NEW YORK — A jury returns to deliberate for a second day Tuesday at the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
On Monday, jurors spent more than five hours deliberating without arriving at a verdict after Judge Arun Subramanian provided them with legal instructions.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial updates:Jury deliberations to continue Tuesday
They are deciding whether prosecutors have proven racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges during a trial that began in early May.
According to prosecutors, for twenty years, Combs allegedly used his celebrity status, wealth, and a network of employees and associates to pressure two different girlfriends into repeatedly engaging in sexual activities with male sex workers over several days, while he watched and sometimes recorded these drug-induced gatherings.
Defense attorneys argue that prosecutors are unfairly turning Combs’ bedroom activities with his girlfriends, who were part of the swinger lifestyle, into federal crimes, along with incidents of domestic violence involving Combs.
Combs, 55, could face 15 years in prison to life behind bars if he is convicted of all charges.
After pleading not guilty, Combs chose not to testify as his lawyers built their arguments for acquittal mostly through lengthy cross examinations of dozens of witnesses called by prosecutors, including some of Combs’ former employees who took the witness stand reluctantly only after being granted immunity.
When jurors first left the room to begin deliberating on Monday, Combs sat for a while slumped in his chair at the defense table before standing and turning toward three rows of spectators packed with his family and friends.
Those supporters held hands and lowered their heads in prayer, as did Combs, who was several feet from them in the well of the courtroom. After they finished, they together applauded, and so did Combs, still clapping as he turned back toward the front of the room.
Combs also showed off two books he’s reading: “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor.
Barely an hour into deliberations, the jury foreperson sent a note to the judge, complaining that there was one juror “who we are concerned cannot follow your Honor’s instructions. May I please speak with your Honor or may you please interview him?”
The judge decided instead to send jurors a note reminding them of their duties to deliberate and obligation to follow his instructions on the law.
By day’s end, the jury seemed back on track, requesting clarification about what qualifies as drug distribution, an aspect of the racketeering conspiracy charge that will help determine whether Combs can be convicted or exonerated on the count.
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