Here's What Jurors From The Diddy Trial Have To Say After Their Acquittals Sparked Fierce Backlash
The 55-year-old star, who had pleaded 'not guilty' to all charges, was found guilty on two federal counts of transportation for purposes of prostitution, and now faces up to 20 years in prison.
It came after weeks of testimony involving 34 witnesses, which included associates of Diddy's and two alleged victims: Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and another ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym "Jane.'
Related:
And ever since news of the mixed verdict broke on July 2, the jury involved in the case has faced intense scrutiny from the general public. In addition to people criticizing the male-majority jury of eight men and four women, questions have been raised over whether the jurors were influenced by Diddy's celebrity status.
Now, one of the jurors, who requested to remain anonymous, has hit back at the 'highly insulting' discourse in an interview with ABC News.
Related:
The individual opted to speak out after they heard a legal pundit imply that Diddy's fame may have played a role in the verdict, telling ABC that this line of thinking is 'highly insulting and belittling to the jury and the deliberation process."
Related:
"We spent over two days deliberating. Our decision was based solely on the evidence presented and how the law is stated," they added. "We would have treated any defendant in the same manner regardless of who they are. I have nothing else to say.'
The juror's comments come after another person who served on the jury, George, spoke to both CNN and the New York Times to defend the verdict. As George was one of six alternates on the case, he was not present for the jury's two days of deliberations, but was present for the entirety of the seven-week trial.
"Reading all my notes and looking back at the evidence, I probably would have reached the same conclusion as the other jurors," George told CNN of the racketeering charge. "I think there was always a little bit of doubt in people's minds. I think it was a tough case to prove, especially the first [charge of racketeering]. There was always a little bit of doubt there, even from the beginning."
George added that he was impressed by Diddy's defense team in court, and said that the music mogul was 'fighting for himself' despite opting against taking the stand.
After the jury delivered their verdict, Judge Subramanian denied Diddy's bail, and his sentencing is tentatively set for October 3, though his defense is pushing for an earlier date.
Related:
If you're confused about how the not-guilty verdicts came to be, BuzzFeed spoke to attorney Adanté Pointer (Pointer & Buelna) for his perspective, which you can check out here.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here.
Here's How Celebrities Are Reacting To The Diddy VerdictLeyla Mohammed · July 3, 2025
Here's Why Diddy Was Found "Not Guilty" On A Bunch Of Charges, According To An ExpertNatasha Jokic · July 3, 2025
Cassie's Lawyer Has Released A Statement Following The Diddy VerdictKelby Vera · July 2, 2025
Also in Celebrity:
Also in Celebrity:
Also in Celebrity:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
28 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Human remains located after California fireworks warehouse explosion
Investigators have located human remains following an explosion at a Northern California fireworks warehouse, Yolo County said in a statement Friday. Seven were missing after the Tuesday fireworks explosion near Esparto, which gripped the small farming community. It sparked a massive fire that led to other spot fires. Nearby Fourth of July celebrations were called off.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Human Remains Found at Site of Calif. Fireworks Explosion Days After 7 People Were Reported Missing
Local authorities in northern California have discovered human remains at the site of a fireworks facility that exploded earlier this week Officials said in a statement released on Friday, July 4, that "no positive identifications have been made" The deadly incident took place on Tuesday, July 1, at around 6 p.m. local time, PEOPLE previously reported, and seven people were unaccounted for after the blastLocal authorities in northern California have discovered human remains at the site of a fireworks facility explosion days after the deadly incident first occurred. Yolo County officials announced the grim discovery in a statement on Friday, July 4, three days after the explosion and fire broke out on the evening of Tuesday, July 1. Workers from the Yolo County Coroner's Division accessed the site after it was confirmed to be safe and discovered the remains during a recovery operation, according to a statement from multiple emergency response agencies. "At this time, no positive identifications have been made," an official wrote in the release. Seven people remained unaccounted for following the incident, PEOPLE previously reported. "Recovery efforts are expected to continue throughout the weekend as investigators, coroner personnel, and fire crews work carefully and respectfully through the process," the statement said. "The Coroner's Office has been in contact with the families of those previously reported missing." Arson and bomb investigators from CAL FIRE's Office of the State Fire Marshal are leading the ongoing investigation. "Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel," a spokesperson for the company operating the facility, Devastating Pyrotechnics, said in an online statement. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation," the spokesperson added. Marisol Ramos told NBC News earlier this week that her three sons worked at the site and have been missing since the explosion occurred. 'Let us do it,' Ramos said as she begged authorities to let her look for her adult children. 'I'm willing to go in … I want to search for my kids.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Families in Ocean Park embrace historical, festive Fourth of July celebration
Jul. 4—OCEAN PARK — Isabella Chute, 11, shuffled across a handmade wooden stage fashioned to a trailer while her family distributed buckets and American flags in preparation for Friday's Fourth of July parade. Her red and blue dress, which doubles as her solo costume for her dance team in Gray, glittered in the sunshine as she tapped across the board to an instrumental version of Tom Petty's "American Girl." Isabella had been practicing her tap routine for days ahead of Ocean Park's annual Fourth of July celebration. She and her brother, 7-year-old Kurtis, have watched the parade every summer with their grandparents, Pam and Jeff, who live in Ocean Park year-round. But Friday marked the first time the family from New Gloucester made a float. Like many families who visit the coastal village nestled in Old Orchard Beach, four generations of Isabella's family have spent summers in Ocean Park, said her mother, Cindy. A few groups of people wearing matching T-shirts carried banners through the parade, showing off their family's historical homes that have been around for decades. "The Fourth of July itself has built upon years and years of tradition," said Dennis LeBlanc, 79, who has visited the community every summer since 1992. Some paradegoers described Friday's celebration as a mix of Halloween and Independence Day. Hundreds of people lined Temple Street, awaiting candy and clapping, while various community groups — including a kazoo band — marched down the streets. Among the patriotic red, white and blue, some people wore inflatable dinosaur costumes, "Wicked"-themed outfits and superhero attire. "Anything goes," said Michele Bouchard, who was gearing up to drive a pirate-themed golf cart with skeletons stuck to the top. Harper, 8, and Nolan and Henry, both 5, sat in the back seat of the cart, wearing eye patches and golden temporary tattoos. This year marked the family's sixth summer visiting Ocean Park and their second year in the parade, she said. They've already started planning the decorations for next year's "Jaws" theme, Harper said. After the parade ended, Dennis LeBlanc and his wife, Maggie, found a shady bench in a park to relax. A few blocks away, dozens of people folded up their beach chairs and stayed outside, socializing on their wraparound porches and in their driveways. Maggie LeBlanc, 79, said she and her husband always visit their second home during the Fourth of July, which falls just around the time they're ready to get away from their home in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Dennis LeBlanc said he was introduced to Ocean Park in the 1970s by his mentor, a retired minister who invited him to his cottage. The historic community, which is affiliated with the Free Will Baptists, has expanded to include community programming, a temple for nondenominational Christian worship and more families who live there during the summer. "As soon as I came up here, the place was different," he said. "I could kind of feel it." As the summers pass, the LeBlancs have noticed the vintage cars cruising the parade route getting newer. They've seen people tearing down old cottages to build taller, more expensive homes. They feel deeper political polarization — even the colors red, white and blue "feel different to me now," Maggie LeBlanc said. But in the summers, she said Ocean Park is where people leave their egos and politics behind. "It's one of the few places in our world, I think, that there isn't a competition, divisiveness — at least for the day," Dennis LeBlanc said. "It's the way we wish the world outside of here could be. It's simple, caring, kind." Copy the Story Link
