The Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial Jury reached a verdict on 4 of 5 counts in the Sex Trafficking Case but failed to Reach an Agreement on the Racketeering Conspiracy Charges
On July 1, 2025, after nearly 14 hours of deliberations over two days, the jury reached a partial verdict. They agreed unanimously on four of the five federal charges against Combs, but remaining deadlocked on the fifth, the racketeering conspiracy under the RICO Act. The unresolved charge could carry life in prison if convicted
The prosecution’s remaining counts include:
- Two counts of sex trafficking, alleging Combs coerced victims during “Freak‑Offs”
- Two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution
It is not yet disclosed whether Combs was found guilty or not guilty on those four counts and the court is withholding the specifics. The jury report noted people held “unpersuadable views” on the RICO charge, prompting Judge Subramanian to instruct continued deliberations. Both sides prefer a full jury resolution, rejecting a partial verdict.
Combs, who chose not to testify, and whose defense rested without calling witnesses, watched stoically. Legal observers characterized the approach as a high-stakes gambit and one expert called it “high stakes poker”
Jurors will resume deliberations today, July 2, aiming to break the impasse.
How We Got Here: A Timeline of a Long-Running Case
Late 2023 – Early 2024: Accusations & Civil Lawsuits
- In November 2023, ex-partner Cassie Ventura filed suit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, accusing Combs of rape, sex trafficking, and decades-long abuse.
- Within weeks, other accusers surfaced alleging drug-facilitated assaults, gang rape, including underage victims. By October 2024, forms indicated over 120 lawsuits were in motion.
March 2024: Federal Investigation Underway
- A DHS raid of Combs’s NY, LA, and Miami homes seized drugs, weapons, and electronics.
- Footage later revealed an assault on Ventura in 2016, drawing sharp public criticism.
September 16, 2024: Federal Charges & Arrest
- Combs was arrested in NYC and indicted on charges including: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation for prostitution.
- Repeated bail denials followed; Combs has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center.
May 5, 2025: Trial Begins
Jury selection started, followed by testimony from over 30 witnesses. It included Ventura and a male stripper, detailing a pattern of abuse and coercion at “Freak-Off” events.
The prosecution portrayed a “criminal enterprise” run through Combs’s staff. The defense admitted to past violence in relationships but argued the acts were consensual and private.
Defense rested in late June 2025 with closing arguments completed, and jury deliberations commenced on June 30.
What All This Could Means for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Sex trafficking and prostitution counts carry mandatory minimums of15 years for trafficking. The full sentences depend on the final verdicts.
The racketeering charge under RICO includes alleged predicate acts like drug distribution, kidnapping, bribery, and arson. If convicted, Combs could face decades to life in prison.
A hung jury on that count may prompt a mistrial and separate retrial, unless a breakthrough reaches unanimity.
Legal opinions are split. Some former prosecutors express doubt that sex trafficking convictions will hold, citing the high burden to prove coercion. Others believe RICO may actually be the easier charge to prove if the enterprise elements are clear.
Public Opinion of the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial
1. Media & Social Influence
Social media influencers and livestreamers (especially younger voices on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube) are broadcasting from outside the Manhattan courthouse in real time, drawing large followings. Their sensational commentary (“Diddy‑lations”) often emphasizes emotion over legal nuance.
Some outlets criticize this trend, warning it may blur fact and entertainment for viewers.
2. Echoes of #MeToo vs. Defensive Narratives
The case has polarized online communities. Prominent figures in the so‑called “manosphere,” like Myron Gaines, are casting it as an opportunistic campaign against powerful men, questioning accusers’ motives.
Meanwhile, a strong counter-narrative emerges among survivors’ advocates, who point to the trial as a crucial example of #MeToo accountability.
3. Courthouse Activism
Reports describe individuals being paid (~$20/hour) to wear “Free $Diddy” and “Free Puff” T‑shirts outside the courthouse—some appear unhoused—raising questions about whether it’s grassroots support or a paid promo (possibly tied to the $DIDDY crypto token), though Combs denies involvement.
4. Family Support & Jury Influence
Combs’s family, his mother and six children, have been visibly present and tearful in court, creating an emotional backdrop. Legal analysts suggest subtle familial cues might carry weight with jurors and public perception.
5. Celebrity & Legal Commentary
Public figures have weighed in: rapper Suge Knight, serving time in prison himself, said Combs “belongs in prison” for the violence captured assaulting Cassie Ventura.
With high-profile testimonies and splashy evidence, public trust is fragmented. Furthermore, some claim Combs lost the “court of public opinion” before verdicts were even announced.
Looking Ahead
Jury deliberations resumed on July 2, and if unresolved, may continue through the Independence Day holiday period.
The court may declare a partial verdict or declare a mistrial on racketeering alone if the deadlock holds.
Public confidence in the verdicts may shape future civil suits, and Netflix and Peacock docuseries are airing, increasing the spotlight.
