After a nearly two-month trial and over 13 hours of deliberation, Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found not guilty of the most serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. The verdict was delivered by jurors after three days of intense deliberation.
Combs was, however, convicted on two lesser prostitution charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. This means he will avoid a potential life sentence.
Following the verdict, Combs’ defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, immediately requested his release from prison, arguing that since he is no longer facing sex trafficking charges, he should be allowed to return to his Florida home. The judge is currently reviewing this request.
Sean “Diddy” Combs ACQUITTED of Sex Trafficking and Racketeering, Convicted on Lesser Charges
The trial, which lasted nearly two months, saw chaotic moments, including a note from jurors on Tuesday night indicating they were stuck on the main racketeering charge after reaching verdicts on the sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution counts. Jurors cited “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” regarding the racketeering conspiracy.
Over seven weeks, the jury heard graphic and explicit testimony from more than 30 witnesses. Key revelations included details about Combs’ alleged “Freak Off” parties, described as multi-day, sex-filled orgies involving both male and female escorts.
Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, was the first to testify, providing detailed accounts of the rapper’s alleged violent nature and sexual demands. A highly controversial moment in the trial involved the showing of a video depicting Combs hitting and dragging Ventura down a hotel hallway.
The trial also saw mistrial requests from Combs’ lawyers, who claimed Ventura and another witness, Bryana Bongolan, lied about Bongolan being “dangled” over a 17th-floor balcony in 2016. The defense argued that Combs was on the East Coast at the time. While Judge Subramanian acknowledged that “the government screwed up,” he denied the mistrial motion, stating the defense effectively cross-examined Bongolan.
Additionally, Juror No. 6 was dismissed during the sixth week of the trial due to inconsistencies in his background information, raising concerns about his honesty.
