By Michael R. Sisak
Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted of two prostitution-related offenses however acquitted July 2 of intercourse trafficking and racketeering costs that might have put one in every of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for all times.
Credit score: AP Picture
The combined end result got here on the third day of deliberations. It might nonetheless ship Combs, 55, to jail for so long as a decade, and is prone to finish his profession as a hitmaking music government, trend entrepreneur, model ambassador and actuality tv star.
What to know concerning the case:
The costs: Combs pleaded not responsible to at least one depend of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking by pressure, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution. Seven weeks into the trial, prosecutors dropped theories of tried arson and kidnapping to streamline their racketeering conspiracy depend.
The arguments: Prosecutors known as 34 witnesses because the trial’s begin in early Might, together with two ex-girlfriends of Combs who testified they felt coerced into marathon intercourse occasions with male intercourse employees that had been known as “freak-offs” or “resort nights.” Jurors had been proven about 20 minutes of video recordings from the dayslong occasions. Protection attorneys, although, say they had been consensual sexual encounters in step with the swingers way of life.
The star witness: R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Effective recounted a turbulent 10-year relationship with Combs that she mentioned was consumed by violence and his obsession with a type of voyeurism. Combs selected to not testify.
Cassie’s lawyer says she ‘paved the way in which’
A lawyer for Cassie, who testified that Combs beat and raped her, lauded her braveness regardless of the decision.
“Though the jury didn’t discover Combs responsible of intercourse trafficking Cassie past an affordable doubt, she paved the way in which for a jury to seek out him responsible of transportation to have interaction in prostitution,” Douglas H. Wigdor mentioned in a written assertion.
“By coming ahead together with her expertise, Cassie has left an indelible mark on each the leisure business and the struggle for justice.”
How lengthy did the jury deliberate?
Total, the jury deliberated for about 13 and a half hours over the course of three days.
It’s been nearly two months since jury choice started on Might 5.
The decision got here because the jury confronted the prospect of coming into court docket July 3, whereas the courthouse is in any other case closed, or ready till after the lengthy Independence Day weekend to renew deliberating in the event that they didn’t have a choice on July 2.
Right here’s how the jury selected all costs: Rely one, racketeering conspiracy- not responsible; Rely two, intercourse trafficking of Casandra Ventura- not responsible; Rely three, transportation to have interaction in prostitution of Casandra Ventura- responsible; Rely 4, intercourse trafficking of the lady referred to as “Jane”- Not responsible; Rely 5, transportation to have interaction in prostitution for the lady referred to as “Jane” – responsible.
What Combs mentioned to his household as he left the courtroom
As Combs turned towards his household as he left the courtroom, he smiled as they applauded and mentioned: “I’ll be house quickly.”
He added: “I really like you, child” and, “I really like you, Mother.”
Combs will stay in custody because the decide considers the protection’s argument that the hip-hop mogul must be granted bail and launched till his sentencing.The decide says he wants time to resolve whether or not to grant Combs bail. He asks the prosecution and protection to every put together a letter arguing their place on whether or not Combs must be granted bail.
Prosecutors say they’ll search to have Combs incarcerated
The costs Combs was convicted of carry a most of 10 years behind bars, Assistant U.S. Lawyer Maurene Comey notes.
“Mr. Agnifilo (Combs’ lawyer) tried to downplay the importance” of the costs Combs was convicted of, “however the file says in any other case,” the prosecutor says.
She says the court docket has heard testimony of years of unlawful conduct, transporting intercourse employees, drug use and making an attempt to intimidate witnesses.
Comey argues there’s a “actual threat that he’ll flagrantly disregard orders from this court docket, that he’ll commit new crimes and that he’ll try and flee justice.”
This text was initially revealed by The Related Press.
