NEW YORK – Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty of a prostitution-related crime but was acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and assault.
The mixed results came on the third day of deliberation. He could send the 55-year-old comb to prison for 10 years, potentially ending his career as a hit-making music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality television star.
The foreperson confirmed that the verdict reached was unanimous.
After they read the verdict, Combs raised his hands in prayer movements, looking at the ju judge and embraced his defense attorney, Tenny Jelagos.
Combs skipped people across the country, including his girlfriend and paid male sex workers, engaged in sexual encounters and was caught up in felony violations of the Federal Man Act.
However, the eight men and four female ju-degrees acquitted the comb of conspiracy and sex trafficking charges related to allegations that he uses his money, power and horrifying physical power to manipulate his girlfriend into hundreds of drug-burning sex marathons with men.
Combs and his defense team argued that the woman was willing to participate, and that none of his violence justified the harshness of the accusation.
After the verdict was read, the judge spoke about ju-searching guidance on speaking to the media, the public and others about the case.
Combs continues to subtly pump his right fist, appearing to be happy that he has been acquitted at the most serious fee.
Combs appeared to have arrived in court early Wednesday morning. This contrasted with his mood a day before he learned that the ju judge at his sex trafficking trial had reached a verdict that has yet to be kept secret, except for one of the five charges faced by hip-hop moguls.
Comb smiled and clasped his hand in the air towards his family and supporters before embracing some of his lawyers and sat awaiting the outcome of the ju judge’s third day deliberation.
After a while, Combs, whose head bowed, sat with his head bowing in prayer, standing less than a few feet from his family. As they did on Monday, Comb and his family praised him before being led from the court by the former US. The family later arrived in the van and left the courthouse.
On Tuesday, US District Judge Arun Subramanian ordered the ju apprentices to continue their discussion of the doors closed on the third day after a panel of eight men and four women said they could not reach a consensus on the top count.
The judge agreed to the prosecutor and the defence team of the Comb that less than 13 hours of deliberation could not give up on everything and reach the verdict of all counts.
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In a memo to the court late Tuesday, the ju judge said that “inevitable opinions on both sides” among some ju judges had prevented the group from reaching an unanimous verdict on alleged conspiracy to assault.
The conspiracy is the most complicated charge at trial and the potential sentence for the greatest life in prison.
Sex trafficking fees will be charged a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum life sentence. Transportation engaged in prostitution has been sentenced to the highest prison sentence for 10 years.
The disclosure of the ju judge’s memo regarding the partial verdict seemed to have made the defense attorney and his clients feel even before being read in public court by the judge.
Eight defense lawyers formed a semicircle behind the comb as the smiles and light atmosphere accompanying the arrival of other ju apprentice papers over the course of two days thought that the lawyers could have reached an agreement on the count in which the ju apprentice will be responsible for the penalty of the heaviest sentence.
Comb looked gross as his lawyer spoke to him. At one point, the hip-hop mogul had solely read the paper handed to him by Attorney Mark Agnifilo.
A modest comb sat in his chair for several minutes after the ju apprentice came to direct and left the room. As he tried to leave, he faced relatives and supporters in the audience, blew kisses and smacked him in the heart.
He then paused in front of his mother, exchanged several words, and told her, “I love you” and “I’m fine.”
Marshall then led him out of the room.
Early in their deliberations, the ju apprentices asked to review testimonies from Diddy’s former longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Kathy, and from Daniel Phillip.
Prosecutors say Combs forced two girlfriends into a drug-fueled sex marathon along with a male sex worker.
The lawyer for the founder of Bad Boy Records claims that prosecutors are trying to criminalize Combs’ Swinger Lifestyle. They say that his actions, if ever, amounted to domestic violence rather than federal felony.
Comb chose not to testify.
Michael R. Sissack and Larry Neumeister, Associated Press