Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs verdict explained: What are the charges, why was he acquitted, and what next
The decision arrived in a Manhattan court hall on Wednesday after a seven -week hearing and the argument of a thirteen -hour jury. The mixed result stunned the music industry and left Combs’ legacy in a deep trouble.
What did prosecutors claim
Prosecutors painted the combs as more than just one music Mongol. Bad Boy Records and other businesses claimed that they were running like a crime ring – using fame and cash to cover a dark side with sex smuggling, bribery and intimidation.
In accordance with the Federal Rico Law, they argued that Combs had been running a “crime business için for years. However, the jury did not see enough evidence of an organized crime model.
WOMEN’S STORIES
At the center of the hearing, he was disturbing the claims of two women – singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman known as “Jane ..
Ventura told the jury that he had abused him over and over again. In 2018, he was raped by Combs, and he was beaten in the hotel corridors-2012 CCTV showed that he dragged him in a corridor-and watched the Combs and watching the seeds. Scott Masudi, known as Kid Cudi by the fans, said that Combs had once entered his house and then his car was burned with a molotov cocktail. Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard said he saw Combs shot Ventura. Another former employee claimed that Kid Cudi forced him to go to his house, whom Taraklar threatened to kill the rapper.
Why did the jury divide the decision
Despite the graphic details, the jury members cleared sex smuggling combs. The US law demands evidence that women are forced to commercially, deceive or threatened for commercial sex actions – the bar is high.
Instead, they found both women guilty of their accusations against the state lines for prostitution. He did not need the proof of coercion of these numbers – he only organized a travel for paid sex.
The judge rejects his bail
After the jury spoke, Combs’ lawyers tried to take him out on bail. They claimed that this was the first conviction and that he was not as severe as the charges he beat. Judge Arun rejected Subramanian.
The Judge Subramanian said in the court that the defendant is impossible to show with clear and convincing evidence that he had no danger, ”he said.
Prosecutor Maurene Comey defended: “He is an extremely violent man with an extraordinarily dangerous anger that does not show regret.” Jane said that the court attacked Combs again in June 2024 – under the investigation.
After the judge rejected the jury, the combs kneel in the courtroom. Then he stopped, turned to the family and friends and said: “I will be home soon. I love you. Thank you. I love you.” He cheered one of the supporters.
Apart from the court, his lawyer Marc Agnifilo said to journalists: “A great victory for Sean Combs is a great victory for the jury system.” But this victory is just partial. The number of transport for each prostitution carries up to ten years. The defense wants a lighter sentence – only two years – but prosecutors plan to maximize.
Punishment and what’s next
The judge Subramanian set October 3 as the date of punishment, but may come to the fore. Combs’ legal team will fight again with bail before then.
Their problems do not end here. He is still facing civil cases, including one of Ventura, who settled for $ 20 million last year. Ventura’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor said he was “paved the way for conviction.
Once upon a time, Sean Combs was the face of the rise of Hip-hop. Bad Boy Records signed big names like Notorious Big. The parties were legendary-some completely white galas, others, prosecutors, paid sex workers, forced to perform the “freak”, he said.
Today, this empire cracked. Music copyrights, liquor brands and clothing line may not react publicly and have canceled agreements.
It is no longer the willing symbol that it was once – but a man waiting in a cell for the last word of a judge.
