Diddy sex trafficking trial jury reaches verdict on all but ONE charge after just 13 hours of deliberation
Judge Arun Subramanian received a letter from the jury at around 4:40 pm informing the court that the jury reached a verdict on counts 2, 3, 4, and 5, which are the sex trafficking and transportation for engaging in prostitution charges.
Advertisement
4
Sean 'Diddy' Combs listens as lead prosecutor Maurene Comey makes rebuttal arguments for the government on June 27
Credit: Reuters
4
Diddy performs onstage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey in September 2023
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
4
Sean Combs huddled with his defense team in court on June 30
Credit: Reuters
4
Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura sobbed on the stand during her testimony, which went on for four-days
Credit: Reuters
The jury note said that jurors have not been able to reach a verdict on count 1, which is the racketeering conspiracy crime.
In closing arguments, prosecutors described Combs as the "leader of a criminal enterprise" who used his expansive "wealth, power, violence, and fear to get what he wanted."
"He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law," Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik said.
"It was his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him."
Advertisement
The core evidence of the prosecution's case was the disturbing and graphic nature of the drug-fueled "freak-offs" that at times Combs allegedly
Slavik described to jurors how Combs forced his former lovers
Ventura and Jane were sometimes required to perform the lewd acts, which were also called "hotel nights and wild king nights," while they were hurting from urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to prosecutors.
Advertisement
Most read in Celebrity
On the other hand, Combs'
'They go into the man's bedroom. They go into the man's most private life. Where is the crime scene? The crime scene is your private sex life. That's the crime scene," Marc Agnifilo, Combs' lead defense attorney, said during closing arguments.
Agnifilo summarized the seven-week trial as a "tale of two trials," arguing one side is the one told by the evidence of the case, by witnesses, videos, and text messages, and the other was a "badly, badly, exaggerated" story told by prosecutors.
The defense attorney argued the sexual encounters involving Combs, Ventura, "Jane," and male escorts were consensual, and called the "freak-offs," which were sometimes video recorded, "homemade porn."
Advertisement
"You want to call it swingers, you want to call it threesomes, whatever you want to call it, that is what it is - that's what the evidence shows," Agnifilo told the jury.
"He did what he did. But he's going to fight to the death to defend himself from what he didn't do," Agnifilo told the jury.
Read our live blog of the verdict of Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial...
By
Jury has reached a verdict on some of the charges
The jury has reached a verdict on the sex trafficking and transportation for engaging in prostitution charges.
Copy link
Copied
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Rock band forced to cancel huge gigs as they issue apology to gutted fans, saying ‘this is a bitter pill to swallow'
A ROCK band has been forced to cancel huge gigs, as they issued an apology to their gutted fans. They told them 'this is a bitter pill to swallow,' while revealing the news on Wednesday. Advertisement 3 A rock band has been forced to cancel huge gigs, as they issued an apology to their gutted fans Credit: Alamy 3 The Murder Capital specified travel and financial uncertainties as the reason Credit: Getty - Contributor The Murder Capital have announced that they've cancelled their US and Canada tour dates, specifying travel and financial uncertainties as the reason. Posting on social media, the band said: 'With heavy hearts , we have to cancel our tour this autumn due to unforeseen financial challenges and the ongoing travel uncertainties. 'This is a bitter pill to swallow. We hope you know how much we wanted to be out there playing these shows for ye all.' They continued: 'Thank you to all our fans that bought tickets, we appreciate your support and can't wait to come back as soon as the time is right. Sending you all love in these strange times. Advertisement Read More on Rock Bands 'All our summer shows are on, we look forward to seeing everyone out there.' The Murder Capital are an Irish five-piece who released their third album in February of this year. They've since been touring the UK and Europe and they will perform in Spain on September 6, which will be their last show until November. Their tour will officially finish on November 22nd in Troyes, Advertisement Most read in Music Latest Fans have been left saddened by the news of their cancellation, as one wrote beneath the post: 'absolutely heartbroken omg :( will be waiting for the future tho!! Rock star devastated as he's diagnosed with 'very aggressive' cancer and shares snap from hospital bed Someone else said: 'so heartbroken but definitely here whenever you come back,' while others shared crying emojis. One sad fan wrote: 'This is the second time in you guys had to cancel your Canada show!!!' to which the band replied: 'Both times completely out of our control. Much love.' They were scheduled to tour the US and Canada in Autumn of this year, but have since clarified that those shows won't be played. Advertisement It comes after they had a string of shows cancelled during the German leg of their tour, after their set design showed a huge Palestinian flag hanging at the back. 3 It comes after they had a string of shows cancelled during the German leg of their tour Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Lily Allen admits she ‘can't remember' how many abortions she's had and says ‘I used to get pregnant all the time'
