*After six weeks of intense courtroom testimony and two days of deliberation, a Manhattan jury delivered a split verdict in the high-stakes federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs. The music mogul was convicted on one count of transportation to engage in prostitution but was acquitted on the more severe charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The trial, which began on May 5, 2025, was centered around whether Combs operated a criminal enterprise or simply engaged in consensual relationships. Federal prosecutors accused Combs of using his celebrity power to carry out a long-running pattern of coercion, violence, and abuse over two decades.
Among the 34 witnesses called to testify were Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who detailed years of physical and sexual abuse, and another witness, identified only as “Jane,” who claimed a three-year relationship with Combs was riddled with threats, manipulation, and drug-fueled encounters arranged by the defendant.
Despite these testimonies, jurors could not agree on the racketeering conspiracy charge. On Tuesday, they informed the court they were deadlocked, citing “unpersuadable opinions on both sides.” The following morning, they returned with a verdict: not guilty on racketeering and sex trafficking, but guilty on the prostitution-related charge. The Independent reports that Combs was cheered by fellow inmates upon his return to jail after his acquittal on serious charges that could have led to life in prison, his attorney reveals.
Each of the two counts tied to the prostitution charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, leaving Combs facing up to 20 years behind bars. An appeal is expected.
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Combs, who was arrested in September 2024, has maintained his innocence, denying all allegations of abuse, trafficking, and non-consensual activity.
As AllHipHop reports, opting not to have Combs testify was considered a pivotal moment. Robert Shapiro, renowned for securing O.J. Simpson’s 1995 acquittal, commended the defense’s approach. “The defense team did a terrific job on a case the U.S. Attorney overcharged. An acquittal in Federal Court is highly unusual. Congratulations to Mark and Tenny for building an incredible group of talented lawyers,” Shapiro told Fox News.
Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz also commended the legal team, headed by Teny Geragos and Marc Agnifilo, drawing parallels to the O.J. Simpson trial. “Ultimately, the smart decision was not putting OJ on the witness stand,” Dershowitz said.
“The smart decision here was not putting Combs on the witness stand. The difference is we want a complete victory. They got a partial victory, but an almost complete victory, so I commend them for excellent work,” Dershowitz added.
Diddy’s defense team included attorneys Brian Steel, Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier R. Donaldson, and Alexandra Shapiro.
In a twist of irony, Combs’ sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2025—30 years to the day after O.J. Simpson was famously acquitted.
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