Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of most serious charges, convicted on prostitution count
The mixed result came on the third day of deliberations. It could still send Combs, 55, to prison for as long as a decade, and is likely to end his career as a hitmaking music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.
But the verdict cleared him of charges that could have put one of hip-hop's most celebrated figures behind bars for life.
After they read the verdict, Combs held his hands up in a prayer motion, looking at jury and hugged his defence lawyer Teny Geragos.
Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.
But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.
Combs and his defence team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.
After the verdict was read, Combs continued to pump his right fist subtly, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.
Judge weighs whether to grant bail
US District Judge Arun Subramanian was weighing whether to grant Combs bail in the wake of the verdict. He adjourned the court while he considers whether to free Combs on bail.
Combs, 55, has been behind bars since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the acquittal on the most serious counts changed the legal landscape enough that he should get bail.
Combs seemed buoyant arriving in the courtroom earlier Wednesday morning, a contrast to his mood a day earlier after he learned that the jury at his sex trafficking trial had reached a yet-to-be-disclosed verdict on all but one of the five charges.
Combs smiled and clasped his hands together in the air toward his family and supporters before hugging several of his lawyers and sitting down to await the outcome of the jury's third day of deliberations.
On Tuesday, Subramanian ordered the jury to continue its closed-door discussions for a third day after the panel of eight men and four women said it was unable to reach consensus on the top count: racketeering conspiracy.
01:46
The judge agreed with prosecutors and Combs' defence team that less than 13 hours of deliberations was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts.
'Unpersuadable opinions'
In a note to the court late Tuesday, the jury said 'unpersuadable opinions on both sides' among some jurors had prevented the group from reaching a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge.
The disclosure of Tuesday's jury note about the partial verdict had seemed to put defence attorneys and their client in a dour mood even before it was read in open court by the judge.
Eight defence lawyers formed a half-circle behind Combs as the smiles and lighthearted mood that accompanied the arrival of other jury notes over two days seemed absent as the attorneys contemplated the possibility that jurors had reached agreement on counts that carry the heaviest sentencing penalties.
Combs appeared morose as his lawyers spoke with him. At one point, the hip-hop mogul solemnly read a piece of paper that attorney Marc Agnifilo handed to him.
After the jury came in for instructions and then exited the room, a subdued Combs sat in his chair for a few minutes. As he stood to leave, he faced his relatives and supporters in the audience, blew a kiss and tapped his heart, as he frequently has done at the start and end of each day.
Then he paused before his mother and exchanged a few words, telling her, 'Love you' and 'I'll be all right.'
Marshals then led him from the room.
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Euronews
3 days ago
- Euronews
Celebrity reactions to split Diddy verdict: ‘I'm gonna vomit'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs was convicted yesterday of a prostitution-related offense but acquitted of more serious counts that could have put him behind bars for life. Combs, 55, could still face a maximum of 10 years in prison. He was denied bail after being convicted, as prosecutors said Combs remains a flight risk. A hearing has been set by the judge for 8 July to discuss the sentencing process. The verdict has drawn divided reactions by his fellow celebrities. 'Oh, this makes me physically ill,' said singer Aubrey O'Day, formerly of the music group Danity Kane, on her Instagram story as she watched the verdicts come in. "Cassie probably feels so horrible. I'm gonna vomit.' Danity Kane formed on Combs' MTV reality television program 'Making the Band' and signed to his Bad Boy Records. O'Day posted a separate statement: 'The cultural weight of this decision is immeasurable. It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experiences with Sean Combs - only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of a jury." She added: "I can only hope these jurors never have to watch someone they love endure what so many survivors have described.' Une publication partagée par Rosie O'Donnell (@rosie) 'I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion, wow,' wrote actress Rosie O'Donnell on Instagram. 'This decision got me angry.' Grammy-nominated singer Kesha posted the following in solitary with Cassie Ventura, Combs ex-girlfriend who testified as a witness: 'Cassie, I believe you. I love you. Your strength is a beacon for every survivor.' Kesha had previously announced that she was changing the lyric in her 2010 hit 'TiK ToK' to 'fuck P. Diddy' from the original 'feeling like P. Diddy' after the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct were leveled against Combs. Elsewhere, rapper 50 Cent, who has been a vocal critic of Combs and previously said that he would reach out to Donald Trump to prevent a Diddy pardon, posted: "Diddy beat the (RICO charge), that boy a bad man !" alongside an artificial intelligence-generated photo of himself. He also mocked Diddy and compared him to mobster John Gotti. Une publication partagée par 50 Cent (@50cent) Conversely, rapper Boosie BadAzz said in an Instagram video captioned 'GREAT DAY N HIP HOP" that the courts had spoken. 'I'm tired of seeing us Black moguls get took down like that," he said. He added that he was "tired of seeing us Black people go against us Black moguls like that.' Also on Diddy's side where some crowds outside the courthouse. Some of Combs' fans expressed enthusiasm by covering themselves in baby oil, a controversial item referenced throughout the sex-crimes case. Thousands of bottles of baby oil and lubricant were among the paraphernalia discovered during the federal raids of Combs' homes in March 2024. In one crass celebration, a woman danced around while a man poured baby oil on her – a tasteless homage to an activity at Combs' so-called 'freak-offs' and 'hotel nights.' However, the general consensus online is one of dismay. "The verdict for Diddy is a message to all women that they are not believed. Sorry to the women out there," wrote an X user. "The victims especially, they deserved better."
