A verdict has been rendered in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, as a jury found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but exonerated him on the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. That means Diddy will not be facing the life sentence he otherwise could have received. There have been many opinions following the decision, and one juror spoke out regarding accusations that Diddy’s fame played into the verdict.
That juror, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke to ABC News after a legal pundit theorized that the music mogul’s celebrity influenced the jury to find him not guilty of the more serious charges he faced. The juror didn’t hold back, responding:
I found that statement highly insulting and belittling to the jury and the deliberation process.
why Diddy needed 1,000 bottles of baby oil and first-hand accounts of what allegedly happened at the now-infamous “freak-offs.” Following the mixed verdict, the juror defending the work they did, saying:
P. Diddy’s former chef wrote a letter to the judge, saying she feared for her safety if and when the rapper is released from prison. The legal team for Cassie Ventura — Diddy’s ex-girlfriend whose testimony was vital to the prosecution — also told the judge she could be at risk if he were freed.
Meanwhile, Big Homie — one of Diddy’s former bodyguards — has left the United States “indefinitely.” Homie says he knows he’s going to be “target No. 1” and that there have already been “adequate and imminent threats” to his life.
Sentencing for Sean Combs has been set for October 3, but a remote meeting will be held this week to discuss expediting the process. Regardless of what happens during this next phase of Diddy’s legal situation on the federal level, the rapper is still facing dozens of civil lawsuits, including one new suit for millions of dollars on accusations including sexual battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The nameless juror maintains that they rendered a decision based on the testimony that was given and by definition of the law, not based on the level of his celebrity. Even with being exonerated on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, it sounds like Diddy’s legal troubles are far from over. Stay tuned for what comes next.