NEED TO KNOW
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Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty of prostitution charges and acquitted on the most serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking
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Thirty four witnesses testified during the weeks-long trial, including his ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura
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Combs was accused of coercing women to participate in drug-fueled “freak off” parties and running a criminal enterprise over two decades
A Manhattan jury reached a verdict on Wednesday, July 2 finding that Sean “Diddy” Combs was guilty of prostitution charges.
The music mogul was acquitted of the most serious charges – sex trafficking and racketeering – after a seven-week trial.
Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and legal commentator, says Combs may not be given a lengthy sentence.
“He is likely going to get little to no time,” he tells PEOPLE. “He may even get time served and prostitution has a 10 year maximum. But the fact that he was acquitted of the most serious counts, The government would not have brought this case had they thought they could only get prostitution.”
“[This was] a huge overwhelming win by the defense and a tremendous loss for the prosecution,” says Rahmani. “There is no other way to spin it. This is the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.”
Rahmani says Combs will most likely stay in jail pending a pre-sentence report and a report from U.S. probation but he expects the rapper’s attorneys to ask for a bond to have him released immediately.
“The judge may actually grant bond because he’s been acquitted of the most serious counts,” says Rahmani. “So I would expect them to make a renewed motion for bond. But even if that motion is denied, he’s going to be out soon.”
Thirty-four witnesses testified during the weeks-long trial, including Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Combs coerced Ventura and another woman who testified under the pseudonym “Jane,” to take part in drug-fueled marathon sex sessions called “freak off” parties or “hotel nights” that sometimes lasted for days.
Combs was also accused of running a criminal enterprise over two decades — with help from his staff and inner circle — that committed crimes including arson, bribery and kidnapping.
Combs, she said, enlisted his “close inner circle and a small army of personal staff, who made it their mission to meet the defendant’s every desire, promote his power and protect his reputation at all costs,” according to the AP.
His defense attorney argued that Combs, who did not testify, was innocent of all charges against him.
“Return him to his family, who have been waiting for him,” Marc Agnifilo said, per AP.
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During the trial, the jury was also shown the infamous video of Combs chasing, beating and kicking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel lobby in 2016. She alleged the attack took place when she was trying to leave a Freak Off session.
The seven-week trial had plenty of dramatic moments outside the explosive testimony. At one point, a woman yelled several profanities before Judge Arun Subramanian ordered her removed from the courtroom.
“These motherf—ers are laughing at you,” the woman yelled at Combs.
She then said, “you’re laughing at a black man’s legacy” and “pull your gun out ninja, I dare you.”
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