Jury in Diddy's sex trafficking trial to resume deliberations after reaching partial verdict
Share and Follow


NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial is set to resume deliberations Wednesday after reaching a yet-to-be-disclosed verdict on all but one of the five charges the hip-hop mogul faces.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ordered the jury to continue its closed-door discussions for a third day after the panel of eight men and four women said Tuesday that it was unable to reach consensus on the top count: racketeering conspiracy.

The judge agreed with prosecutors and Combs’ defense team that less than 13 hours of deliberations was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts.

The jury’s decision on the other charges — two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution — remains under wraps for now.

In a note to the court late Tuesday, the jury said “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” among some jurors had prevented the group from reaching a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge.

Racketeering conspiracy is the most complicated charge in the trial and carries a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.

The sex trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life. Transportation to engage in prostitution carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The disclosure of the jury note about the partial verdict seemed to put defense attorneys and their client in a dour mood even before it was read in open court by the judge.

Eight defense lawyers formed a half-circle behind Combs as the smiles and lighthearted mood that accompanied the arrival of other jury notes over two days seemed absent as the attorneys contemplated the possibility that jurors had reached agreement on counts that carry the heaviest sentencing penalties.

Combs, 55, appeared morose as his lawyers spoke with him. At one point, the hip-hop mogul solemnly read a piece of paper that attorney Marc Agnifilo handed to him.

After the jury came in for instructions and then exited the room, a subdued Combs sat in his chair for a few minutes. As he stood to leave, he faced his relatives and supporters in the audience, blew a kiss and tapped his heart, as he frequently has done at the start and end of each day.

Then he paused before his mother and exchanged a few words, telling her, “Love you” and “I’ll be all right.”

Marshals then led him from the room.

Earlier in their deliberations the jury asked to review testimony from Cassie, the R&B singer who was Diddy’s former longtime girlfriend, as well as from Daniel Phillip, a male stripper Diddy is accused of paying to have sex with Cassie.

Prosecutors say Combs coerced two girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons with male sex workers.

Lawyers for the Bad Boy Records founder contend prosecutors are trying to criminalize Combs’ swinger lifestyle. They say his conduct, if anything, amounted to domestic violence, not federal felonies.

Combs, who chose not to testify, has pleaded not guilty.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
The tragedy of Superman's original Lois Lane and her life of turmoil

The Tragic Life of Superman’s Original Love Interest, Lois Lane

She flew into the hearts of global audiences and the annals of…
Woman with 'urgent message' for President Trump arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint

Woman with ‘urgent message’ for President Trump arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A woman was arrested…
Protesters and federal agents clash during raid at Southern California farm

Protesters and government agents fight during operation at farm in Southern California

A confrontation erupted Thursday between protesters and federal officials carrying out a…
Senators hit funding snag over Trump FBI headquarters move

Senators encounter funding issue with Trump’s plan to relocate FBI headquarters

The Senate Appropriations Committee sputtered Thursday as its consideration of the annual…
US Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago field office touts progress after major fentanyl busts: ABC7 I-TEAM EXCLUSIVE

The DEA’s Chicago branch celebrates success following significant fentanyl seizures: Exclusive Report by ABC7 I-TEAM

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team spoke exclusively with Chicago’s top drug…
Rolling Stones rocker Mick Taylor stunned to learn 'stolen' guitar somehow wound up at Met Museum

Mick Taylor, a member of the Rolling Stones, was surprised to discover that a guitar he believed was stolen had somehow ended up on display at the Metropolitan Museum.

It’s a rock ’n’ roll mystery — call it the case of…
Trial date set for Austin Metcalf’s suspected killer in track meet stabbing

Trial date set for Austin Metcalf’s suspected killer in track meet stabbing

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The 18-year-old suspect accused…
Officers find drugs in bag labeled 'Definitely Not a Bag Full of Drugs'

Police officers discover drugs in a bag falsely labeled ‘Not Drugs’.

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. (WFRV) – A traffic stop in southeast Wisconsin led…