After weeks of intense testimony and some truly heavy moments in court, the verdict is finally in for Sean “Diddy” Combs. The hip-hop mogul has been convicted of two federal felonies for transporting people for prostitution, but he’s been cleared of the much more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Now, in a fresh update, the judge has denied Diddy’s request for bail, meaning he’ll stay behind bars while he waits to learn his fate.
What’s happened in Diddy’s trial?
On Wednesday (local time), a Manhattan jury convicted Combs on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution after a seven-week trial. He was cleared of the top charges, which could have meant life in prison. As the verdict was read, Combs nodded, said “thank you” to a juror, and made a prayer gesture towards the jury, mouthing “thanks”. He then dropped to his knees at the defence table.
Judge Arun Subramanian thanked the jury for their work and then asked Combs if he wanted to return to the Brooklyn lockup where he’s been held since his arrest last September. “Mr Combs, you don’t want to go back to the MDC?” the judge asked. Combs shook his head and again made a prayer gesture towards the judge.
This comes after a partial verdict had been decided on Tuesday — meaning the jury had agreed on four out of five charges against Diddy: two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transporting people for prostitution. But when it came to the most serious charge — racketeering conspiracy — the jury was split, earning them extra time to deliberate.
Combs, who is 55, had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
No bail for Diddy
Combs’ lawyers had pushed for him to be released on a $1 million bond while he waited for sentencing, suggesting he be allowed to travel between Miami, Los Angeles, and New York, and promising to hand over his passport. Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo told the court, “He would be nothing short of a fool, which he is not, to violate any conditions the court set,” adding that Combs “treasures” the “opportunity he has been given”.
But prosecutors argued that Combs should stay behind bars, calling him a flight risk and a danger to the community, and pointing to his history of violence and drug use. They said, “Offences of conviction constitute crimes of violence and mandate detention following the defendant’s conviction.”
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Subramanian sided with the prosecution and denied bail. That means Diddy will remain in custody at the Brooklyn federal lockup until his sentencing date, which has not yet been set
What’s been happening in the Diddy trial?
The trial has gone on for seven weeks and included some pretty heavy evidence. Two of Combs’ ex-girlfriends, including singer Cassie Ventura, said he abused them and forced them into “freak offs” — drug-fuelled sex parties with paid escorts while Combs watched.
The jury saw security footage from 2016 of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway. Prosecutors say Combs used violence, threats, and money to control his partners, and that his staff helped set up the hotel rooms and get drugs, which they say makes it a criminal conspiracy.
Combs’ lawyers admit he was violent at times, but say everything else was consensual. They argue that the women took part because they wanted to make Combs happy, and that the prosecution is trying to turn his private life into a crime. Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in his closing statement, “If he was charged with domestic violence, we wouldn’t all be here. He did not do the things he’s charged with”.
What was the verdict in Diddy’s trial?
- Guilty: Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution (maximum 20 years in prison)
- Not guilty: Sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy (charges that could have meant life in prison)
Ventura’s lawyer told reporters outside court, “Obviously we would have liked to see a conviction on the sex crimes [and] the RICO counts, but we’re pleased that he’s been held responsible for something, which is something that hasn’t happened in his lifetime. We’re hopeful that ultimately he receives a substantial sentence for what he’s done and we’re pleased that Cassie’s brought to light everything that has happened in this trial … we understand beyond a reasonable doubt is a high standard and we’re just pleased that he still faces substantial jail time,” per Rolling Stone.
What’s next in the Diddy case?
Combs is now waiting to find out how long he’ll spend behind bars. The judge has proposed a sentencing date of October 3 at 10 am ET (October 4 at 1:00 am AEST), but is willing to move up the sentencing date at the defence’s request.
Prosecutors are pushing for a “significant” prison term, while the defence argues for a much shorter sentence, possibly close to time already served. For now, Diddy remains in custody, with no chance of bail.
We’ll update this story as soon as we know more.
Lead image: AP News / Getty
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