Documentary on Diddy trial to stream online today; key reasons why jury didn't find him guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking
Where to watch Verdict: the Diddy Trial
The TV special aired Wednesday (July 2) at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. Outside the US, it'll stream on Disney+ and Hulu on July 3. The special explores the key moments that flipped the case in Diddy's favour, with commentary, scene reenactments, and a breakdown of what legal doors remain open, both for the defense and the prosecutors looking to make their next move.
Also read: Sean 'Diddy' Combs found guilty in sex trial, but cleared of trafficking and racketeering charges
Diddy was convicted of two federal crimes, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution (violating the Mann Act.) Meanwhile, he was acquitted of three other, more serious charges, including: Sex trafficking of Cassie Ventura and another woman (identified only as 'Jane'). Racketeering, where prosecutors claimed Diddy ran an illegal criminal enterprise involving bribery, drugs, kidnapping, and sexual abuse.
According to ABC, each of the two charges Diddy was convicted on carries a max sentence of 10 years, which means he's now staring at a possible 20 years behind bars. The decision came after two days of jury deliberation, with a final note sent at 9:52 a.m. on Wednesday confirming a unanimous verdict on all five counts.
Also read: Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of sex trafficking charges, convicted on prostitution counts
Why the jury didn't convict Diddy on the most serious charges
Former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow, in a conversation with Forbes, pointed to one key reason the jury may have ruled not guilty on the biggest charges: lack of proof of coercion. Chutkow explained that to convict someone of sex trafficking, you have to show the victims were forced, tricked, or coerced. Despite Cassie Ventura and 'Jane Doe' testifying, both women continued seeing Diddy even after the alleged incidents, some even expressed care for him. That alone could've given the jury reasonable doubt.
As for the racketeering charge, the jury might not have seen enough to believe there was a full criminal network. Diddy was accused of running an entire enterprise, but he was the only one sitting in court. If others were supposedly involved, who were they, and why weren't they on trial too?
Why was Diddy's bail denied?
Judge Arun Subramanian refused to grant bail. One major reason being a surveillance video presented in court that reportedly showed Combs physically assaulting Cassie Ventura. The judge called it part of a disturbing pattern of behaviour. Prosecutors added that Diddy continued breaking laws in 2024, even after learning he was under federal investigation and after his homes were raided. So for now, Diddy stays locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His team's pushing for house arrest at his Miami home until sentencing. But prosecutors are still arguing.
What happens next? The sentencing process
Sentencing is currently set for October 3, but Judge Subramanian has said he's open to moving it up if the defense requests. Before that, Diddy will have to go through a presentencing investigation led by the US Probation Office. They'll look into his criminal history (or lack of it), the severity of the charges, and anything else that might factor into what kind of sentence he gets.
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Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What Fourth of July will look like for Sean ‘Diddy' Combs behind bars
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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Brianna Turner accuses allies of Sean 'Diddy' Combs of cowardice in jaw dropping reaction
Image Source: X Just after Sean 'Diddy' Combs was cleared of racketeering and sex trafficking charges on July 2, 2025, Indiana Fever forward Brianna Turner spoke out online. The verdict shocked many. She posted on X that she felt the decision was 'disappointing and disgusting.' Brianna Turner pointed to those who stayed silent when Sean Combs was accused. She asked why more people didn't stand up sooner. Her words raised questions about justice. Now public awareness is growing about how society supports powerful individuals. Why did Brianna Turner call the Diddy verdict disgusting On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, WNBA player Brianna Turner from the Indiana Fever spoke out on social media after hearing the verdict in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial. She posted on X, calling the verdict 'disappointing and disgusting.' But what bothered her even more was how many people might have helped or ignored what was happening. Brianna Turner wrote,'The Diddy verdict is disappointing and disgusting, but what I can't wrap my head around is all the people that aided him in his actions. Everyone that turned a blind eye. Everyone that knew what was going on. So many accomplices that helped make this all possible. Terrifying.' She seemed upset that some people possibly stood by and said nothing while others suffered. She claimed that 'those who did not say anything are equally as much part of the problem.' Her message was not limited to Diddy, it was also about the culture of silence done towards powerful people who harm others. Brianna