France 24
3 days ago
- France 24
Sean Combs: music pioneer, entrepreneur -- and convicted felon
"Larger than life," said witnesses over and over -- his accusers included. And that he was, until it all came crashing down. The music and entertainment titan known for his legendary A-list "white parties" had multiple mansions, a private jet, a business empire and scores of accolades. Then in September 2024, he was arrested on sweeping charges including running a criminal ring that allowed him to commit harrowing sexual abuse. And after a two-month long courtroom saga, a jury of 12 New Yorkers on Wednesday found him guilty of two prostitution-related counts -- but acquitted him of more serious allegations of racketeering and sex trafficking. The outcome was not what prosecutors had hoped for -- a decisive conviction for grave crimes that could have kept him incarcerated for life. Nevertheless, even before the blockbuster proceedings began, Combs's reputation was in tatters. The 55-year-old still faces dozens of civil lawsuits in which he is accused of lurid abuse. And even his own team's defense came back to haunt him: the federal judge denied Combs bail as he awaits sentencing, reading back his attorneys' words in which they conceded again and again that he has a record of violence. Rebrands upon rebrands Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records whose proteges included the late Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, was known as a high-flying, smooth-talking kingpin who ushered hip-hop from the underground to bottle-service clubs. He was continuously rebranding -- his monikers include "Puff Daddy," "P Diddy" and, more recently, "Brother Love." Court proceedings revealed a much seedier side, casting him as a violent, domineering boss whose inner circle helped him live life with impunity. Even before his arrest, the mushrooming accusations and legal action left many of his businesses reeling. There were symbolic measures as well: the city of New York had rescinded the honorary key they had bestowed upon him. But as was clear outside the courthouse throughout the proceedings, he still has a loyal fan base, especially in the city where he made his name. Party boy and hip-hop mogul Born Sean John Combs on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, the artist entered the industry as an intern in 1990 at Uptown Records where he eventually became a talent director. He gained clout as a party planner, which would remain central to his brand. In 1991, he promoted a celebrity basketball game and concert at the City College of New York that ended in a stampede, leaving nine people dead. The event was over-capacity by the thousands and resulted in a string of lawsuits, with Combs blamed for hiring inadequate security. He was fired from Uptown, and founded his own label, Bad Boy Records. Thus began his quick ascent to the top of East Coast hip-hop. The Notorious B.I.G. became the genre's king following the release of his landmark debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994, up until his shock murder in 1997. Combs boasted a number of major signed acts and production collaborations with the likes of Blige, Usher, Lil' Kim, TLC, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men. He was also a Grammy-winning rapper in his own right, debuting with the chart-topping single "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and his album "No Way Out." The smash hit single "I'll Be Missing You" was a tribute to Biggie. His other major tracks included "It's All About The Benjamins" and "Been Around the World." He built an image as a brash hustler with unapologetic swagger, a major producer who also ventured into Hollywood, reality television and fashion. He was known as a ladies' man -- he had a high-profile relationship with Jennifer Lopez. 'Next chapters' As recently as 2023, Combs was still on top of the world -- releasing a new album and taking a victory lap as he accepted lifetime honors including a "global icon" award from MTV. But his star plummeted rapidly in November of that year, when his former partner of 11 years, Casandra Ventura, filed a civil suit with a litany of allegations including a 2018 rape. Combs settled the suit almost immediately, but months later, it became clear that federal investigators were trailing him. His mansions were raided and many possessions seized. Then came his arrest and, nearly eight months later, his high-stakes federal trial. Combs's defense conceded that he committed brutal violence. But they insisted that those instances did not amount to the extensive charges he faced -- and won. Combs routinely brought self-help books or Bible passages with him to the courtroom, and his lawyers argue he's an evolving man. He has six adult children, and a two-year-old named Love Sean Combs. "He's been given his life back," his attorney Marc Agnifilo said Wednesday. "He's going to have next chapters of his life." © 2025 AFP
Euronews
3 days ago
- Euronews
Diddy denied bail after mixed verdict clears him of top charges
Judge Arun Subramanian who presides over Sean Combs', better known as Diddy, sex trafficking and racketeering case has denied the rapper's request for release on bail as he awaits his sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled. Subramanian says Combs — for now — had not met the burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence a 'lack of danger to any person or the community.' Diddy dropped to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after he was acquitted on Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering, along with another charge, that could have put one of hip-hop's most well-known and celebrated figures behind bars for life. The two serious charges carry a mandatory sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. The rapper was however convicted of lesser prostitution-related offences. Jurors convicted the hip hop mogul of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars. The three-time Grammy award winner was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters. This violated a 115-year-old federal law called the Mann Act, which originally prohibited the interstate transport of a woman or girl for 'prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose." It was later updated to be gender-neutral and for any sexual activity "for which any person can be charged with a criminal offence.' Diddy's legal team however argued that under federal sentencing guidelines, he would likely face about two years in prison. Combs has been jailed since his September arrest, all of which will be credited and deducted from his future sentence. Prosecutors, citing Combs' violence, aggressive tendencies, abusive past and other factors, said the guidelines would call for at least four to five years. A hearing has been set by the judge for 8 July to discuss the sentencing process. Subramanian has proposed 3 October as a date for Diddy's final sentencing. The rapper's defence has requested an expedited decision.