LILY Allen admitted she's lost count of the number of abortions she's had, and said she used to get pregnant "all the time". The singer, 40, opened up about pregnancies and motherhood to best pal Miquita Oliver, 41, on the latest edition of their podcast Advertisement 4 Lily Allen has spoken out about her abortion history Credit: YouTube / BBC Sounds 4 She has two children from her marriage with Sam Cooper Credit: Getty She said: "Yeah I'd get pregnant all the time, all the time." The provocative pop star then changed the lyrics to the Sinatra classic My Way, singing: "Abortions I've had a few... but then again... I can't remember exactly how many." Lily added: "I can't remember. I think maybe like, I want to say four or five." Advertisement READ MORE ON LILY ALLEN Former T4 presenter Miquita then chipped in, admitting she'd had the same amount. She said: Lily continued: "I remember once getting pregnant and the man paying for my abortion, and me thinking it was so romantic." Miquita agreed with her assessment, but Lily told her she has changed her opinion over time. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity She now views it as a prudent financial decision, saying: "No, I don't think it's generous or romantic. Think about that investment, like that's, how much is it? 500 quid. Kids are a lot more expensive." Both women shared their frustration at feeling abortion is a taboo topic that shouldn't be discussed publicly. Lily Allen seen on 'date' with actor James Norton at festival after joining dating app "I felt really embarrassed to even say that I had more than one abortion," said Miquita. "Why the f*** should I be ashamed? I have had a few." Lily said: "It actually irritates me, and I've said it before on the record. I've seen memes going around sometimes, on Instagram from pro-abortion accounts or whatever, whenever this conversation comes up, and suddenly you start seeing people posting things about extraordinary reasons for having an abortion. Advertisement "Like: 'My aunt had a kid that had this disability ,' or whatever, 'if she went full term it was going to kill her, so we have to.' It's like, shut up! "Just: 'I don't want a f***ing baby right now.' Literally: 'Don't want a baby' is enough reason." Lily's children - Ethel, 12, and Marnie, 11 - are from her relationship with ex-husband Sam Cooper. She came under fire last this year for saying that having Advertisement 4 Miquita Oliver said she's had the same number of abortions as pal Lily Credit: BBC 4 Lily is single after splitting from husband David Harbour in December Credit: Getty She said: 'I love them and they complete me, but in terms of pop stardom, they totally ruined it. 'I get really annoyed when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can't.' Advertisement Lily also opened up about her own childhood, calling it a "painful" time due to her film producer mum's career keeping her away from the family home. She said: "Did it have an effect on us as children? Yes it did. Do I hold that against her, no I don't - although it was pretty painful at the time." Lily continued: "People pitched in and they helped and I just don't think that sort of thing is available to us now." More recently, the Smile singer Advertisement She has been single since, but two weeks ago she was One onlooker said: 'James and looked very into each other and they were snogging backstage. 'We were all quite surprised to see them there together, let alone kissing. 'I don't think they've even known each other that long, but it was a fun hang-out backstage and they got taken away by the vibe.' Advertisement Abortion Laws in Different Countries The UK In England, Scotland and Wales abortions are allowed before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can be carried out after 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. The termination is only legal when performed by a licensed medical professional (a doctor) and it must also be signed off by two other doctors. Czech Republic Abortion can be legally performed up to 12 weeks for any reasons and up to 23 weeks for medical reasons. It can also be carried out at any point of pregnancy in cases of fetal abnormality. The US After the US Supreme Court overturned Roe V Wade, the national right to abortion has been abolished. Now the abortion laws are in the hands of each state. Abortion remains legal in 28 states, and In other states, abortion is illegal with rare exceptions such as rape or threat to life. As of January 2024, 14 states have completely banned abortions while two states - Georgia and South Carolina - have prohibited abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. France Abortion in France is legal until 14 weeks after conception. They can be performed at later stages if two doctors can certify that doing so will prevent harm or risk to the life of an expectant mother; or if a child will suffer from an incurable illness.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts, but found not guilty of more serious sex trafficking charges
Breaking | ©Associated Press Sean 'Diddy' Combs was found guilty on Wednesday of prostitution-related offenses, but cleared of more serious charges after a criminal trial in which two of the music mogul's former girlfriends testified that he physically and sexually abused them. Combs was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking, a partial win for the former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture.
