After weeks of high-profile courtroom drama, the jury has delivered its verdict in the federal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. While prosecutors had painted a picture of a powerful figure running a criminal enterprise, the jury didn’t fully agree. Here's how it all unfolded inside the courtroom—and what it means for Diddy going forward.
Jury Reaches Mixed Verdict in Diddy’s Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial
A federal jury on Wednesday reached a verdict in the highly watched trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, delivering a mixed outcome.
Diddy was found not guilty on the most serious charges: racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. However, he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act.
Breakdown of the Verdict:
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Count 1 – RICO (Racketeering Conspiracy): Not Guilty
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Count 2 – Sex Trafficking (Cassie Ventura): Not Guilty
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Count 3 – Mann Act Transportation (Cassie Ventura): Guilty
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Count 4 – Sex Trafficking (Jane Doe): Not Guilty
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Count 5 – Mann Act Transportation (Jane Doe): Guilty
Potential Sentencing:
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A RICO conviction can carry up to 20 years.
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Transportation to engage in prostitution may result in up to 10 years per count.
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Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion may carry up to 20 years.
Although Diddy avoided the most serious penalties, the guilty verdicts could still bring significant consequences.
Defense Calls Verdict a "Win"
Donna Rotunno, former lawyer for Harvey Weinstein, called the outcome a major loss for the government.
“We’ve been saying all along that this case was overcharged,” Rotunno told Fox News. “Marc [Agnifilo] did a really good job in his closing arguments, highlighting that to the jury. Overall, this is a huge loss to the government… This is a definite win for Mr. Combs.”
Fox News contributor and retired NYPD inspector Paul Mauro added:
“The jury did not believe the sex trafficking was coercive. They seemed to see the relationships as either genuine or transactional. That undercut both the sex trafficking and RICO charges.”
Emotional Reactions in the Courtroom
Once the judge dismissed the jury, Diddy’s relief was evident. He dramatically shook his head when the judge joked about returning to MDC Brooklyn. He then clasped his hands in a prayer-like gesture, knelt on his chair, and later stood and clapped toward the gallery. The room erupted in applause and cheers.
Diddy was heard saying “thank God” and “I love you” multiple times. His defense team hugged and wept, with attorney Teny Geragos embracing his family. Shouts of “dream team” rang out in support of the legal team.
Wednesday Morning Before the Verdict
Diddy arrived in court wearing a beige sweater, hugging his lawyers and waving to his mother and a supporter whispering “Hi Diddy.” He formed a heart symbol with his hands, spoke with court marshals, then turned to his family and led a prayer.
“God, please bless this courtroom and the jurors,” he said. His family responded with “amen” and applause.
A Long Journey to the Verdict
Jurors began deliberations on Monday, June 30, after seven weeks of testimony. The prosecution rested its case on June 24, with Special Agent Joseph Cerciello serving as their 34th and final witness. Diddy’s defense chose not to call any witnesses.
On Tuesday, the jury had reached a verdict on four of the five charges but remained deadlocked on the racketeering count. Judge Arun Subramanian instructed the jurors to continue deliberating and emphasized the importance of unanimity without pressuring them to abandon firmly held beliefs.
Inside the Closing Arguments
In his closing, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo urged jurors to be courageous and find his client not guilty.
“Return him to his family who have been waiting for him,” Agnifilo said.
He claimed the government had turned Diddy’s personal sex life into a “fake trial,” stating that none of the witnesses testified to actual racketeering. Many described working with Diddy as demanding, yet compared it to “Harvard Business School.”
The prosecution, on the other hand, argued that Diddy ran a criminal enterprise, using his inner circle, wealth, and influence to commit and conceal crimes for decades. They presented texts, audio, and financial records to support their claims.
“Over the last several weeks, you’ve learned a lot about Sean Combs,” said prosecutor Slavik. “He’s a leader of a criminal enterprise. He doesn’t take no for an answer.”
What’s Next for Diddy?
Though he avoided the most severe outcomes, Diddy now awaits sentencing on the two guilty counts. Arguments regarding his detention will be heard shortly.
For now, the courtroom celebrations reflect a major legal victory for the music mogul—one that could reshape public perception and influence future proceedings.
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