Sean “Diddy” Combs has been acquitted from his most serious charges, sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, and was found guilty of lesser crimes. The jury, after three days of deliberations, reached a verdict finding him guilty on two accounts of transportation for prostitution.
Combs’ defense team views this verdict as a win. Once the verdict was read, Combs was seen falling to his knees in prayer while his family applauded in the background. He, however, still faces a considerable amount of jail time. Each account of transportation for prostitution carries as much as 10 years in prison. The prosecutor, Maurene Comey, says they will seek the maximum sentencing of 20 years.
During this two-month trial, taking place in Manhattan, Combs’ defense team did not call a single witness to stand. Combs himself did not testify. The prosecution argued that for over two decades Combs leveraged his power and wealth to exploit and sexually abuse women, with three main women being prominent figures in the case – Cassandra Ventura, an ex-girlfriend, and two others using pseudonyms.
The US District Judge, Arun Subramanian, has not yet decided if he will grant bail to Combs while he awaits sentencing on the transportation charges. The decision will be made later today, Wednesday July 2. The defense team is asking for a bail of $1 million dollars. This request also includes limiting Combs’ travel to parts of Florida, New York, California and New Jersey, and he would surrender his passport and be drug tested by pretrial services.
