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Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Major update in Diddy sentencing just days after rapper found guilty of prostitution but cleared of more serious charges
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SENTENCING date for Sean "Diddy" Combs has been set after the music mogul was convicted of two prostitution-related charges at his high-profile trial. Combs, who was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, will be sentenced on October 3. 3 A courtroom sketch, showed Sean Combs' reaction after he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges Credit: AP 3 Sean Combs' mother, Janice (C), and his several of his children and family member depart the US District Courthouse after the verdicts were read on July 2 Credit: AFP or licensors 3 Combs attends Day 1 of 2023 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta in August 2023 Credit: Getty Combs faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence - 10 years for each count of transportation to engage in prostitution. However, federal prosecutors have said they would seek a 5 to 3 year sentence. The time Combs has already served in jail, which will be over a year since his arrest in September 2024, would be credited to the ultimate sentence the judge imposes. Combs' defense team initially sought to expedite Combs' sentencing after Judge Arun Subramanian, who presided over the seven-week trial, denied to release the Bad Boy Records founder, 55, on bail. Read more in The U.S. Sun ALL SMILES Diddy's 'phantom fixer' breaks cover just hours after his racketeering acquittal In a letter to Judge Subramanian, Marc Agnifilo, Combs' lead attorney, requested a September 22 sentencing date before eventually agreeing to October 3 - the date the judge initially set for sentencing. It's unclear why the defense abandoned its efforts to expedite Combs' sentencing. Combs will remain housed in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn while he awaits sentencing. SHOCKING VERDICT A jury acquitted Combs of the most serious charges he faced - racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking in regards to Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura and "Jane," a pseudonym used for one of Combs' ex-girlfriends. The music executive fell to his knees in prayer after the jury foreperson read the stunning verdict to the courtroom on July 2. In their blistering 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." Diddy trial witness 'The Punisher' reveals battle against 'storm of negativity' after taking part in freak-offs "He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law," Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik said, adding, "It was his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him." 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 coerced his ex-girlfriends to participate in with male escorts. Slavik described to jurors how Combs forced his former lovers Ventura and "Jane" into participating in the punishing sex marathons and with the help of an inner circle of "loyal lieutenants" covered up the alleged crimes. 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. On the other hand, Combs' defense team slammed the prosecution's case as an attack on "your bedroom" and one's sex life. Agnifilo, Combs' lead attorney, 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." "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.' More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Major update in Diddy sentencing just days after rapper found guilty of prostitution but cleared of more serious charges
A SENTENCING date for Sean "Diddy" Combs has been set after the music mogul was convicted of two prostitution-related charges at his high-profile trial. 3 A courtroom sketch, showed Sean Combs' reaction after he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges Credit: AP 3 Sean Combs' mother, Janice (C), and his several of his children and family member depart the US District Courthouse after the verdicts were read on July 2 Credit: AFP or licensors 3 Combs attends Day 1 of 2023 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta in August 2023 Credit: Getty Combs faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence - 10 years for each count of transportation to engage in prostitution. However, federal prosecutors have said they would seek a 5 to 3 year sentence. The time Combs has already served in jail, which will be over a year since his arrest in September 2024, would be credited to the ultimate sentence the judge imposes. Combs' defense team initially sought to expedite Combs' sentencing after Judge Arun Subramanian, who presided over the seven-week trial, Read more in The U.S. Sun In a letter to Judge Subramanian, Marc Agnifilo, Combs' lead attorney, requested a September 22 sentencing date before eventually agreeing to October 3 - the date the judge initially set for sentencing. It's unclear why the defense abandoned its efforts to expedite Combs' sentencing. Combs will remain housed in the notorious SHOCKING VERDICT A jury acquitted Most read in Celebrity The music executive fell to his knees in prayer after the jury foreperson read the stunning verdict to the courtroom on July 2. In their blistering 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." Diddy trial witness 'The Punisher' reveals battle against 'storm of negativity' after taking part in freak-offs "He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law," Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik said, adding, "It was his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him." 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" into participating in the punishing sex marathons and with the help of an inner circle of "loyal lieutenants" covered up the alleged crimes. 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. On the other hand, Combs' Agnifilo, Combs' lead attorney, 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." "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.' More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Failure to sequester Diddy trial jury was a mistake, legal expert argues
Jury deliberations in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal trial for sex crimes continued to hit roadblocks Tuesday as the court dealt with more notes from the jurors. Multiple notes were sent back from the jury throughout the roughly six hours of deliberations so far. By Tuesday morning, the jury had sent the court three notes of substance. The case against Diddy is proving to be a 'rare nail-biter' for the prosecution, according to Fox News contributor Paul Mauro. 'The Southern District's conviction rate is well-north of 90%. They don't take cases to lose them,' the retired NYPD inspector told Fox News Digital. 'That said, the Diddy case has some real challenges. In the end, the evidence came down to how coerced the female victims were. As these women reached out affirmatively to Diddy, were they suffering a version of battered wife syndrome? Or was the entire thing transactional?' 'Further: Without that sexual activity, will the drug and weapons allegations suffice to demonstrate an actual racketeering entity? This is a rare nail-biter for SDNY – far from a slam-dunk. And the possibility of a split verdict here, at the least, is very real.' 3 Sean 'Diddy' Combs attends Day 1 of 2023 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 26, 2023. Getty Images On Monday, before court ended for the day, the jury sent a note asking 'If a recipient asks for a controlled substance, and another person hands it over to them, are they distributing?' Judge Arun Subramanian chose to send a note back to the jury Tuesday morning as deliberations resumed. He pointed the group to page 37 of the charge document, which explained the law behind the distribution of drugs allegation. Diddy took notes while the prosecution, defense and judge discussed what to respond to the jury's note asking for clarification on drug distribution. The rapper mostly looked at the judge during the short court session. He occasionally looked at defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, seated to his right. Diddy also glanced over to his other lawyers, Teny Geragos and Alexandra Shapiro, seated to his left. Combs and his lawyer, Xavier Donaldson, chatted a bit with some smiles afterward. Diddy spoke with the defense lawyer for a few minutes. Before leaving the courtroom, Diddy waved to his mother and another woman in the family row. He told his mother to 'just relax' and then said he liked her outfit, which was a green and white patterned blouse. Problems within the jury could have been avoided, according to attorney David S. Seltzer, who told Fox News Digital that simply sequestering the jurors throughout the duration of the seven-week trial could have prevented additional issues reaching a verdict. 'I don't see how people are not influenced by outside factors,' Seltzer said. 'We live in a technology world where everyone wants their information now. I know the jury was instructed not to read anything, but I don't think that was realistic given the length of the trial.' Seltzer noted that not sequestering the jury was a mistake. 'I have been saying from day one that it is impossible to tell people to stay off media and/or computers for six weeks-plus, when people are addicted to their devices. I think the court is relying on the admonishment, but respectfully turning a blind eye.' The jury sent two notes to the court throughout the five and a half hours of deliberations on Monday. The first note from the jury claimed one juror could not follow Judge Arun Subramanian's instructions. After a lengthy discussion on what to send back to the jury, Judge Subramanian adopted the language for the note proposed by the prosecution. The note sent read, 'I received your note. I remind every juror of their duty to deliberate and their obligation to follow my instruction on the law. With that instruction in mind, please continue deliberating.' The note also explained not to include specific details about deliberations in any future notes. 