Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating
Share this @internewscast.com

NEW YORK (AP) — In Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial, the jury announced Tuesday that they have decided on four of the five charges against the hip-hop icon. However, the results remain confidential as they continue to deliberate the major charge, which is racketeering conspiracy.

Prosecutors, Combs’ defense lawyers, and Judge Arun Subramanian collectively agreed that after only two days of jury discussions, it was premature to abandon reaching a verdict on all charges. Instead of accepting a partial decision, Subramanian instructed the jury to keep discussing the unresolved charge. Deliberations are set to resume on Wednesday.

The situation developed late Tuesday when the jury communicated via a note indicating their difficulty in reaching a unanimous decision on the racketeering conspiracy charge, noting the presence of “unpersuadable views” from jurors on both sides.

After hearing about the note, Combs appeared morose as his lawyers explained to him what was happening. At one point, lead defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo stepped away from the huddle, returned with a piece of paper and handed it to Combs, who read it solemnly. The hip-hop mogul ‘s mother and several of his children returned to the courtroom.

Combs stood with his hands in pockets as jurors came into the courtroom for the judge’s guidance.

“It is your duty as jurors to consult with one another and to deliberate with a view to reaching an agreement,” Subramanian told them, recapping an instruction he’d read before deliberations began.

Jurors are weighing charges that Combs used his fame, wealth and violence to force two girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons with male sex workers known as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”

He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers contend prosecutors are trying to criminalize Combs’ swinger lifestyle and that, if anything, his conduct amounted to domestic violence, not federal felonies.

Combs, 55, could face 15 years in prison to life behind bars if he is convicted of all charges.

Racketeering conspiracy — count 1 on the jury’s verdict sheet — is the most complicated of the charges because it requires the jury to decide not only whether he ran a “racketeering enterprise,” but also whether he was involved in committing some or all of various types of offenses, such as kidnapping and arson.

The charge falls under RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. It is best known for being used in organized crime and drug cartel cases.

Earlier Tuesday, the jury asked to review critical testimony from one of the prosecution’s most important witnesses: the hip-hop mogul’s former longtime girlfriend Cassie, the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura.

The panel of eight men and four women asked for Cassie’s account of Combs beating, kicking and dragging her at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 — an assault captured on now-infamous security camera footage.

They also asked to see Cassie’s testimony about an incident in which she said Combs accused her of taking drugs from him and kicked her off of their yacht at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2013. On their way back to the U.S., she said, he threatened to release explicit videos of her having sex.

In addition, the jury asked for Cassie and stripper Daniel Phillip’s testimony about her jumping into his lap at a New York City hotel after. Phillip testified that he suspected Combs had been slapping and slamming her around an adjacent room.

“Her whole entire body was shaking, like she was terrified,” said Phillip, who was at the hotel for a sexual encounter with Cassie sometime between 2012 and 2014.

Phillip testified that he told her she was in real danger. Cassie, he said, “basically tried to convince me that it was OK: ‘It’s OK. I’m fine, I’ll be OK.’”

Tuesday’s court session began with the lawyers and judge considering the jury’s request late Monday for clarification about what qualifies as drug distribution, an aspect of the racketeering conspiracy charge.

Subramanian ultimately reminded jurors of instructions he’d already given on that part of the case.

On Monday, the panel deliberated over five hours. Barely an hour into the closed-door discussion, the foreperson sent a note complaining that there was one juror “who we are concerned cannot follow your Honor’s instructions.”

The judge responded to that first note by reminding jurors of their duties to deliberate and their obligation to follow his instructions on the law.

At the trial, Combs chose not to testify as his lawyers built their arguments for acquittal mostly through lengthy cross examinations of dozens of prosecution witnesses, including former Combs employees who testified reluctantly and only after being granted immunity.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man pushing a shopping cart in a parking lot.

Watch as a brave vigilante crashes a shoplifter’s cart in a Walmart parking lot while surprised bystanders look on

THIS is the dramatic moment a vigilante shopper confronts a suspected Walmart…
Trump Blasts Kamala and the Celebrities Her Campaign Paid, Says 'They Should All Be Prosecuted!'

Trump Criticizes Kamala and Celebrities Funded by Her Campaign, Calls for Their Prosecution

A substantial amount of money exchanged hands, with figures like Oprah Winfrey,…
Firefighter battling a large forest fire.

Massive Wildfires Engulf Athens and Greek Islands, Forcing Thousands to Evacuate

MASSIVE wildfires have erupted in Greece after a week-long heatwave peaked with…
Disney dominates Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con with 'Percy Jackson,' 'Predator: Badlands' and 'TRON: Ares' panels

Disney Takes Over Comic-Con with Panels for ‘Percy Jackson,’ ‘Predator: Badlands,’ and ‘TRON: Ares’

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is in full swing, and…
Three illegal Salvadorans using dating app to meet teen girls nabbed in Houston sting operation: authorities

Houston Sting Operation: Three Salvadoran Men Arrested for Using Dating App to Target Teenage Girls

Three unauthorized migrants from El Salvador, who were reportedly attempting to exploit…
Disputed fire by ancient church in Holy Land sparks diplomatic, religious fallout

Controversy Over Fire at Historic Holy Land Church Leads to Diplomatic and Religious Tensions

Israeli police have rejected claims that Jewish settlers set fire to the…
Trump slams Europe over immigration, says ‘horrible invasion’ is killing the continent

Trump Criticizes Europe on Immigration, Calls it a ‘Devastating Invasion’ Harmful to the Continent

Upon arriving in Scotland on Friday, President Donald Trump quickly criticized European…
Illinois first responders, firefighters return home after 2 weeks helping search, recovery at deadly Central Texas flood sites

Illinois First Responders and Firefighters Return Home After Assisting with Central Texas Flood Search and Recovery Efforts

A group of first responders, including members from Illinois and Chicago fire…
RedState Sports Report: Brother, Can You Spare a Relief Pitcher?

RedState Sports Update: In Need of a Relief Pitcher? Help a Brother Out!

Welcome to the sports desk of the Good Pirate Ship RedState, tucked…
Sailboat carrying 10 sinks after crashing into New Jersey jetty during rough seas

Sailboat with 10 passengers sinks after colliding with New Jersey jetty in rough seas

AVALON, N.J. – Ten people were rescued Wednesday when a sailboat crashed into…
Donald Trump and Eric Trump preparing to play golf.

Donald Trump and Son Eric Enjoy Time at Turnberry Resort in Scotland

DONALD Trump has been spotted playing golf at his luxury Turnberry resort…
Law enforcement's response to fatal shooting of state lawmakers raises questions

Questions Arise Over Law Enforcement’s Reaction to Lawmakers’ Fatal Shooting

Law enforcement’s response to the June 14 shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers…