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Read ongoing updates in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.
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The highly anticipated trial of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has reached an end.
The jury found Sean Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the most serious charge.
The jury found Combs guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura) and guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym "Jane").
He was found not guilty of both charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion in connection with Ventura and "Jane."
Combs was accused of being the ringleader of an alleged enterprise that "abused, threatened and coerced women" into prolonged, drug-fueled sexual orgies with male prostitutes, which he called "freak-offs," and then threatened them into silence. Combs has said that all of the sex was consensual and that while his relationships sometimes involved domestic violence, he wasn't engaged in trafficking.
Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said Combs was simply part of the swinger lifestyle and that he "vehemently denies the accusations made by the SDNY."
Sean “Diddy” Combs embraced the members of his legal defense team this morning shortly before proceedings began in his sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial.
Since jury selection began on May 5, the eight men and four women on the jury have spent 35 days in court between the selection process, testimony, and summations, with one juror replaced in the process with an alternate. Today will be the first day they can begin discussing the case among themselves.
Judge Arun Subramanian began the morning’s proceedings by instructing the jury on the law – a process known as charging the jury. The lengthy process of reading the jury charge is the last step before the jury can begin their deliberations.
“You have to decide which witnesses to believe and which facts are true,” Subramanian told the jury.
Subramanian noted that the jury could decide to fully disregard the testimony of a witness if they believe he or she intentionally provided false information on the stand.
“If you find that any witness has willfully testified falsely … you have the right to reject the testimony of that witness in its entirety,” Subramanian said. “A witness may be inaccurate or contradictory but be truthful or entirely credible in other parts of their testimony.”
Subramanian is now walking the jury through each of the counts in the indictment and what elements need to be proven for the jury to convict Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Hotel security camera footage depicting Sean Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura is sufficient evidence that Combs should be denied release on bail prior to sentencing, federal prosecutors wrote in a letter to the judge.
"This was far from the only assault the defendant perpetrated on Ms. Ventura: trial testimony from multiple witnesses recounted numerous other instances of abuse, in which the defendant slapped, hit, kicked, and dragged Ms. Ventura by the hair," the letter said. "The defendant embraced the fact that he was a habitual drug user who regularly engaged in domestic abuse."
Prosecutors also argued detention is mandatory following a conviction for transportation for the purposes of prostitution.
"Offenses of conviction constitute crimes of violence and mandate detention following the defendant’s conviction," prosecutors said.
Additionally, they argue Combs is a flight risk and a danger, despite the defense's assertions otherwise.
"The overwhelming evidence established at trial -- which the defendant did not dispute -- shows that the defendant has engaged in a yearslong pattern of abuse and violence, including as recently as in June 2024, approximately three months before his arrest in this case," the government letter said.
Prosecutors attached a letter from Deonte Nash, a stylist who testified he was subjected to physical violence by Combs, imploring the judge not to release him before sentencing.
"To release Mr. Combs without substantial consequence would undermine the integrity of this process and send a dangerous message: that wealth and influence can shield someone indefinitely from accountability. It will also endanger those who cooperated with this investigation under subpoena, who are already living in fear of retaliation," Nash said.
Continuing to detain Sean Combs after his acquittal on sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges would be "inappropriate," his defense lawyers argued in a letter to the judge overseeing his case this afternoon.
Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro argued that Combs should not be considered a flight risk and should be allowed to reunite with his family ahead of sentencing.
"Throughout these proceedings, Mr. Combs's family has been seated by his side, demonstrating the same respect for these proceedings and support for Mr. Combs that they will pay going forward. They were here and are here to support him, and he is obviously committed to reuniting with this family to continue to support them, not to flee or put them at further risk," she wrote. "He needs and wants to be with -- and remain with -- his family."
Shapiro proposed that Combs be released with a $1 million bond cosigned by three family members with travel restricted to parts of Florida, California and New York, his passport surrendered and consent for regular drug testing.
"Mr. Combs presents no risk of flight or danger, and the release conditions proposed herein are more than sufficient to assure Mr. Combs's appearance as required, and the safety of any person," Shapiro wrote.
Shapiro also tried to cast doubt on the prosecutor's claim that Combs poses a "danger," calling the allegation "unsupported" by the evidence. She noted that the terms of release would "ensure that Mr. Combs would not have the ability to arrange meetings with escorts."
According to the defense lawyers, the federal sentencing guidelines suggest Combs would get a 21– to 27-month sentence. Combs has spent more than nine months in federal custody awaiting trial.
"His sentencing exposure -- which we fully respect and do not seek to minimize in any way -- is in fact low, and so is any corresponding risk of flight," she wrote.
Sean Combs' bail hearing is set to occur at 5 p.m. Wednesday. His attorneys are arguing for $1 million bond, while prosecutors claim he poses a "danger" if released.
Courtroom sketches show Sean Combs emotionally reacting as the split verdict was read, from covering his face to raising his fist. He was also captured laying his head on the seat of a chair after hearing the verdicts on the five counts against him.
Sean “Diddy” Combs embraced the members of his legal defense team this morning shortly before proceedings began in his sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial.
Since jury selection began on May 5, the eight men and four women on the jury have spent 35 days in court between the selection process, testimony, and summations, with one juror replaced in the process with an alternate. Today will be the first day they can begin discussing the case among themselves.
Judge Arun Subramanian began the morning’s proceedings by instructing the jury on the law – a process known as charging the jury. The lengthy process of reading the jury charge is the last step before the jury can begin their deliberations.
“You have to decide which witnesses to believe and which facts are true,” Subramanian told the jury.
Subramanian noted that the jury could decide to fully disregard the testimony of a witness if they believe he or she intentionally provided false information on the stand.
“If you find that any witness has willfully testified falsely … you have the right to reject the testimony of that witness in its entirety,” Subramanian said. “A witness may be inaccurate or contradictory but be truthful or entirely credible in other parts of their testimony.”
Subramanian is now walking the jury through each of the counts in the indictment and what elements need to be proven for the jury to convict Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