'Courts will always push a jury to get to a unanimous verdict, but at the end of the day, it is up to the jury if they think they can get there,' Seltzer noted. 'Often times when there are issues within the jury, they cannot get there, and it ends up in a hung jury.' 3 Criminal defense attorney Mercedes Colwin. FOX News Right before the end of the court day, the jury asked for clarification regarding the alleged distribution of drugs. 'If a recipient asks for a controlled substance, and another person hands it over to them, are they distributing?' The judge told the court that the jury would be given an answer on Tuesday. While sequestering a jury — essentially isolating the 12 jurors and six alternates assigned to the case from the outside world — can be challenging, the process may prove to be essential in eliminating external influences. Albany-based criminal defense attorney Paul DerOhannesian explained to Fox News Digital that jurors may have been swayed by the Internet and access to social media. 'Unfortunately, courts are reluctant to utilize one of the few tools historically used to inoculate jurors against external sources of information during a trial or deliberations — sequestration,' DerOhannesian said. 'We did see sequestration of the jury in the Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson trials. Sequestration in a federal trial is virtually non-existent in recent history.' Another high-profile case where the jury was not sequestered was Karen Read's retrial. Jurors found Read not guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of a lesser offense of operating a vehicle under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or greater. 'I think the lack of sequestration favors the defense,' Seltzer told Fox News Digital. 'The media/coverage in the Karen Read trial, as I saw it, was pro-defense. The trial was very technical and not something that favors a prosecution case. The Diddy trial, while not technical, it was much of the same from all the witnesses and the media was not very favorable to the prosecution in meeting their burden.' DerOhannesian said he wouldn't 'necessarily compare the Combs and Read trials. However, I would note Read benefited from some favorable publicity and information, particularly concerning the integrity of the investigation.' John J. Perlstein, a Los Angeles litigator, admitted it would be 'naïve to believe that jurors universally adhere to these instructions and not read up on the situation they find themselves in.' 'I don't believe that any jury needs to be sequestered unless it is a safety concern,' Perlstein added. 'The instructions are what they are. The jurors are admonished daily, and all one can hope is that they abide.' Diddy remained in the courtroom for about 20 minutes after the judge decided to provide the jury with the government's proposed response to their first letter. He was sitting at the defense table with his attorneys. On his way out of the courtroom, he held up the two books he had with him. One is, 'The Power of Positive Thinking.' The other is 'The Happiness Advantage.' 3 Prosecutors began closing arguments Thursday with a focus on Diddy's alleged stance as the leader of a criminal enterprise, a point they've attempted to drive home to the jurors with more than 30 witness testimonies. REUTERS The jury was sent to deliberate around 11:30 a.m. ET by the federal judge after lengthy instructions. Authorities charged Diddy with racketeering, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face life in prison. A 12-person jury comprised of eight men and four women will make the decision on whether to convict Diddy of federal crimes or let the fallen music mogul walk free following a seven-week trial. Prosecutors began closing arguments Thursday with a focus on Diddy's alleged stance as the leader of a criminal enterprise, a point they've attempted to drive home to the jurors with more than 30 witness testimonies. The rapper's defense team, headed by Marc Agnifilo, argued Friday that the prosecution's evidence proved that the government was unfairly targeting Diddy and insisted he was innocent of the charges. If found guilty, the rapper faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Diddy has maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
50 Cent Repeatedly Mocks Diddy: 'Should Have Took the Plea Offer'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sean 'Diddy' Combs' is being trolled about his sex trafficking trial by long-time adversary 50 Cent, who has mocked Combs on social media for not accepting a plea deal. Combs was arrested in September and denies multiple charges in what is one of the most high-profile celebrity trials in recent memory. Newsweek has reached out to representatives for 50 Cent and Combs via email for comment. Why It Matters A five-count indictment consisting of racketeering conspiracy, two charges of sex trafficking and two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution has been brought against Combs by federal prosecutors. The charges in the indictment stem from alleged crimes spanning from 2004 to 2024. If convicted, Combs faces life in prison. