Latest news with #Verdict:TheDiddyTrial
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Documentary on Diddy trial to stream online today; key reasons why jury didn't find him guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking
Sean 'Diddy' Combs may have dodged the most serious charges in his federal racketeering and sex trafficking case, but Judge Arun Subramanian isn't letting him out just yet. The Music mogul's bail plea was denied by the presiding judge as the legal battle continues. Meanwhile, ABC News aired a one-hour special, Verdict: The Diddy Trial, less than 12 hours after the verdict. The episode aired in the US on July 2 and is set to stream globally the next day. The special features defense attorney and ABC's legal analyst Brian Buckmire, criminal trial lawyer Sarah Azari, and investigative correspondents breaking down what went down in court. Though Combs beat the charges that could've landed him behind bars for life, he's still staring at a likely two-decade prison term. 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted on most serious charges in split verdict
Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of two of the five charges he faced in his racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking trial. On count one of the five-count indictment – racketeering conspiracy – the jury found Combs not guilty. On count two – sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, pertaining to Cassie Ventura – the jury found Combs not guilty. On count three – transportation to engage in prostitution, also pertaining to Ventura – the jury found Combs guilty. On count four – sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, pertaining to the woman identified by the pseudonym "Jane" – the jury found Combs not guilty. On count five of the indictment – transportation to engage in prostitution, also pertaining to "Jane" – the jury found Combs guilty. Combs faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years for each count of transportation to engage in prostitution. Following six weeks of testimony presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian that saw the prosecution present 34 witnesses and the defense present none, the jury of eight men and four women deliberated just over two days days before reaching their verdicts. Tune into ABC at 10/9c Wednesday for an ABC News special, 'Verdict: The Diddy Trial,' on the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial, and streaming next day on Hulu and Disney+. Subramanian said he will decide whether Combs get released today. He said that the decision might take some time – including giving the lawyers time to write letters arguing for and against release – but that it will happen sometime today. Prosecutors asked for a 'few hours.' Comey said the government plans to pursue 'significant incarceration' for Combs. Court is adjourned for now. Combs got down from his chair and knelt on the floor after the verdicts were read, appearing to pray while some of his attorneys embraced. Marshalls then escorted Combs out of the courtroom while some spectators in the gallery cheered and applauded. MORE: Everyone who testified for the prosecution in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial Combs was initially indicted in September 2024 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation to engage in prostitution. A superseding indictment in March 2025 included additional allegations of forced labor under the racketeering conspiracy count, while another superseding indictment the following month added an additional charge of sex trafficking and one of transportation to engage in prostitution Federal prosecutors accused Combs of using his many businesses, and the people he employed to run them, to conduct a criminal enterprise to illegally coerce women into sex and conceal his alleged illicit conduct to protect his reputation. The alleged activities included "sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice," according to the indictment. In addition to the racketeering charge, the indictment also included two separate counts each of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution, both involving two alleged victims. Combs' attorneys countered that Combs may well be a violent man – one who indulges in unconventional sexual conduct, abused illegal drugs and committed domestic violence – but he wasn't part of a broader criminal organization. 'This case is about those real-life relationships, and the government is trying to turn those relationships into a racketeering case,' Combs' attorney, Teny Geragos, told jurors in her opening statement. 'The evidence is going to show you a very flawed individual, but it will not show you a racketeer, a sex trafficker, or somebody transporting for prostitution.' MORE: Sean 'Diddy' Combs rejects plea deal ahead of sex trafficking trial The prosecution called 34 witnesses over six weeks of testimony, beginning with Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whom Combs was seen physically assaulting in a widely circulated hotel surveillance video from 2016. Other witnesses included two alleged Combs victims who testified under the pseudonyms "Mia" and "Jane," as well as two male escorts to testified that they were paid to participate in so-called "freak-off" sexual encounters with Combs, Ventura and other alleged victims. The jury also heard from witnesses to alleged abuse and sexual acts, and a forensic psychologist who testified regarding why people often remain in abusive relationships. One of the most high-profile prosecution witnesses was Scott Mescudi, aka rapper Kid Cudi, who testified that he was told Combs allegedly broke into his home and had someone set his car on fire after learning that he was dating Cassie Ventura. Combs previously denied any involvement in the car fire. The defense, which twice during testimony unsuccessfully asked the judge to declare a mistrial, called no witnesses before resting their case on June 24, just two hours after the prosecution rested theirs, electing only to read additional evidence into the court record. Combs told the court at that time that he did not wish to take the stand in his own defense. Federal prosecutors the following day told Judge Arun Subramanian that they were no longer including attempted kidnapping and attempted arson as underlying crimes in the alleged racketeering conspiracy charge against Combs. Instead, prosecutors signaled that they would push sex trafficking and forced labor as primary predicate acts that the jury could find to convict Combs of racketeering conspiracy. Defense attorneys had argued that no evidence was presented directly tying Combs to the arson that damaged rapper Kid Cudi's vehicle. Defense attorneys also argued that the alleged kidnapping of Combs' former employee, Capricorn Clark, by Combs to confront Kid Cudi was far removed from the heart of the case. Federal prosecutors did not elaborate on their decision in their letter to the judge. The prosecution delivered a nearly five-hour-long closing argument on Thursday, June 26, summarizing 28 days of testimony and evidence. The defense spent four hours the next day presenting their summation, followed by the prosecution rebuttal. Deliberations began on Monday, June 30 after Judge Arun Subramanian gave the jury their instructions. On Tuesday, the jury told the court that they'd reached a verdict on four of the five five counts with which Combs was charged, they were unable to reach a verdict on the first count -- racketeering conspiracy -- prompting the judge to instruct them to continue deliberations. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
