Photo Credit: Elizabeth Anceno
A Manhattan jury reached a partial verdict in the federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, but was deadlocked on the charge of racketeering conspiracy.
Jurors in the federal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs have reached a verdict on all but one count against him—that of racketeering conspiracy. As deliberations continue on Wednesday morning, the decision on the rest of the charges remains sealed.
The Manhattan jury, consisting of four women and eight men, noted there were members with “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” regarding the racketeering count. They deliberated for more than 12 hours, reaching a verdict on the four other counts in the case: two for sex trafficking and two for transportation to engage in prostitution.
Once jurors alerted the court to the partial verdict at around 4 PM on Tuesday, Judge Arun Subramanian encouraged them to continue their discussions. “I ask at this time that you keep deliberating,” said the judge. The jury concluded deliberations for the day, and will reconvene Wednesday morning at 9 AM.
In order to convict Combs on the racketeering charge, jurors must find that he knowingly partook in an unlawful conspiracy, and that he agreed that he or someone else in his organization would commit at least two criminal acts to further the enterprise. According to prosecutors, Combs had a loyal inner circle which carried out various crimes for years. These allegedly include drug distribution, kidnapping, bribery, arson, sex trafficking, forced labor, and interstate transportation for prostitution.
Although the verdict on the other charges remains sealed, the jury sent a note about its partial verdict to the court. Moments later, eight of Combs’ attorneys huddled around him, reportedly “looking grim.” Combs, who slumped in his chair, bowed his head and folded his hands in his lap.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his lawyers have asserted that all sexual activities with the women involved in the trial were consensual. The racketeering charge on which jurors have yet to reach a verdict accuses the music mogul of running a criminal enterprise with his employees that was responsible for numerous misdeeds for over 20 years.
The 55-year-old Combs was arrested in September and has remained in custody since, having been denied bail twice. Should he be found guilty, Combs could face life in prison.
