Sean ‘Diddy' Combs guilty and acquitted: Split verdict explained, what the charges really mean
What the Jury Decided; and What They Didn't
Over 28 days of courtroom proceedings, jurors heard from a string of witnesses, including Combs' former partner Cassie Ventura, hotel staff, and even male sex workers allegedly involved in infamous 'freak-off' parties. According to reports from CNN and Courthouse News, the 55-year-old Bad Boy Records founder displayed mixed emotions during the verdict — subtly pumping his fist after being acquitted of the sex trafficking charges, but also bowing his head in visible relief.
The jury ultimately ruled that Combs was not guilty of:
Racketeering conspiracy (Count 1)
Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion pertaining to Cassie (Count 2)
Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion pertaining to 'Jane,' another woman (Count 4)
However, he was found guilty on:
Transportation to engage in prostitution related to Cassie and sex workers (Count 3)
Transportation to engage in prostitution related to Jane and sex workers (Count 5)
According to federal law 18 U.S.C. § 2421, this offense involves knowingly transporting someone across state or international lines to engage in prostitution, and does not require the force or coercion necessary to prove sex trafficking under 18 U.S.C. § 1591. The maximum penalty for each count is 10 years, placing Combs at risk of up to 20 years in prison.
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Why Guilty on Some Charges and Not Others?
Many were confused by the apparent contradiction in the verdict — guilty of transporting the same women for prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking them. The distinction lies in the legal thresholds.
As per Cornell Law School's interpretation of U.S. code, sex trafficking charges require proof of force, fraud, or coercion in addition to the transport of victims. Transportation for prostitution, on the other hand, only necessitates evidence of movement across borders with intent — no coercion needs to be proven if the victim is an adult.
This means that while the jury did not find enough evidence to prove that Combs forced or manipulated the women into commercial sex acts, they were convinced that he played a direct role in transporting them for those acts to occur.
Emotional Reactions Inside the Courtroom
Reports from CNN detail a visibly reactive Diddy during the reading of the verdict. He reportedly sat with his hands in his lap and shook his head upon hearing the guilty counts. When Judge Arun Subramanian questioned if he wanted to return to New York's Metropolitan Detention Center, Combs is said to have vigorously shaken his head in protest, hands pressed together in a prayerful gesture.
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Outside the courtroom, his former partner Cassie Ventura's legal team spoke out. Cassie had filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, and later testified in court about the abuse she allegedly endured. Her attorney Douglas Wigdor, speaking to Sky News, said that while the jury didn't convict Combs of sex trafficking, her bravery 'paved the way' for the guilty verdicts on the prostitution-related charges. 'Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,' Wigdor noted.
What's Next for Diddy?
While Diddy is no longer staring down a life sentence, he still faces the possibility of up to two decades behind bars. Prosecutors have already announced they will seek the maximum sentence. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has requested Combs' release until sentencing, arguing that his client no longer faces the most severe penalties, but the court has not yet made a final ruling.
In the meantime, Diddy's troubles are far from over. As previously reported by Radar Online, several civil suits are still pending, and attorney Tony Buzbee has suggested that more are on the way.
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