The jury has reached a verdict for the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs – finding him guilty of transportation for prostitution, but innocent of racketeering and sex trafficking.
The rapper and music mogul pleaded not guilty to all five charges – including one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of transportation for prostitution and two counts of sex trafficking.
In court this afternoon (July 2), the jury confirmed that they had deliberated for 13 hours across three days to come to the unanimous decision on the charges. The trial has been running since May, and the vast majority of the court time has been centred around the prosecution’s case.
On the charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking of Cassie Venture, and sex trafficking of a woman going by the name “Jane”, Diddy was found not guilty.
He was found guilty, however, of transportation for prostitution of Ventura and others, and of transportation for prostitution of “Jane” and others.
As reported by the BBC, the rapper prayed with his children and hugged his lawyers before the verdict was read, and the courtroom “exploded with noise” after each verdict was read.
The transportation to engage in prostitution charge carries the least time in prison compared to what he could have been served, and the maximum amount of time he now faces in jail is 10 years for each charge.
After the verdict was shared, Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, argued that the hip-hop mogul should walk out of the court as a free man following months of being in a federal jail. He also suggested that Diddy being acquitted on the most serious charges means that he should be allowed to be released and be able to live in his Florida home on a $1million (£734,700) bond.
The prosecutors have opposed this motion and accused the lawyer of “downplaying” the severity of the prostitution charges Combs has been convicted of. They also argued that he “does pose a danger” and may “disregard” court conditions if released.
A decision on whether or not he will be released on bond is set to be made later today. This is a developing story.
