Sean Combs Trial: Jury Delivers Partial Verdict but Stalls on Final Charge

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This article contains references to domestic violence and sexual assault.

The jury at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial has reached a verdict on four of the five counts the music mogul faces, the judge overseeing the case said, without revealing the outcome.

After two days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict on four charges: two counts of sex trafficking and two of transportation to engage in prostitution, United States district judge Arun Subramanian announced.

But the judge said the jury had not been able to reach a verdict on a fifth charge, racketeering conspiracy, because jurors had “unpersuadable opinions on both sides”.

He instructed the jury to continue deliberating on the racketeering conspiracy count. The jury will resume deliberations at 11pm AEST on Wednesday.

Combs, 55, had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. If convicted of sex trafficking or racketeering, the former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture could face life in prison.

Before the judge read the jury’s note, Combs rubbed his eyes and rested his face against his palm while seated at the defence table with his lawyers huddled around him. One defence lawyer, Brian Steel, rubbed Combs’ shoulder. Two of Combs’ other defence lawyers put their arms around each other.

The partial verdict comes after a seven-week trial in which two of the music mogul’s former girlfriends testified that he physically and sexually abused them.

A court drawing of Sean 'Diddy' Combs in a suit sitting on a chair next to his lawyers.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs second from left, watches from the defence table as the judge speaks to the jury in Manhattan federal court. Source: AP / Elizabeth Williams

Prosecutors say Combs was charged with racketeering because for two decades he used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as “freak offs” with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed.

His lawyers acknowledged the Bad Boy Records founder, once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, was at times violent in his domestic relationships. But they said the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual.

Jury asks to review Cassie’s testimony

Earlier on Tuesday, the jury asked to review portions of the testimony of the rhythm and blues singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who testified that Combs forced her to take part in “freak offs” throughout their decade-long relationship.

The 12-member jury asked to review Ventura’s testimony regarding a 2016 incident at an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles, when a surveillance camera captured footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hallway.

Jurors saw the security camera footage several times throughout the trial. Prosecutors say that at the time of the incident, Ventura was attempting to leave a “freak off”.

Prosecutors say that conduct amounted to sex trafficking because Combs used force and threats to cut off financial support or release sex tapes of Ventura to coerce her to take part in the performances, and because the escorts were paid.

Combs’ defence pointed to tender and sexually explicit text messages that Ventura sent Combs throughout their relationship to bolster their argument that she took part in the “freak offs” because she loved Combs and wanted to make him happy.

They say the violent 2016 altercation stemmed from a dispute about Combs’ relationship with another woman.

Prosecutors charged Combs with racketeering conspiracy because they say his employees facilitated his abuse by setting up hotel rooms for “freak offs” and procuring illegal drugs for the sex parties. The defence argued Combs kept his personal and professional lives separate and that the drugs were for his personal use.

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