Entertainment
NEW: Diddy’s Jaw-Dropping Verdict Is Released
A New York jury split its verdict in the case of Sean “Diddy” Combs, the rapper and hip hop producer who for weeks has been at the center of a federal trial where he stood accused of racketeering, prostitution, and a slew of sordid crimes.
On Wednesday, jurors found the legendary music producer guilty on lesser crimes of transportation of former girlfriends for prostitution, though they acquitted him on more serious counts of racketeering and sex trafficking. If convicted on all, Combs could have faced up to life in prison.
The verdict will be viewed as a victory for Combs, 55, who, through his attorneys, maintained throughout the trial that his relationship with former girlfriend Cassie Ventura was flawed but consensual. He acknowledged a history of violence but stopped short of admitting guilt before going to trial.
Crowds of supporters could be heard outside the courtroom chanting “Free Puff! Free Puff! Free Puff!” as he walked past and hopped into his family’s idling van.
NBC’s Chloe Melas, speaking outside the courtroom, explained why the monumental decision was a lifeline to Combs.
“Prosecutors, they painted Combs as somebody that was beating women, which they owned up to, but running a criminal enterprise and that he sex trafficked two of his former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and also “Jane,” who testified under a pseudonym. This is undoubtedly a massive blow to the prosecution, who brought 34 witnesses,” Melas said.
She described being inside the courtroom and watching as the government’s prosecutors failed to convince the jurors, who delivered their verdict with stone-faced looks.
“You could tell that there were several of them that were not buying what the prosecution was putting forth in their arguments. I saw some roll their eyes. I saw some even fall asleep. Some clearly not buying what the prosecution was saying in their closing arguments,” she explained.
Combs could be seen falling to his knees in court shortly after the verdict was read, offering up a prayer of thanks and laying his head on the table. Defense lawyers hugged while family members cheered from the gallery.
It is now up to a judge to decide whether Combs will be free pending his sentencing. He has been held without bail leading up to and during the trial.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Sean “Diddy” Combs found guilty on just 2 of the 5 charges in his s*x trafficking trial.
“The defense won three acquittals, with Combs found guilty of the Mann Act transportation of former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and ‘Jane’,” NBC reported.
Diddy was found not… pic.twitter.com/Q0tj9jhapQ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 2, 2025
