Dramatic moment Sean 'Diddy' Combs fell to his knees after learning his fate
The disgraced hip-hop mogul fell to his knees and buried his head in a chair at the defence table where he had just spent two months on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering.
Before the verdict came down, Combs sat quietly in his chair, looking forward, wearing the same off-white sweater and pants he wore for much of his trial.
The court grew quiet as the jury foreperson handed the verdict sheet to the court deputy. Then it was handed back to the foreperson.
And they began to read.
As the sound of the "not guilty" rung out in court for the first time, acquitting Combs of the most severe crime of racketeering, the rapper kept his head low.
By the time the foreperson announced Combs was not guilty of sex trafficking, Combs had his head in his hands.
The jury did find him guilty on the least severe charges of transporting people to engage in prostitution. As they confirmed their decision, Combs buried his face in his hands.
A flurry of small celebrations followed for Combs, who has been in a federal jail in Brooklyn since September. He made a prayer sign with his hands to the jury, then turned around and made the same gesture to his family - twin daughters, sons and 85-year-old mother.
He appeared to mouth: "I'm coming home."
The moment seemed equally emotional for Combs' many lawyers, including Teny Geragos, seated next to him and wiping away tears with a tissue after the verdict was read.
Combs' attorneys wasted no time in telling the judge that the verdict, reached after roughly two days of deliberations, meant Combs should be able to walk out of the Manhattan courthouse a free man that very day.
His acquittal on the most serious charges meant he no longer needed to be jailed, his attorney Marc Agnifilo told the court, noting that his client's plane was inaccessible - chartered and in Maui.
"Mr Combs has been given his life by this jury," he said. "He will not run afoul of anything this court imposes on him."
Then, in the perhaps the most emotional gesture of the day for Combs, he appeared to express his gratitude by pressing his head into his chair at the defence table.
He rose, clapping his hands loudly, to hug several of his lawyers. Many family members and supporters in the main courtroom and a packed overflow room joined him, cheering.
Then, with one final hug to his lawyer and a wave to his family - blocked by a mass of people and court benches - he was escorted out of the court.
The hip-hop mogul's homecoming hopes were later dashed as Judge Arun Subramanian denied him bail at another hearing on Wednesday afternoon.
Outside the Manhattan court, there were repeated calls of "free Diddy" in a large crowd behind barriers.
But he will remain behind bars until his sentencing later this year.
Get all the latest trial updates on the BBC Sounds 'Diddy on Trial' podcast available wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
MSP seeks Eaton County woman. Why police say she's endangered
ROXAND TWP. — Michigan State Police are asking for the public's helping in finding a 64-year-old Eaton County woman. Police believe Lisa Lynn Martin left her home in the 700 block of St. Joe Highway in Eaton County's Roxand Township about 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, according to a July 5 social media post. She is considered endangered because she's without necessary medication. Martin was last seen wearing a black T-shirt or blouse, dark-colored shorts, Skecher tennis shoes and eyeglasses, State Police said. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or State Police operations at 517-241-8000. Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at mjmencarini@ This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Eaton County woman missing, endangered, State Police say
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Washington man scammed out of $500K after conmen told him his SSN had been stolen — how to protect yourself
It's a scam so convincing that it's raked in millions from unsuspecting residents across Washington State, including one victim who lost a jaw-dropping $870,000. Con artists posing as government agents are using high-pressure, fear-fueled tactics to trick victims into handing over huge sums. Many of the scams involve references to victims' Social Security. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it At least 47 victims have come forward — 27 in King County alone. Authorities believe that's just the tip of the iceberg and are asking anyone with information about the scam to come forward. Patrick Hinds, who heads the Economic Crimes and Wage Theft Division at the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, is talking to local media to raise awareness of the problem. 