pick out Cassie.”
Some other former female friend of Combs testified underneath the pseudonym “Jane” to give protection to her id. She informed the courtroom she continuously participated in what she referred to as “resort nights,” which additionally concerned medication. Jane testified she would have intercourse with a male escort whilst Combs watched. She stated she informed Combs time and again that she did not wish to have intercourse with different males and did not just like the “resort nights.”Â
Combs’ legal professionals displayed messages appearing her putting in “resort nights.” Jane stated she felt confused and that she had grown financially depending on Combs.
Within the prosecution’s remaining arguments, Assistant U.S. Lawyer Christy Slavik described Combs as “the chief of a prison undertaking. He does not take no for a solution. And now about many crimes he dedicated with contributors of his undertaking.”
She stated he used a “small military” of staff to hurt girls after which quilt it up. “He concept that his repute, wealth and tool put him above the legislation,” Slavik stated.
Agnifilo countered via arguing that prosecutors “badly exaggerated” proof of a swinger way of life and threesomes, combining it with leisure drug use and calling it a racketeering conspiracy.
“He didn’t do the issues he is charged with. He did not do racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking,” Combs’ legal professional stated.
“Sean Diddy Combs: The Verdict,” a one-hour particular at the case, will air on CBS Information 24/7 at 9 p.m. ET the night time of the jury’s determination. Obtain the loose CBS Information app to observe to your cell or streaming software, or move on Paramount+.
Alice Gainer and
contributed to this file.
