(NewsNation) — A 12-member jury will enter its second day of deliberations in the criminal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday.
Jurors convened for more than five hours Monday and hit a potential roadblock early on.
An hour into discussions, the foreperson sent a message to Judge Arun Subramanian, indicating a juror might be struggling to comprehend the instructions the judge had just presented.
The note, which referenced Juror 25, stated, “We are concerned (the juror) cannot follow your honor’s instructions,” as conveyed by the foreperson to the judge.
Subramanian responded, instructing the panel to deliberate and to follow his instructions.
The case was handed over to a jury of eight men and four women after Subramanian read instructions on the law and elements required to convict Combs.
Combs’ family showed up in full support Monday, praying with other supporters in the courtroom.
Jurors have access to a laptop containing all the exhibits displayed in court, such as text messages, photographs, and videos related to the sexual encounters central to the case.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The trial brought forth several former employees of Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment companies, but its most noteworthy witnesses were two of his former partners — singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and “Jane,” a social media influencer who testified under a pseudonym.
The women said they felt pressured to engage in hundreds of sexual events, dubbed “Freak Offs” or “hotel nights,” with sex workers. These encounters were often filmed.
In their closing statements, the government painted Combs’ criminal enterprise as his “kingdom.”
While the prosecution presented a robust case, defense attorneys wrapped up theirs within hours, calling no witnesses.
Much of their argument rested on the theory that the accusers were consenting adults and were not forced to participate in Combs’ sexual events. The prosecution’s arguments also relied largely on text messages between Combs and his ex-partners, to show the women were willing and even arranged for the sexual encounters at times.
Defense attorneys used their closing statements to call Combs’ prosecution overkill, saying that he was being put on trial for his sexual proclivities and lifestyle choices.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
