Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted on Wednesday on federal charges related to the transportation of women for prostitution but was cleared of racketeering and sex trafficking, avoiding a potential life sentence.
The split verdict followed a high-profile trial in New York that lasted several weeks and centered on allegations brought by two of his former romantic partners.
Prosecutors presented testimony from 34 witnesses, including former girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman known in court only as “Jane.”
Both women accused Combs of subjecting them to violent abuse, coercion and exploitation.
Federal authorities alleged that Combs leveraged his wealth and status to orchestrate a criminal enterprise concealed behind his music career.
The prosecution argued that he deliberately isolated the women, tightly controlled their movements and coordinated their travel across state lines as part of a broader scheme to facilitate illegal activities.
Prosecutors presented evidence they said showed Combs maintained dominance over his partners by restricting their movement, limiting access to money and facilitating travel across state lines for illegal purposes.
The jury deliberated for several days before returning its verdict.
Upon hearing the outcome, Combs reportedly dropped to his knees inside the courtroom and lowered his head to the defense table, Trending Politics reports.
His attorneys embraced, and family members in attendance quietly celebrated the partial acquittal.
No outburst was reported, and court security remained in place during the proceedings.
The scene outside the courthouse was different.
Supporters waited near the exit and erupted into chants of “Free Puff!” as Combs emerged with security and entered a waiting vehicle.
The public reaction reflected the widespread attention the case had drawn, particularly among Combs’s longtime fans and critics.
NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas, who covered the trial, described the outcome as a major loss for the prosecution.
“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,” she said.
“This is undoubtedly a massive blow to the prosecution, who brought 34 witnesses.”
Melas also noted signs of juror disinterest during closing 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 added during her live report.
Throughout the trial, Combs’s legal team maintained that the relationships in question, while emotionally complicated and imperfect, were fully consensual and did not constitute criminal behavior.
They emphasized that no physical evidence supported claims of organized trafficking or racketeering.
The defense acknowledged past misconduct but rejected the notion of a criminal enterprise.
With the racketeering and trafficking charges dismissed, Combs now faces sentencing on the lesser counts.
A date has not yet been set, and the court has not ruled on whether he will remain in custody until then. He has been held without bail throughout the trial.
His legal team has not indicated whether they plan to appeal the remaining convictions.
The post Jury Clears Diddy on Racketeering Charges, Convicts Him on Lesser Counts in Federal Trial appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Gloriel Howard
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