The jury has reached a partial verdict within the federal intercourse trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, days after prosecutors and protection attorneys delivered their closing arguments within the case.
The choose obtained a word from the jury simply after 4 p.m. Tuesday stating that that they had reached a verdict on 4 of the 5 counts Combs was dealing with, however was unable to succeed in a verdict on the cost of racketeering conspiracy. The word mentioned the jury was unable to succeed in a unanimous verdict on the highest cost as a result of there have been jurors with “unpersuadable views” on each side.
It was not recognized what verdict — responsible or not responsible — was reached on the opposite counts, which embody intercourse trafficking and transportation to interact in prostitution.
Simply earlier than the word from the jury was learn, a number of protection attorneys huddled round collectively round Combs, who was seen within the courtroom along with his head in his palms, seemingly morose as his authorized crew defined what was occurring. At one level, lead protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo stepped away from the huddle, returned with a chunk of paper and handed it to Combs, who learn it solemnly.
Combs’ mom and 6 of his eldest youngsters have been within the courtroom on the time, together with the mom of his youngest baby, Dana Tran.
Prosecutors, in the meantime, have been at their desk glued to their telephones and laptop computer computer systems.
Each the prosecution and the protection advised the choose they needed the jury to proceed deliberating on the primary rely, saying it was too quickly to surrender on reaching a verdict on all counts.
Assistant U.S. Legal professional Maurene Comey instructed the choose give the jury a modified model of what’s often called an Allen cost — directions encouraging them to maintain deliberating after reaching an deadlock. Agnifilo, nonetheless, mentioned the jury doesn’t need assistance transferring expeditiously and he doesn’t need them to get any type of the Allen cost.
“I’m not asking the court to say much because I don’t think this jury needs much,” Agnifilo mentioned, arguing that this case is completely different from ones the place a jury has gone some time with out reaching a verdict on any counts.
The jury was introduced again into the courtroom simply after 5 p.m., at which period the choose advised them to proceed their deliberations. The choose mentioned juries have a proper to ship a partial verdict, however indicated that’s extra of a final resort and that given the quick period of time the panel has been deliberated, he’d quite give them extra time and wait to have a full verdict.
Courtroom then concluded for the night, with deliberations set to choose up once more at 9 a.m. Wednesday. As he obtained as much as go away, Combs turned to his household and blew a kiss, telling them he’d see them Wednesday.
Racketeering conspiracy — rely 1 on the jury’s verdict sheet — is essentially the most sophisticated of the fees towards Combs as a result of it requires the jury to determine not solely whether or not he ran a “racketeering enterprise,” but additionally whether or not he was concerned in committing some or all of assorted forms of offenses, reminiscent of kidnapping and arson.
The cost falls underneath RICO — the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — which is finest recognized for being utilized in organized crime and drug cartel instances.
As of Tuesday evening, the jury had spent about 13 hours sifting by means of seven weeks of typically graphic and emotional testimony in regards to the rap, vogue and actuality TV impresario’s propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, together with drug-fueled intercourse marathons dubbed “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”
Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible to federal fees of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking — relating to 2 of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to interact in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly intercourse employees throughout state traces.
In closing arguments final week, federal prosecutors and Combs’ protection crew took their final photographs at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founding father of Unhealthy Boy Information.
“The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,” Assistant U.S. Legal professional Christy Slavik mentioned. “He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law.”
Protection lawyer Agnifilo countered, “This isn’t about crime. It’s about cash.” He famous that certainly one of Combs’ accusers within the felony case additionally sued him in civil court docket.
In all, 34 witnesses testified, headlined by Combs’ former girlfriends Cassie — the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and “Jane,” who testified underneath a pseudonym. Each girls mentioned he typically was violent towards them and compelled them into a whole lot of sexual encounters with paid male intercourse employees.
Jurors additionally noticed now-infamous safety digicam video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles resort in 2016 and clips from movies of sexual encounters.
Combs selected to not testify, and his legal professionals didn’t name any witnesses of their protection case. His attorneys elected as an alternative to problem the accusers’ credibility throughout prolonged cross-examination questioning.
The protection has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, however his legal professionals preserve that the intercourse acts have been consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs’ private life and that he’s accomplished nothing to warrant the fees towards him.
Sources for victims of sexual assault can be found by means of the Nationwide Sexual Violence Sources Heart and the Nationwide Sexual Assault Phone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
