Sean “Diddy” Combs and his explosive sex trafficking and racketeering trial have come to a shocking end after the jury acquitted him of the most serious charges in the matter. However, Diddy was found guilty on two of the lesser charges, with the jury announcing they were deadlocked on the racketeering count.
As reported by the New York Times, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial heard testimonies from star witnesses such as Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, musical artist Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, and several Jane Does. The description of the alleged acts and crimes carried out by Combs was alarming to some, with the prosecution accusing Combs of using his power and influence to lord over a world of sex, drugs, and violence.
On Tuesday afternoon in Manhattan, Judge Arun Subramanian read the jury’s verdict along with additional notes stating that they were deadlocked on the first count, racketeering conspiracy.
“We have reached a verdict on counts two, three, four, five,” the jurors added in their note to the judge. “We are unable to reach a verdict on count one.”
Combs was found guilty on the third count, transportation to engage in prostitution, and the fifth count, also transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of the first count, racketeering conspiracy, the second count, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and the fourth count, also sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
The note from the jury added that there were “unpersuadable opinions on both sides,” with the judge asking them to continue deliberating on the racketeering conspiracy charge. The jury is currently reexamining the first count charge.
As Sean “Diddy” Combs awaits sentencing on the prostitution charges, his defense team has requested that the mogul be released and wait out his time under house arrest. The judge will decide on that matter this afternoon. If convicted of the prostitution charges, each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
In an earlier Hip-Hop Wired report, we took note of how many on social media are reacting to the verdict reading. Some are pondering how the prosecutors didn’t get the win, considering the mountain of evidence obtained in the home raids or the stirring testimonies from the alleged victims. Other observers also believe that the prosecution didn’t bring in the proper witnesses for the charges that were brought. That said, this case, while it has moved ahead tremendously, is far from over.
We will update this story once the jury hands in their findings to the judge.
Jury In Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial Deadlocked Over RICO Count
was originally published on
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