Sean “Diddy” Combs, the one-time global hip-hop titan whose federal trial unveiled harrowing testimony accusing him of sexual abuse against women and forced drug-dazed “freak offs,” was acquitted Wednesday on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but found guilty of lesser charges.
The jury’s verdict, delivered on the third day of deliberations, declared Combs, 55, not guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, but guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The verdict is seen as a win for Combs and his defense team, which did not call a single witness during the seven-week trial. After the verdict was read, his family stood in the background, clapping and cheering. Combs fell to his knees in prayer. As he left the courtroom, he told his family, “thank you, love you.”
Teny Geragos, one of Combs’ attorneys, broke out in tears. His lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, made a fist in triumph as the defense team hugged each other and hugged his family.
Combs still faces considerable prison time. At sentencing, the prostitution transportation charge carries as much as 10 years in prison per count. Prosecutor Maurene Comey said the government would seek the maximum of 20 years.
Agnifilo asked U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian to release Combs from federal detention, where he has been for nearly a year. He also asked for Combs to be released on conditions to his home in Miami and offered a $1 million bond.
Subramanian said he would review whether to release Combs later Wednesday after receiving arguments from prosecutors and the defense.
Combs’ family, including his mother and son Justin Combs, left the courthouse shortly after the verdict. A crowd of supporters swarmed the family’s waiting van, shouting “Free Puff! Free Puff! Free Puff!”
His mother, Janice Combs, later returned to the courthouse, waving to onlookers and fans and blowing kisses.
Outside of court, Combs’ supporters celebrated with baby oil, an apparent reference to supplies witnesses said were provided for “freak offs.” A woman in a bikini danced as a man drizzled baby oil on her from a nearby ledge.
Amid the throngs of onlookers were the influencers who have been chronicling the trial from the courthouse since it began roughly two months ago.
Los Angeles-based YouTuber Armon Wiggins, who has more than 285,000 followers, declined to share thoughts on the verdict itself, but acknowledged a victory of a different sort.
“We changed the face of media. We changed the face of how news gets out.” Wiggins said. “It was a fight in the beginning because a lot of times people don’t respect the new media, but I’m one of those people who’s willing to fight with the traditional media because we do numbers.”
The trial has drawn nationwide attention despite there being no cameras allowed in court. To follow along with what was happening in the courtroom, people turned to traditional media sources as well as influencers who were at the trial.
Wiggins said since he began covering the trial, he’s gained about 60,000 new followers on YouTube and nabbed several radio and TV appearances, including on TMZ and NewsNation.
Source: NBC News
