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- Diddy jury says it has reached a verdict on all but 1 charge (businessinsider.com)
Jury Deliberations in Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial Reach Verdict on All But One Charge
The Manhattan federal jury in the sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs has reached a verdict on four of the five charges. Jurors informed US District Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday afternoon they remain undecided on the racketeering conspiracy charge. The specifics of the verdicts reached have not been disclosed.
The other charges relate to sex trafficking allegations involving key prosecution witness and R&B singer Cassie Ventura, and another of Combs’ exes, identified in court as “Jane.” The jury note, read aloud by Judge Subramanian, stated, “As to count one, we have jurors with unpersuadable opinions on both sides.”
This was the second day of deliberations. The prosecution requested the judge issue the Allen charge, typically given to deadlocked juries.
However, the defense argued it was premature, given the progress on the other charges, and suggested the jury simply continue deliberating. Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo emphasized the jury’s progress on four counts distinguished this case from other situations where such instructions might be warranted.
Judge Subramanian ultimately directed the jury to continue their deliberations.
Combs, dressed in a beige sweater and white shirt, remained composed in court, occasionally acknowledging his family members seated behind him. Former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow (not involved in the case) commented that reaching verdicts on other charges suggests the jury might be leaning toward conviction on most, if not all, of them, noting that the racketeering conspiracy charge is the most complex.
Earlier on Tuesday, the jury requested transcripts of Ventura’s testimony regarding specific incidents, including an altercation at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, an event in Cannes, and an incident with dancer Daniel Phillip, who also testified. They also requested transcripts of Phillip’s testimony about an alleged encounter with Ventura at New York’s Essex Hotel. Providing the requested transcripts involved some discussion among the legal teams and the judge, particularly concerning the testimony related to the InterContinental Hotel incident, where Combs was recorded on security camera in an altercation with Ventura.
The jury received the case on Monday. Shortly after deliberations began, the jury raised concerns about a juror’s ability to follow instructions.
The judge addressed the issue and instructed the jurors to continue their work. Such internal jury issues, according to Chutkow, can sometimes be advantageous to the defense.
If convicted on the top counts, Combs could face a life sentence.
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- Diddy jury says it has reached a verdict on all but 1 charge (businessinsider.com)