Following a seven-week trial in New York, hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been found guilty of transportation for prostitution but cleared of more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The jury's verdict has brought a mixed outcome for the 55-year-old, who still faces several years in prison for his conviction.
Prosecutors accused Combs of abusing and coercing three alleged victims, including his former long-term partner, singer and model Cassie Ventura, and other crimes including kidnapping, arson, and blackmail. However, the jury decided not all the allegations were proven.
Combs was found guilty of transporting people across the US, including Cassie and another former girlfriend, Jane*, and paying male escorts to engage in sexual encounters. Yet, he was acquitted of three other more serious charges - racketeering conspiracy and two of sex-trafficking.
Despite a request by his defence team, he was denied bail ahead of sentencing, which has been scheduled for Friday 3 October. In the courtroom in Manhattan, there were cheers from Combs's family, and the rapper himself held his hands up in a prayer motion, looking at the jury, and hugged his defence lawyer Teny Geragos.
Reacting to the verdict, Cassie's lawyer Douglas H Wigdor said that while jurors did not find Combs guilty of sex-trafficking Cassie, she had "paved the way" for the other guilty verdicts. Wigdor stated, "By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice." Cassie, who testified heavily pregnant just three weeks before giving birth, displayed "unquestionable strength," he added.
The trial saw former employees, escorts, hotel staff, and police officers testify, with Cassie and Jane also taking the stand. They told the court they were coerced into drug-fuelled sexual encounters with male escorts and abused throughout their relationships. Combs's defence team presented a different picture, arguing that sexual acts, including freak offs, were consensual.
The trial, which unfolded over seven weeks, kept private from members of the public and media in court, saw videos of "freak off" sex sessions with male escorts being shown to jurors. The mixed result from the jury came not long into their third day of deliberations. As the verdict sunk in, Combs appeared overwhelmed, kneeling at his chair and bowing his head in prayer once again.
"I'll be home soon," he said as he faced his family members. "I love you, Mum." The application for bail saw Combs's defence team argue that as he had been cleared of the most serious charges, he should be bailed ahead of sentencing. However, prosecutor Maurene Comey argued Combs had a history of violence, which Judge Arub Subramanian agreed with.
Combs, known variously as Puff Daddy, P Diddy, and Diddy over the years, was once one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. Famous as a producer, founder of Bad Boy Records, and manager of the late Notorious BIG in the 1990s, as well as a rapper in his own right, he won three Grammy Awards during his career and had hits including I'll Be Missing You, Come With Me, and Bad Boy For Life.
Allegations first came to light in September 2023, and Combs has been in custody ever since. The verdict has brought an end to the high-profile trial, but Combs awaits his sentencing on 3 October.
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