The jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial has reached a partial verdict, but cannot agree on one particular charge.
The Manhattan federal jury, made up of eight men and four women, informed Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday (July 1) that it had decided on four out of five counts in the sex-trafficking case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
However, the panel could not agree on the top charge of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence that could see the 55-year-old rapper spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
“We have reached a verdict on counts 2, 3, 4, and 5,” the jury’s note stated, referring to two sex-trafficking charges and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
“We have not reached a verdict on count 1 because we have unpersuadable jurors on both sides," they added, per Yahoo.
The announcement followed roughly 12 hours of deliberations. It came after seven weeks of testimony that included 34 witnesses, video evidence, and emotional accounts from Combs’ ex-partner, Cassie Ventura, and countless others who accused him of repeated abuse.
The case centers on the 38-year-old 'Me & U' musician's testimony that Combs forced her into “freak-offs,” which prosecutors described as days-long, drug-fueled sex sessions with male prostitutes, sometimes recorded by Combs.
The "freak offs" would take place in the rap mogul’s homes, Ventura's homes, and in hotel suites around the world. The mom-of-three added that Combs would find escorts on Craigslist, paying them between $1,500 to $6,000, CBS News reported.
Ventura also described a 2013 incident where Combs allegedly kicked her off a yacht at the Cannes Film Festival after accusing her of drug use, later threatening to release explicit videos to control her.
She further recounted a 2016 incident where her ex-partner was caught on camera assaulting her in a Los Angeles hotel.
Another former girlfriend, identified only as “Jane”, testified that she was forced to participate in the sex-fueled parties under threats that Combs would stop paying her rent and cut off financial support if she did not comply.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Christy Slavik told jurors that Combs "used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” adding: “He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law," per E! News.
“He doesn’t take no for an answer,” she added. “It was his kingdom. Everyone was there to serve him.”
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, appeared downcast in court as the note was read, surrounded by his legal team.
His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, contended that he was facing a “fake trial” and that prosecutors had “badly exaggerated” evidence of his lifestyle, per BBC. Agnifilo described Combs’ relationship with Ventura as “loving” despite the testimony and video shown in court.
The defense presented hundreds of messages from Ventura and Jane to Combs, which appeared to show affection toward him and even eagerness to participate in some of the “freak-offs,” arguing that these messages pointed to consent and undermined the prosecution’s case.
But, prosecutors argued that the physical abuse, threats to release explicit videos, and financial pressure she faced created a consistent pattern of manipulation.
The racketeering charge depends on whether jurors believe Combs committed at least two underlying crimes with the help of his employees or associates.
The potential offenses that could support the charge include arson, bribery, kidnapping, sex trafficking, forced labor, and prostitution-related crimes.
Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani, who is not involved in the case, noted that the rapid partial verdict could indicate challenges for the prosecution on the most severe charges.
“A fast verdict is usually a bad sign for the prosecution on the most serious and difficult to prove charges in a case like this,” Rahmani said, cited by The New York Post. “And racketeering is easier to prove than sex trafficking because you can prove racketeering even if the sex was consensual.”
The jury began deliberations on Monday (June 30) and had initially expressed concerns about one juror’s ability to follow the judge’s instructions, noting that the juror was foreign-born.
The following day, the panel requested Ventura’s testimony, particularly regarding the 2013 Cannes incident and the 2016 hotel assault, as they worked to reach a decision.
Both the prosecution and defense asked Judge Subramanian to require the jury to continue deliberations rather than accept the partial verdict. Subramanian agreed, telling the jurors: “I ask at this time that you keep deliberating.”
Deliberations are set to continue on Wednesday (July 2) and could extend into Thursday (July 3), despite the court typically being closed that day, as the jury works toward reaching a final verdict in a case that has put the entertainment world on edge.
Combs has been in custody since his arrest in September and faces up to life in prison if convicted on the sex-trafficking or racketeering charges.