Diddy's lawyers call verdict 'great victory' even as music mogul is denied bail
His lawyers spoke about the verdict during a brief press conference outside the courthouse, reports Variety.
'Today's a great victory... 'It's a great victory for Sean Combs, it's a great victory for the jury system. One thing stands between all of us and a prison, and that is a jury of 12 citizens,' said Combs' lead counsel, Marc Agnifilo, adding that the jurors 'got the situation right—or, certainly, right enough.'
While Combs was convicted and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, he dodged sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have landed him behind bars for life.
Fellow defense attorney Teny Geragos also shared, 'Sean Combs has not sexually assaulted anybody. I've been saying that for months.
Attorney Nicole Westmoreland thanked the media and said she was 'proud' of Combs because he 'actually battled for his freedom'. Her co-counsel Xavier Donaldson said 'the job is not done yet', but the defense team refused to answer whether they would appeal the judge's denial of bail.
While not giving specifics, Agnifilo said that they are "not nearly done fighting', adding that they will not stop fighting 'until he walks out of prison a free man to his family.'
The jury delivered the mixed verdict Wednesday morning, after a grueling eight-week trial in which 34 witnesses, including ex-girlfriends and former employees, accused Combs of crimes ranging from kidnapping to arson to rape and physical assault.
Upon hearing the verdict, Combs pumped his fist and mouthed 'thank you' at the jurors. More about the verdict
Sean Diddy Combs was found guilty on Wednesday of prostitution-related offences, 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.
He 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. Prosecutors say Combs, for two decades, used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed.
During raids of Combs' homes, authorities found drugs and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant that he would use in the performances, prosecutors said. Combs, 55, had pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
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