Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ legal fate remains up in the air after the 12-person jury in his criminal trial reached a consensus on four counts in the federal sex-crimes probe but deadlocked on the top charge.
After only two days of deliberations, the jury reached a decision on the combined four charges of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution against Combs, but they weren’t read aloud in court. The jury returns to Manhattan court on July 2 to begin Day 3 of deliberations.
“We have jurors with unpersuadable opinions on both sides,” the panel said in a July 1 note about its progress. None of the decisions are final, and jurors can change their minds until a verdict is formally announced.
Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed the jury — made up of eight men and four women — and advised them to continue deliberating following the deadlocked count. Both prosecutors and Combs’ defense attorneys agreed that the judge should tell jurors to keep working toward a final verdict on the rapper’s racketeering charge.
U.S. attorneys also pointed out that a deadlock could mean the case will be re-tried.
Before Subramanian read the jury’s note, Combs rubbed his eyes and rested his face against his palm while seated at the defense table with his lawyers huddled around him. One defense lawyer, Brian Steel, rubbed Combs’ shoulder. Two of Combs’ other attorneys put their arms around each other.
Combs, 55, was arrested in September on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges.
Did jurors in Diddy trial issue a partial verdict?
No, the jury in Diddy’s trial did not issue a partial verdict.
The jury on July 1 reached a verdict on four of the five counts against Combs, including two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
A verdict isn’t final until it’s formally rendered to the court, which has not taken place. Jurors could still revisit charges in their deliberations.
What is an Allen charge?
An Allen charge is an instruction given to a deadlocked jury to encourage them to keep working and reach a verdict. It’s sometimes referred to as a “dynamite charge.”
Whatever you call it, it’s used to avoid a hung jury. That’s when jurors tell the court they can’t come to a unanimous verdict.
Subramanian didn’t issue an Allen charge in Combs’ case, but he discussed it with lawyers on both sides.
What is racketeering?
Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity.
Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in “freak offs” — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video.
Has Diddy trial reached a verdict?
No, a verdict has not yet been reached in Combs’ criminal case.
After more than a month of harrowing testimony from several of Combs’ associates, the prosecution rested its case on June 24. Meanwhile, Combs’ lawyers rested their case in less than half an hour, with the defense opting not to call any witnesses to the stand. Closing arguments concluded June 27.
Although the music mogul’s alleged abuse is at the center of the trial, Combs told the court he would not be testifying.
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Is Diddy in jail?
The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and despite repeated attempts at bail, has remained confined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024.
What is Diddy charged with?
Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry.
He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him.
Contributing: USA TODAY staff
