Sean “Diddy” Combs, the 55‑year‑old music mogul, stood in a Manhattan federal courtroom today (2 July), where a jury delivered a partial verdict in his federal trial. Over a month of testimony from 34 witnesses laid bare lurid allegations, including coercion of former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and “Jane” (real name remains anonymous), into drug‑fuelled sexual gatherings dubbed “freak‑offs”.

After around 12–14 hours of arduous deliberations, jurors reached verdicts on four of the five counts. They found Combs not guilty on the most serious charge; racketeering conspiracy under the RICO Act, and two not guilty verdicts on sex‑trafficking counts by force, fraud or coercion. However, he was convicted on two lesser counts: transportation of individuals to engage in prostitution.

Legal observers noted the jury had “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” regarding the racketeering count, prompting Judge Arun Subramanian to instruct continued deliberations into the RICO conspiracy.

While Combs avoided the most severe outcomes, life imprisonment under racketeering charges, each conviction on the prostitution counts carries up to 10 years’ imprisonment. A formal sentencing hearing for the counts already decided is expected later this summer.

Verdict breakdown:

Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy -  NOT GUILTY

Count 2: Sex Trafficking Cassie Ventura - NOT GUILTY

Count 3: Transportion of Cassie Ventura and Sex Workers To Engage In Prostitution - GUILTY

Count 4: Sex Trafficking of Jane - NOT GUILTY

Count 5: Transportion of Jane and Sex Workers To Engage In Prostitution - GUILTY

The broader implications for the music industry remain to be seen, as Combs’ career and brand now face a critical inflection point. Despite the partial victory, industry analysts predict major damage to his legacy. Several endorsement partners and collaborators have already distanced themselves since the trial began in early June.