Watch live from outside the court as the jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial as the jury has reached a verdict on its third day of deliberations.
“Free Puff!” some supporters chant.
A lawyer for the R&B singer, who previously dated Combs and testified that he beat and raped her, lauded her courage despite the verdict.
“Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution,” Douglas H. Wigdor said in a written statement.
“By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”
Overall, the jury deliberated for about 13 and a half hours over the course of three days.
It’s been almost two months since jury selection began on May 5.
The verdict came as the jury faced the prospect of coming into court Thursday, while the courthouse is otherwise closed, or waiting until after the long Independence Day weekend to resume deliberating if they didn’t have a decision Wednesday.
As Combs turned toward his family as he left the courtroom, he smiled as they applauded and said: “I’ll be home soon.”
He added: “I love you, baby” and, “I love you, Mom.”
He will remain in custody as the judge considers the defense’s argument that the hip-hop mogul should be granted bail and released until his sentencing.
Combs’ family stood and applauded as Diddy faced them before being led out by authorities. The family also cheered for the hip-hop mogul’s lawyers as the defense attorneys hugged one another.
He wiped his face, turned and kneeled at his chair, his head bowed in prayer.
The court will return later Wednesday to discuss bail.
He asked the prosecution and defense to each prepare a letter arguing their position on whether Combs should be granted bail.
The charges Combs was convicted of carry a maximum of 10 years behind bars, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey notes.
“Mr. Agnifilo tried to downplay the significance” of the charges Combs was convicted of, “but the record says otherwise,” the prosecutor says.
She said the court has heard testimony of years of illegal conduct, transporting sex workers, drug use and attempting to intimidate witnesses.
Comey argued there’s a “real risk that he will flagrantly disregard orders from this court, that he will commit new crimes and that he will attempt to flee justice.”
- COUNT ONERacketeering Conspiracy
- NOT GUILTY
- COUNT TWOSex Trafficking of Casandra Ventura
- NOT GUILTY
- COUNT THREETransportation to engage in prostitution – Casandra Ventura
- GUILTY
- COUNT FOURSex Trafficking of Jane
- NOT GUILTY
- COUNT FIVETransportation to engage in prostitution – Jane
- GUILTY
“In light of the fact that Mr. Combs is no longer charged with sex trafficking … he should be released,” Marc Agnifilo said.
Agnifilo wants Combs to be released today and allowed to return to his Florida home.
He says the acquittal on the serious charges demands a change in Combs’ conditions of release.
Prosecutors oppose Combs being released on bail.
Combs was convicted of a prostitution-related offense but acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.
Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.
But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.
Combs and his defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.
He nods his head in agreement as the judge thanks the jury for its hard work over the last eight weeks.
He then again flexes his hands in a prayer motion as he looks at the jury.
He tells them not to speak about other jurors’ deliberations.
He is looking at the jury and hugging his hugs defense lawyer Teny Geragos.
He advised people in the courtroom and overflow rooms to maintain decorum as the verdict is read.
The jury has reached a verdict Wednesday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial in New York City on the third day of deliberations.
The verdict has yet to be announced in court.
In addition to sex trafficking, Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy and transporting sex workers across state lines.
FILE – This courtroom sketch depicts Sean “Diddy” Combs sitting at the defense table during his bail hearing in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (Elizabeth Williams via AP, File)
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers acknowledge he could be violent and may have been a bad boyfriend. But they deny that he’s done anything to warrant the charges against him.
If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
