A New York jury delivered a mixed verdict, clearing the hip-hop mogul of sex trafficking and running a criminal enterprise while convicting him on lesser charges.
Sean Combs Found Not Guilty in High-Profile Trial, Reacts Emotionally
Sean Combs Found Not Guilty in High-Profile Trial, Reacts Emotionally
In a dramatic courtroom scene, Sean 'Diddy' Combs was acquitted of major charges, dramatically falling to his knees in relief.
In a highly anticipated verdict on Wednesday morning, Sean "Diddy" Combs was found not guilty of running a criminal enterprise with employees and sex trafficking his former girlfriends. Upon hearing the jury's decision, Combs experienced a wave of emotion, falling to his knees and burying his face in a chair at the defense table, overwhelmed after two grueling months of trial.
As the foreperson began to read the verdict, the courtroom fell silent. Dressed in an off-white sweater and pants, Combs maintained composure until the jury acquitted him of the most serious charge of racketeering, at which point he lowered his head in response. When sex trafficking charges were also cleared, he put his face in his hands in a moment of disbelief. Despite the not guilty verdict on the most severe allegations, the jury did convict him on lesser charges related to transporting individuals for prostitution, a decision that weighed heavily on him.
Following the read-out of the verdict, a wave of relief swept through Combs, who expressed gratitude with a prayer gesture directed toward the jury and later his family—his twin daughters, sons, and 85-year-old mother—whom he assured, “I’m coming home.”
Outside of the courtroom, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Combs’ team of attorneys, including Teny Geragos, struggled to contain their emotions, with tears flowing as the verdict was recounted. With the jury's decision, Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo promptly requested the judge to release him, emphasizing that there was no reason for him to remain incarcerated as he awaited his bail hearing.
Combs' emotional reaction was palpable. Not only did he express his appreciation by bowing his head onto the table, he stood up to applaud his legal team and embrace his supporters, whose cheers and celebrations echoed in the packed courtroom.
After a heartfelt farewell to his attorneys and family, Combs was escorted out of the courtroom, awaiting the upcoming bail hearing that would determine his freedom. As the trial's significant conclusions unfold, listeners are encouraged to catch updates on the case through the BBC podcast, "Diddy on Trial," available on all major platforms.
