Sean “Diddy” Combs remains in legal limbo as jurors in his federal trial reached a partial verdict but failed to agree on the most serious charge: Diddy racketeering trial conspiracy, which could carry a life sentence if convicted.
The 12-person jury in New York federal court returned on Tuesday afternoon to inform Judge Arun Subramanian they had reached a verdict on four of the five charges. However, they remain split on the racketeering charge — a count that prosecutors have described as the cornerstone of the government’s case Diddy racketeering trial.
Tense Moments in the Courtroom
Combs, 55, sat with his head bowed and hands folded in court as his attorneys comforted him during the announcement. Deliberations have lasted two days so far and are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, July 3. Jurors may even deliberate on July 4th weekend if necessary, despite the court typically closing for the holiday Diddy racketeering trial.
Federal prosecutors have requested an Allen charge — a controversial instruction designed to push deadlocked jurors toward a consensus. Defense attorneys argue such measures can unfairly pressure jurors in the minority to change their stance. Learn more about Allen charges here.
What Are the Charges Against Diddy?
Diddy, who has gone by names such as Puff Daddy, P Diddy, and Love, is facing five federal charges:
- One count of racketeering conspiracy
- Two counts of sex trafficking
- Two counts of transportation for the purpose of prostitution
Witnesses during the two-month trial included former employees, male escorts, ex-partners, and federal agents. The government alleges that Combs directed a criminal enterprise that arranged “freak-offs” — prolonged sexual events involving coercion, drugs, and escorts — as part of a wider trafficking ring.
Racketeering Charge: The Hardest to Prove
The racketeering conspiracy charge is modeled on the federal RICO statute, originally designed to prosecute mafia leaders. Prosecutors must prove that Combs organized or led an enterprise with a coordinated plan to commit multiple crimes over several years. According to former federal prosecutor Robert Mintz, this is always one of the most complicated charges to get a unanimous conviction on.
“It’s not surprising that the racketeering charge is causing the jury the most difficulty,” Mintz told the BBC. “It’s a complex and high bar to meet.”
What’s at Stake?
If convicted of the racketeering charge, Combs could face life in prison. The sex trafficking counts each carry a minimum of 15 years, while transportation for the purpose of prostitution carries a maximum of 10 years.
Combs, a mogul in both music and fashion, remains detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September 2024. His attorneys have argued for release citing poor jail conditions, but a judge denied bail, citing Combs as a flight risk.
Combs’ Career and Fall from Grace
Diddy rose to fame in the 1990s as the founder of Bad Boy Records, propelling artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, and Mase. He later built a successful clothing line, Sean John, and hosted reality TV shows such as Making the Band. In 2023, he released The Love Album: Off the Grid, earning his first solo Grammy nomination and an MTV Global Icon award.
His reputation took a major hit in 2024 after leaked CCTV footage showed him assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016 — a scandal that reignited public scrutiny and opened the floodgates for dozens of lawsuits.
To learn more about the charges against Combs and what racketeering involves, read our full breakdown of the Diddy racketeering case.
Stay with The Morning News Informer for further updates as the jury resumes deliberations this week.
