Here’s What Happened When Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Was Found Guilty On Two Of Five Charges In Sex Trafficking Trial
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Social media is ABLAZE over Sean “Diddy” Combs being found guilty on only two counts in his high-profile sex trafficking trial, with the jury acquitting him of the more serious charges.
NBC News reports that the jury delivered the verdict, convicting Combs, 55, of the Mann Act transportation of former girlfriend Jane and the Mann Act transportation of Casandra Ventura which, together, carry a potential sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
He was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking.
Following the mixed verdict, prosecutors requested that he remain in custody until sentencing, and told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that the government will seek the maximum 20-year sentence.
However NBC News reports that Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, pushed for his release, noting that the jury acquitted Combs on the most serious charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking.
He asked the court to allow Combs to return home to Miami under supervision and offered a $1 million bond.
The seven-week trial (held in the Southern District of New York) featured testimony from 34 witnesses, including Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, who took the stand in her third trimester of pregnancy.
She gave harrowing testimony detailing years of alleged abuse and graphic accounts of the so-called ‘Freak Offs.’
Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard also testified, sharing her own experiences and corroborating key elements of Ventura’s account, including Combs’ violent outbursts and alleged threats to those within his circle.
Just before closing arguments, prosecutors dropped several charges—kidnapping, attempted arson, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking, per TMZ. Prosecutors appeared unable to tie Combs directly to the alleged kidnapping of Cassie and Capricorn Clark or the explosion of Kid Cudi’s car.
During closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik called on the jury to hold Combs accountable after decades of alleged unchecked power.
“For 20 years, the defendant got away with his crimes. That ends in this courtroom,” she said. “The defendant is not a God. He is a person. And in this courtroom, he stands equal before the law.”
Combs’ defense team did not call any witnesses. Instead, attorney Marc Agnifilo argued that while Combs had made mistakes, including admitting to domestic violence involving Ventura, the sex acts described during the trial were consensual.
“It takes a lot of courage to acquit,” Agnifilo told jurors, urging them not to be swayed by Combs’ fame or the intensity of the prosecution’s case.
As expected, the verdict sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, prompting highly anticipated responses from proud Diddy nemesis 50 Cent, dedicated Diddy supporter Boosie, and Diddy’s ex-boo Yung Miami who was immediately dragged for a cryptic Instagram Story post and ’11:11′ tweet on Twitter coincidentally posted after the verdict.
Seemingly unbothered by the backlash, the former City Girl (who never publicly severed ties with Diddy despite the disturbing charges against him) tweeted through the dragging and promoting her new Caresha Please red cups.
What was your reaction to the Diddy verdict? Do you think he’ll get anything close to 20 years? Tell us down below and peep the social media hysteria over the verdict on the flip.
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