Combs jury decides on some counts; verdict not yet known
The jury at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial has reached a verdict on four of the five counts the music mogul faces, the judge overseeing the case said on Tuesday, without revealing what the jury's verdict was.
The jury in Sean Combs sex trafficking trial reached a partial verdict on four of five charges. Deliberations continue on the racketeering conspiracy count, while Casandra Ventura testimony Freak Offs remains pivotal in the Diddy partial verdict racketeering charges.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the jury had informed him in a note toward the end of its second day of deliberations that it had reached a verdict on the two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution that Combs faces, but had not been able to reach a verdict on racketeering conspiracy.
Before Subramanian read the jury's note, Combs rubbed his eyes and rested his face against his palm while seated at the defense table with his lawyers huddled around him. One defense lawyer, Brian Steel, rubbed Combs' shoulder. Two of Combs' other defense lawyers put their arms around each other.
The partial verdict comes after a seven-week trial in which two of the music mogul's former girlfriends testified that he physically and sexually abused them.
Prosecutors say Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture, was charged with racketeering because for two decades he used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed.
His lawyers acknowledged that the Bad Boy Records founder, once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, was at times violent in his domestic relationships. But they said the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual.
Earlier on Tuesday, the jury asked to review portions of the testimony of the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, who testified that Combs forced her to take part in "Freak Offs" throughout their decade-long relationship.
Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture, could face life in prison if convicted of sex trafficking or racketeering.
Source: japantoday.com