'In a nutshell, this scam really works by playing on people's fear,' he told Fox 13 Seattle. It begins with an ominous email, text, or computer pop-up that appears to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or a related agency that claims your identity has been stolen or your accounts hacked. Victims are told to act fast and click on a link or call a number to connect with an official — when in fact they're directed to a live con artist. Read more: No millions? No problem. With as little as $10, here's of diversified assets usually only available to major players The scammers tell victims their safest course of action is to liquidate all their accounts — storing their money as cash or gold — and hand it over to a courier, who will deliver it to a federal agency, for 'safekeeping.' 'Of course none of that is true,' Hinds says. Social Security scams are among the most common of the imposter scams in the U.S., and cost unsuspecting Americans $577 million in 2024 alone. One Washington victim fell for just such a ruse when a scammer told him his Social Security Number had been compromised. He ended up losing more than $500,000 to the fraud. He told KIRO 7 that the imposters are convincing and definitely instill fear. 'One of the first things they do is say, 'We'll have you electronically sign a non-disclosure agreement,'' he said. 'They kept saying, 'You can't discuss this with anybody.'' Hinds confirmed the scammers create a sense of urgency and secrecy to manipulate their victims and conceal their wrongdoing. They keep the con alive with fabricated letters confirming 'receipt' of funds, and more calls with 'officials.' 'They'll bring in someone else who claims to be from a different agency, like your bank or the FBI,' said Hinds. 'It's all part of the trap.' Of course, Washington isn't the only state where this is happening. Across the U.S., imposter scams ranked first among all fraud types in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, accounting for $789 million in losses — an increase of $171 million from 2023. Hinds urges the public to remember key ways to stay safe: 1. Fear: The message is meant to scare you. 2. Urgency: You're told to act now, with no time to think or ask questions. 3. Secrecy: You're warned not to tell anyone, not even your family or bank. Ask yourself, 'Does this make sense?' If something feels a little off, your gut may be telling you something. Get a second opinion from family, friends and trusted advisors. Keep in mind: 1. A real government agency would never use robocalls or texts to demand money via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. Hang up on suspicious calls and delete any such texts. 2. Con artists 'spoof' (fake) legitimate email addresses and caller IDs to trick you, so even if an email or phone number looks real, it could be fake. Moreover, in this era of deep fakes, fraudsters can forge convincing documentation, with authentic-looking signatures and government logos, so be wary. 3. You can always verify that communications are legitimate by cross-referencing with official government agency contact information. If you have fallen victim to a scammer, or suspect you have, here's what to do: Stop all contact with the scammer immediately. Document everything including screenshots, messages and receipts. Contact your bank to freeze accounts, reverse transfers or flag suspicious activity. Contact local police. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and in the case of Social Security scams, the SSA Office of the Inspector General at It's important to act fast. Banks and card issuers may be able to reverse fraudulent charges. State and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reimbursement programs might help in limited cases. Bottom line? 'If someone asks you to withdraw all your money and give it to a stranger 'for safekeeping' — don't do it,' Hinds said. 'Real agencies don't work like that.' This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
76-year-old woman killed in crash west of Dover
A 76-year-old woman was killed in a crash near Dover on July 3, according to Delaware State Police. Troopers determined that about 6 p.m. on July 3, a Honda Accord was stopped at a stop sign where Birchfield Drive and Forrest Avenue met. A Hyundai Veloster was heading west on Forrest Avenue at the same time, approaching Birchfield, police said. The Honda failed to remain stopped and entered the intersection, according to police, causing the left front of the Hyundai to crash into the right front of the Honda on Forrest. The Honda driver, a 76-year-old Dover woman, was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her name is being withheld until the family is notified. The Hyundai driver, a 17-year-old man from Marydel, Maryland, was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The road was partially closed for about three-and-a-half hours while the state police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit cleared the road and investigated the crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash to reach out to Master Cpl. W. Booth at (302) 698-8451 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333 or send a Facebook message to the Delaware State Police. Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware woman killed in July 3 crash west of Dover