Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial Concludes with Mixed Verdict in High-Profile Case

New York, NY – July 2, 2025 – After an intense eight-week trial that gripped the nation, hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs walked away from a Manhattan federal courtroom with a partial victory on Wednesday. The jury delivered a split verdict, acquitting Combs of the most serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking while convicting him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Combs, 55, a three-time Grammy winner and founder of Bad Boy Records, faced five charges stemming from allegations that he ran a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution. Prosecutors accused Combs of coercing two former girlfriends—singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman identified as “Jane”—into participating in drug-fueled sexual encounters known as “freak-offs” with male escorts. The allegations painted a stark contrast to Combs’ public persona as a charismatic music icon, with the prosecution arguing he used “power, violence, and fear” to orchestrate his crimes.

The trial, which began in May 2025, featured testimony from 34 prosecution witnesses, including Ventura, who recounted a 2016 incident captured on hotel surveillance video showing Combs physically assaulting her. Another key witness, Deonte Nash, a stylist and friend of Ventura, testified about Combs’ alleged pattern of violence. The prosecution, led by Christy Slavik and Maurene Comey, emphasized that Combs’ actions went beyond consensual relationships, alleging coercion and manipulation at the heart of the “freak-offs.”

Combs’ defense team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, took a different approach, portraying the music mogul as a flawed but not criminal figure. Agnifilo admitted to Combs’ struggles with drug use and instances of domestic violence but argued that the sexual encounters were consensual, part of a “swingers lifestyle.” In a lively and at times folksy closing argument, Agnifilo urged the jury to see Combs as a man who “takes care of people” and to return him to his family, including his mother, Janice, and sons, Christian and Justin, who were frequent courtroom presences.

After deliberating for over a day, starting June 30, the jury reached a verdict on July 2. They found Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy—a charge that could have carried a life sentence—and two counts of sex trafficking related to Ventura and Jane. However, the jury convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, one tied to Ventura and the other to Jane. The guilty verdicts stem from evidence that Combs paid for travel expenses for individuals involved in these encounters, including a 2023 instance where he facilitated travel from Atlanta to Miami.

The courtroom atmosphere was tense as the verdicts were read. Combs, visibly emotional, was seen praying with his head down before his family erupted in cheers and applause upon hearing the acquittals on the top charges. Outside the courthouse, journalists and onlookers gathered, with some expressing mixed sentiments. A statement from UltraViolet, a women’s rights organization, called the verdict “a stain on a criminal justice system that for decades has failed to hold accountable abusers like Diddy,” reflecting frustration among some advocates.

Prosecutors are seeking a four- to five-year sentence for the prostitution-related convictions, arguing that Combs poses a continued risk, citing his alleged history of violence and witness intimidation. A letter from Nash urged the judge to keep Combs detained, warning that releasing him could embolden further threats. Meanwhile, Combs’ defense proposed a $1 million bond for his release pending sentencing, with conditions like surrendering his passport and restricting travel. Judge Arun Subramanian is set to decide on bail at a 5 p.m. hearing Wednesday.

While the federal trial has concluded, Combs’ legal battles are far from over. He faces multiple civil lawsuits, which legal experts say could be complicated by the mixed verdict. Defense attorney Misty Marris noted that Combs’ acquittal on the top charges may bolster his defense in civil cases, though he could be compelled to testify, unlike in the criminal trial.

The trial’s outcome has sparked varied reactions. On social media, some users hailed the acquittals as evidence of a flawed system, while others decried Combs’ convictions as insufficient given the allegations of violence.

As the dust settles, the case remains a lightning rod for discussions about power, privilege, and justice in the entertainment industry. For now, Combs awaits his sentencing, with the world watching to see what’s next for the embattled music legend.