Sean "Diddy" Combs has been denied bail by a New York judge as the hip hop mogul awaits sentencing in his sex crimes case.
The decision came after Combs was found guilty of prostitution charges but cleared by a jury of sex trafficking and racketeering, at the conclusion of his New York City criminal trial.
The 55-year-old has been behind bars since his arrest in September.
The Grammy-winning impresario stands convicted of two counts of a crime — transportation to engage in prostitution — that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
But jurors cleared him of charges that could have put him behind bars for life.
His lawyers argued that the acquittal on those counts changed the legal landscape enough that he should be freed on $1 million bond. Meanwhile, prosecutors said he remained a flight risk.
The rapper aimed prayer hand signs at the jury after being cleared of the most serious charges, and then fell to his knees in court.
Combs was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, not guilty of sex trafficking his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura and not guilty of sex trafficking a woman known as “Jane”.
However, he was found guilty of the transportation for prostitution of Ventura and the transportation for prostitution of the woman known as “Jane” and others.
In a statement, Ventura’s lawyer Douglas H Wigdor said she had "paved the way" for the guilty verdicts that were delivered, and by testifying she had "brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit".
"By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice”, he said.
"We must repeat - with no reservation - that we believe and support our client, who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial."
The verdicts, at the end of a lurid trial which detailed the rapper’s sex life, violent outbursts, and treatment of women, is likely to end his career as a hitmaking music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.
Nonetheless, there was an air of celebration among Combs’ team in court, as the three not guilty verdicts were delivered and prosecution claims of racketeering and sex trafficking fell away.
Combs was seen in court hugged his defence lawyer Teny Geragos after the verdicts.
Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.
But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons - known as “freak offs” - with the men.
His lawyers have now launched a bid for Diddy to be set free from prison while he awaits sentencing.
The prosecution’s star witness was RnB singer Ventura, who recalled details of the ‘freak off’ sex parties during their years-long relationship.
She told the court her rapper and producer boyfriend would "bash on my head, knock me over" in a “frequently” violent relationship.
Diddy’s downfall began after a 2016 video emerged in 2023, showing him attacking Ventura in a hotel corridor and dragging her around like a “rag doll” .
Ventura mounted a civil claim, which was swiftly dropped after a payoff from Combs. But by then, a criminal investigation was underway.
Ventura, who was heavily pregnant as she testified in court, said “freak offs" were the highly orchestrated sex parties which she said stemmed from Combs' interest in voyeurism. They would entail hiring an escort and "setting up this experience so that I could perform for Sean," she said.
"Sean controlled a lot of my life, whether it was career, the way I dressed, everything, everything. I just didn't have much say in it at the time," she testified.
Evidence of violence in the relationship were central to the prosecution case mounted against Combs on the most serious charges, alleging that women did have a choice but to become involved in the sex parties.
But Combs’ legal team argued that, while his private sex life may have been unusual, the people involved were there voluntarily and with consent.
David James, who was Diddy’s personal assistant and worked long hours for the rap mogul, told the court he had been told by a senior figure at Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment record label "this is Mr Combs' kingdom. We're all here to serve it".
The rapper did not give evidence at the trial, with his defence case lasting just 20 minutes.
Combs has been supported in court by a large number of members of his family. They were all in court for the verdicts.