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all criminal counts and denies any wrongdoing. L: 50 Cent performs onstage during Nicki Minaj Presents: Pink Friday 2 World Tour at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2024 in New York City, R: Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Day 1 of 2023... L: 50 Cent performs onstage during Nicki Minaj Presents: Pink Friday 2 World Tour at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2024 in New York City, R: Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Day 1 of 2023 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. More byfor Live Nation/Combs and 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, have been engaged in a feud since the early 2000s, and Jackson has regularly shared his thoughts on Combs arrest and trial. What To Know In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Jackson shared a photo of himself, which appears as though it was AI-generated, wearing a suit on the street in New York City. "Down on your luck, not feeling good today? Well look at the bright side you could be Diddy," he wrote in the caption. The post has been liked over 315,000 times as of reporting. On Wednesday, Jackson shared another post to Instagram, saying: "After listening to today's testimony, I think the diddler should have took [sic] the plea offer. The s*** they are saying is beyond me, so what do ya think?" On May 1st, 2025, Combs formally rejected the US government's offer to plead guilty. Asked by the judge Arun Subramanian if he rejected the plea deal from the prosecution, he replied, "Yes, I do, your honor." In another post, shared on Tuesday, Jackson commented on the accusations shared by Cassie Venture, Combs' ex-girlfriend. Ventura, who is testifying in the trial, recalled the alleged abuse she faced at the hands of Combs during her first day of testifying as a witness. At one point during the testimony she gave, Ventura alleged that Combs had forced her to climb into an inflatable pool filled with baby oil. Jackson addressed this in his Instagram post. He shared a screenshot of an article from People magazine, which reported on Ventura's allegations. He wrote "This s*** crazier than regular crazy." What People Are Saying Combs' lawyers, in a statement to CBS News New York last month: "These are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion." What's Next The trial is expected to last between eight and ten weeks.
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Diddy's lawyer slammed by judge for calling prosecutors a ‘six-pack of white women'
The judge overseeing Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial ripped a member of his family's legal team Tuesday — after the lawyer griped on his podcast about the all-women team of prosecutors in the case. 'This is ridiculous,' Judge Arun Subramanian said during a behind-closed-doors dressing down of Mark Geragos, who represents Combs' mother and has been seen huddling with the embattled hip-mogul's lawyers, a court transcript shows. Geragos drew the judge's ire for calling the all women prosecution team 'a six-pack of white women' on a recent episode of a podcast he hosts with TMZ founder Harvey Levin. Advertisement 3 Attorneys Mark Geragos and Bryan Freedman, R, leave the Van Nuys West Courthouse, April 17, 2025. Barbara Davidson / NYPost 'I think referring to the prosecution in this case as a six-pack of white women is outrageous,' Subramanian told Geragos, according to the transcript obtained by The Post. 'This would not be tolerated in any court from any lawyer anywhere across the nation,' the jurist added to the veteran attorney. Advertisement Geragos has repped several celebrity clients over the years, including Michael Jackson and Hunter Biden. He's not listed as a lawyer on Combs' case but revealed Tuesday that he's working for Combs' mother, Janice, in an undisclosed matter. He's been spotted observing the first two days of jury selection in a section of the Manhattan federal courtroom reserved for Combs' friends and family. Geragos' daughter, Teny Geragos, is a member of Combs' defense team at the firm Agnifilo Intrater LLP. The judge's lambasting of Mark Geragos Tuesday morning ended on a lighter note, with the jurist noting that he would be listening to future episodes of the podcast to make sure the attorney did not make similar further comments. Advertisement 3 Sean 'Diddy' Combs attends Day 1 of 2023 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images 3 Sean 'Diddy' Combs sits before US District Judge Arun Subramanian as jury selection continued at his sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, on May 6, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS 'I'm going to be watching and I'm going to be listening. All right? You have one more listener for your podcast,' the judge said. 'As long as you subscribe, I'm all for it,' Geragos replied. Advertisement Combs, 55, faces up to life in prison on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. Jury selection resumes Wednesday. Mark Geragos could not immediately be reached Tuesday night.
