New York – Partially guilty, but no mega-prison sentence: In the trial of hip-hop legend Sean"Diddy" Combs (55), the jury reached a surprising verdict on Wednesday!
▶︎ Diddy was found guilty of a prostitution-related offense! According to the indictment, he had flown girlfriends and paid male sex workers across the country to bring them together for sexual encounters. This was a violation of a US federal law, the so-called"Mann Act."
Diddy was also accused of running a criminal enterprise that spanned two decades, committing sexual exploitation, drug distribution, kidnapping, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Combs used violence, threats, and drugs to force women and men to attend so-called"freak-off" parties, transport people across state lines, and coerce them into sexual acts.
But: The music mogul was acquitted of the serious charges of human trafficking and organized crime!
After approximately 12.5 hours of deliberation over three days, the twelve jurors (eight men, four women) ruled that there was not enough evidence of a life of coercion, violence, and drug-fueled sex parties, as the prosecution had portrayed it.
Now you face up to 20 years in prison!
▶︎ Attorney General Maurene Comey announced that the prosecution will seek the maximum sentence of 20 years for the prostitution transportation charge. Sentencing is pending.
Diddy's lawyers requested that he be released on $1 million bail pending sentencing. They argued that Diddy poses no flight risk! His private jet is currently chartered and in Hawaii.
The public prosecutor disagrees: The rap star has enough influence to flee.
This is how the day of judgment went
At 10:05 a.m. local time in New York, it was clear: the jury had reached a verdict on all counts. Shortly thereafter, Diddy was led into the courtroom. He folded his hands in prayer.
▶︎ Diddy smiled as the acquittal on the main charges was announced. He thanked the jurors, hugged his lawyers, and beamed at his family in the audience.
His mother, sister, and all six children were in the courtroom, including his girlfriend Dana Tran and their daughter Love (2). Ex-partners Misa Hylton (with son Justin) and Sarah Chapman (Chance's mother) were also among the spectators.
The judge calls for calm
Judge Arun Subramanian praised the jury:"You listened together, day after day, whatever the weather. That is inspiring to us all." He asked the media not to contact the jurors.
▶︎ The judge then adjourned the hearing while he considers whether Diddy can be released on bail following his conviction on the lesser charge. A decision on that is pending.