Turner's reaction got attention online as many fans shared her concern and supported her words. Also Read: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Verdict: The Music Mogul Is Not Guilty On Major Charges; Lawyers Announce 'Victory' What did the jury decide and what will happen next for Diddy The verdict came after three days of jury talks in a New York federal court. On July 2, 2025, the jury acquitted Sean Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking charges. However, he was convicted of two counts of transporting women across state lines for the purpose of prostitution (known as To Transport Prostitution or Mann Act violations), presented by the prosecution through his former girlfriend (and also a second, unnamed victim). While he was acquitted of charges even without the testimony from Cassie Ventura, these are also serious charges too. Each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, potentially, depending both on the legality of their work, and on the sentencing discretion of the judge. Sean Combs is currently being held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center. After reviewing Sean Combs' situation and likelihood of release on bail, the judge was concerned that Sean Combs might be capable of introducing witnesses to disparate stories and voiced concern over community risk. Sean Combs is scheduled to be sentenced in October of 2025. While prosecutors are seeking a sentence of between four and five years in prison, ultimately, the judge will act on what is right. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
What is the Mann Act, the 114-year-old law used to convict Sean ‘Diddy' Combs?
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, the iconic music mogul and entrepreneur, was convicted Wednesday under the federal Mann Act, a 114-year-old anti-sex trafficking law originally intended to curb 'immoral' behaviour and prostitution across state lines. Though Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, he was found guilty of transporting people across state lines for paid sexual encounters, including former romantic partners and male sex workers. The case marks one of the most high-profile modern convictions under the Mann Act that has previously ensnared figures like R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, Chuck Berry, and more than a century ago, Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight boxing champion. The Mann Act was passed by the US Congress in 1910 and named after Republican Representative James Robert Mann of Illinois. It was originally known as the 'White-Slave Traffic Act', intended to crack down on forced prostitution and sex trafficking. It criminalised the transport of 'any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose.' Initially aimed at addressing what was perceived as the forced trafficking of women (often sensationalised as 'white slavery'), the law's vague wording led to numerous controversial prosecutions. According to Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute, the statute was later used to criminalise interracial relationships, consensual sex, and other forms of behaviour labelled as 'immoral' by early 20th-century standards. Combs was convicted of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution, specifically involving two women: R&B singer Cassie and another woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane. Cassie said Combs pressured her into degrading sex marathons with strangers and beat her when she tried to leave one such event. Jane described a similar incident, saying Combs assaulted her when she refused to participate. Both women testified that some of the individuals involved were paid for sexual performances. Though the court did not convict Combs on the more severe counts of sex trafficking, the Mann Act conviction still carries serious penalties and reputational damage. The Mann Act was originally aimed at stopping the transport of women and girls for prostitution or 'immoral purposes.' It gained notoriety for its use in controversial cases, most notably that of Jack Johnson, the first Black world heavyweight boxing champion. Johnson was convicted in 1913 for traveling with a white girlfriend who was a sex worker. President Donald Trump posthumously pardoned Johnson in 2018, calling the conviction a 'racially motivated injustice.' A 1917 Supreme Court ruling expanded the act's interpretation, allowing prosecutions for consensual sexual activity under the definition of 'immoral purpose.' In 1986, the Mann Act was amended to become gender-neutral, removing outdated phrases like 'debauchery' and 'immoral purpose' and replacing them with more legally precise language: 'any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.' The Act was also updated in 1978 and 1994 to focus specifically on the sexual exploitation of minors and child trafficking. Today, the Mann Act is primarily used to prosecute interstate prostitution and child sex crimes, rather than consensual adult relationships. Still, its past continues to cast a shadow. Despite these reforms, Combs' lawyers sought to dismiss the charge, arguing that the Mann Act still carried racial baggage. Prosecutors pushed back, pointing out that most of Combs' accusers are people of color and that the current use of the law is based strictly on the nature of the criminal acts. (With Inputs from Associated Press)
