NEW YORK (AP) – The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial announced on Tuesday that it had reached a verdict on four out of five counts. However, this partial decision was kept confidential as the jurors were instructed to continue deliberating due to their inability to reach a unanimous verdict on the primary charge of racketeering conspiracy.
After only two days of deliberation, Judge Arun Subramanian, along with the prosecution and Combs’ defense team, decided it was premature to accept a partial verdict. They encouraged the jury to keep deliberating on the racketeering conspiracy charge, which is deemed the most complex. Deliberations were scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
The jury's struggles became apparent when they sent a note indicating they could not agree on the racketeering conspiracy charge because some jurors held "unpersuadable views" on both sides of the argument. Upon receipt of the note, Combs appeared visibly upset while his attorneys briefed him on the situation. His mother and several of his children were also present in the courtroom during this tense moment.
As the jury received further instructions and exited, Combs remained contemplative, sitting quietly before leaving his seat. He shared a tender moment with his family, blowing kisses and expressing love to his mother, assuring her, "I’ll be all right," before being escorted out by marshals.
The charges against Combs detail allegations that he used his wealth, fame, and a pattern of violence to coerce two girlfriends into participating in drug-fueled “freak-offs” with male sex workers, described as “hotel nights.” Combs has entered a plea of not guilty, with his legal team arguing that the prosecution is mischaracterizing his lifestyle, asserting that any inappropriate behavior amounted to domestic violence rather than federal crimes.
At 55 years old, Combs could potentially face a prison sentence ranging from 15 years to life if convicted on all counts. The racketeering conspiracy charge, listed as count one on the jury's verdict sheet, poses challenges because it necessitates a determination on whether Combs operated a "racketeering enterprise," along with considerations of various offenses, including kidnapping and arson, which fall under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, historically applied to organized crime and drug cartel cases.
On Tuesday, the jury requested to review crucial testimony from Cassie, the pop singer and Combs’ former long-term girlfriend. They were particularly interested in her accounts of being physically assaulted by Combs in 2016 at a Los Angeles hotel, highlighted by infamous security footage capturing the incident.
The jury also sought details regarding an incident at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013, during which Cassie claimed Combs accused her of stealing drugs and subsequently kicked her off their yacht. Cassie stated that on their return to the U.S., Combs threatened to release explicit videos of her. Furthermore, they inquired about Cassie’s testimony concerning her interactions with a stripper, Daniel Phillip, in which she allegedly jumped into his lap after Combs had subjected her to violent behavior in an adjacent room. Phillip described Cassie as appearing terrified, conveying a sense of danger to her.
Tuesday’s proceedings began with discussions among attorneys and the judge regarding the jury's request for clarification concerning drug distribution, a significant aspect of the racketeering conspiracy charge. Judge Subramanian reiterated prior instructions related to this segment of the case.
On the preceding Monday, jury deliberations extended over five hours. Notably, the foreperson had expressed concern over a juror who they believed was struggling to follow the court’s instructions, prompting the judge to remind the jury of their obligations to deliberate thoughtfully and adhere to legal guidelines.
Throughout the trial, Combs opted not to testify, while his legal team mounted a defense focused primarily on intensive cross-examinations of numerous prosecution witnesses.
