Jury deliberations in the high-profile federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs entered their third day Wednesday after jurors reached a partial verdict on four of five criminal counts. The panel told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian they remain deadlocked on the most serious charge—racketeering conspiracy—citing “unpersuadable opinions” among jurors. Combs, who has denied all allegations, faces life in prison if convicted on that count.
The trial, which has drawn national attention, centers on allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, and abuse spanning two decades. The jury’s inability to reach a unanimous decision on the racketeering charge raises the possibility of a mistrial on that count, though deliberations continue.
What to Know:
- Combs faces five federal charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
- The jury has reached consensus on four charges but remains split on the racketeering count, which requires proof of at least two predicate crimes under the RICO Act.
- Witnesses included singer Cassie Ventura and rapper Kid Cudi. Jurors requested transcripts of Ventura’s testimony describing alleged assaults and threats by Combs.
- Jurors sent multiple notes to the judge, including questions about drug distribution and specific incidents involving Combs. No Allen charge has been issued yet.
- A conviction on the racketeering charge could result in a life sentence. The other charges carry significant prison terms, including a 15-year minimum for sex trafficking.
Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.
Jury asks judge to clarify drug distribution, revisit Cassie testimony
As jury deliberations continue in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal trial, jurors have sent multiple notes to the judge seeking clarification on key elements of the case, including the legal definition of drug distribution and specific testimony from one of the prosecution’s central witnesses, Cassie Ventura.
On Monday, the jury asked whether someone who hands over drugs at another person’s request qualifies as a distributor. While Combs is not charged with drug distribution, prosecutors have accused him of possessing drugs with the intent to distribute as part of a broader racketeering conspiracy. Under the RICO Act, jurors must agree that Combs committed at least two predicate crimes—such as drug distribution, sex trafficking, or witness tampering—to convict him on the racketeering charge.
The jury also requested transcripts of Ventura’s testimony describing several alleged assaults. These include a 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, an alleged “freak off” at the Essex House hotel, and a confrontation at the Cannes Film Festival where Ventura said Combs kicked her off a yacht and later threatened to release a sex tape.
The requests offer rare insight into the jury’s focus as they weigh five serious charges against Combs, including sex trafficking and transportation for the purposes of prostitution. Deliberations are now in their third day.
Diddy trial update: Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 charges
Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the LA Premiere of “The Four: Battle For Stardom” at the CBS Radford Studio Center, May 30, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Associated Press
The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial announced Tuesday that it had reached a verdict on four of the five charges, but remained deadlocked on the most serious count: racketeering conspiracy.
Judge Arun Subramanian, echoing the views of both prosecutors and the defense, said it was too early—just two days into deliberations—for the panel to give up. The judge instructed the jury to continue deliberations.
The verdict reached on four charges was not read in court.
The jury will continue deliberating Wednesday morning.
Subramanian revealed that at 4:05 p.m., the court received a note stating the jury had reached a partial verdict but could not unanimously agree on the racketeering charge due to “unpersuadable views” held by members on both sides.
Combs’ mother and several of his children returned to the courtroom after Subramanian announced that the jury had reached a partial verdict.
Read the full story by Jenna Sundel, Joshua Rhett Miller, and Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.