What happens now as Diddy trial reaches partial verdict but expert warns of one 'clue' to eventual outcome
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual harassment which some readers may find distressing
After nearly eight weeks, the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs appears to be nearing its conclusion after the jury reached a partial verdict on the celebrity rapper.
The US performer was arrested last year and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, something which is likely to land him life in prison if the jury finds him guilty on all charges.
Diddy has denied all charges against him.
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Yesterday afternoon (1 July) saw the jury make their decision on four of these counts, leading to a partial verdict, and a final decision is expected within the coming days.
Here's everything we know including what a partial verdict actually means, what jurors have agreed on so far and what happens next.
What does a partial verdict mean?
A partial verdict means that the jurors were only able to return a verdict on some of the counts or some of the defendants prior to the remaining matters before it.
Defendants may also be retried for any submitted offence upon which the jury was unable to agree upon.
What have jurors reached a verdict on so far in Diddy’s trial?
In the case of Diddy, the jurors have made their decision when it comes to the two sex trafficking charges and the two for transportation to engage in prostitution.
Throughout the last two months, the jury have heard evidence from a number of witnesses who took to the stand to share their experience of working with or having a relationship with the 55-year-old rapper.
Many of the allegations come from his former partner Cassandra Ventura, who has shared horrifying claims around Diddy's infamous 'Freak Off' parties, where on his instructions, she would hire male escorts such as 'The Punisher' to sleep with while the musician watched on, the court heard.
Which charge against Diddy can jurors not agree on?
The only thing which jurors have not yet agreed on is Combs' racketeering conspiracy charge, something which carries a maximum sentence and could see the rapper spend the rest of his life behind bars.
A note passed to the judge stated: “We have not reached a verdict on count one because we have unpersuadable jurors on both sides.”
Racketeering falls under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act which was passed in 1970 in an effort to clamp down on organised crime.
It's a complex charge and was originally used to try and combat Mafia operations, but has since gone on to be used in a broader range of alleged crimes.
Essentially, to be found guilty of the charge it has to proven you ran or conspired with a 'criminal enterprise'. Racketeering can take many forms including kidnapping for ransom, drug trafficking, cyber extortion or even illegal gambling.
In the case of Combs, the indictment claims he used his many businesses, including label Bad Boy Records, as a criminal organisation 'to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct'.
What happens next in Diddy’s trial?
Judge Arun Subramanian told the panel yesterday: “I received your note that you have reached verdicts on count 2-5 but not on count 1. I ask at this time that you keep deliberating."
Court will resume at 9.00am in New York (2.00pm UK time) when they will once again be asked to discuss the racketeering charge and make a crucial decision on that.
Counts two and four have a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life. Counts three and five carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, so it seems clear that he will spend a long time in jail if the jury convict him of all charges.
CNN analyst Ellie Honig argued that this is likely to be the case, saying: "It is hard for me to fathom, logically, that there are multiple jurors who basically say he is guilty of racketeering, but he’s not guilty of all the other crimes, the other sex trafficking crimes and interstate prostitution crimes.
"So honestly, that would be the conversation I’d be having right now if I was in the prosecution room. I would take some heart in that.
"I would be encouraged by that as a prosecutor, that that suggests we might have guilty verdicts on the other counts."
Diddy continues to deny all charges but showed some emotion for one of the first times in the trial after reassuring his mum and rubbing his eyes during yesterday's session.
What happens if jurors still can’t agree?
A hung jury, also called a deadlocked jury, is a judicial jury that cannot agree upon a verdict after extended deliberation and is unable to reach the required unanimity or supermajority.
In the US, a hung jury may result in the case being tried again, although presumably a new jury will only have to judge the rapper on his racketeering charge.
However, another day of deliberation could see a final verdict be delivered today.
Topics: Diddy, US News, Celebrity News
James Moorhouse