Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been convicted on two of the five charges brought against him in his racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking trial.
On the first count of the five-count indictment — racketeering conspiracy — the jury found Combs not guilty.
On the second count — sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion involving Cassie Ventura — the jury found Combs not guilty.
On the third count — transportation for the purpose of prostitution, also involving Ventura — the jury found Combs guilty.
On the fourth count — sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion involving a woman identified as “Jane” — the jury found Combs not guilty.
On the fifth count of the indictment — transportation to engage in prostitution, also relating to “Jane” — the jury found Combs guilty.
Each conviction for transportation to engage in prostitution carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
After six weeks of testimony, overseen by U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian, during which the prosecution called 34 witnesses while the defense called none, the jury — composed of eight men and four women — deliberated for just over two days before delivering their verdicts.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian stated he would rule on whether Combs will be released later today. He noted that the decision could take some time, as both sides will be given an opportunity to submit written arguments for and against release, but assured it would be resolved before the day ends. Prosecutors requested “a few hours” to prepare their submission.
Prosecutor Comey emphasized that the government intends to seek “significant incarceration” for Combs.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Combs leveraged his various businesses — and the employees who ran them — to operate a criminal enterprise that coerced women into sex and covered up his alleged misconduct to protect his public image. According to the indictment, his alleged crimes included “sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for prostitution, coercion and enticement into prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
Beyond the racketeering charge, the indictment listed two separate counts each of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution, involving two alleged victims.
Over six weeks of testimony, the prosecution presented 34 witnesses, beginning with Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who was captured in a widely circulated 2016 hotel surveillance video being physically assaulted by Combs.
Other witnesses included two alleged victims of Combs, identified in court as “Mia” and “Jane,” who testified under pseudonyms. Additionally, two male escorts testified that they were hired to participate in so-called “freak-off” sexual encounters involving Combs, Cassie Ventura, and other alleged victims.
The jury also heard from witnesses who claimed to have seen instances of abuse and sexual acts, as well as from a forensic psychologist who explained why many victims remain in abusive relationships.
One of the most prominent prosecution witnesses was rapper Scott Mescudi, known professionally as Kid Cudi, who testified that Combs allegedly broke into his home and ordered someone to set his car on fire after learning he was dating Cassie Ventura. Combs has previously denied any involvement in the incident.
Source: LINDA IKEJI BLOG