Diddy faces life sentence as jury deliberates in sex-trafficking trial
Combs, who denies all charges, could spend the rest of his life behind bars if he is found guilty. Deliberations began on Monday, but things took an unexpected turn when the jury passed two notes to the presiding judge.
During the trial at the Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan, which began on May 5, the jury heard from 34 witnesses - including celebrities like Kid Cudi and Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie.
In last week's closing statements, federal prosecutors and Combs' defence team made their final pitches to the jury.
Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik contended: "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted. He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law."
She charged him with depending on a "close inner circle and a small army of personal staff, who made it their mission to meet the defendant's every desire, promote his power and protect his reputation at all costs."
However, Combs' defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo hit back at these allegations, stating: "This isn't about crime. It's about money." He highlighted that one of the accusers had also launched a civil lawsuit against Combs.
Agnifilo stood up for his client, saying: "He is not a racketeer. He is not a conspirator to commit racketeering. He is none of these things. He is innocent. He sits there innocent. Return him to his family, who have been waiting for him," as he appealed to the jury.
The jury's note-passing could be a positive sign for Combs, suggests Mitch Epner, a New York-based lawyer and former prosecutor.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: "First, it is unusual for the jurors to send a note to the judge this early, other than asking for logistical help. Second, this note indicates that there may already be a breakdown in the deliberative process,".
A unanimous decision is required for a conviction, and the specific concerns about juror number 25 and their difficulty following the judge's instructions are yet to be disclosed.
Epner pointed out that while a juror can be dismissed for not participating in discussions, they cannot be removed simply for "having come to a fixed conclusion about the proper verdict".
Deliberations began on Monday, but took an unexpected twist when two notes were passed to the presiding judge from the jury.
The first note expressed a juror's difficulty in understanding the lengthy 61-page instructions given by the judge before deliberations began.
Despite this, Judge Arun Subramanian insisted that jurors must strictly follow his directions, even if it meant extending the deliberation process.
A few hours later, the second note requested further clarification on the section about drug distribution within the instructions - a crucial point in Combs' racketeering conspiracy charge. This query was addressed and deliberations continued, with rumours suggesting a verdict might be reached by this afternoon (UK time).
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