A significant development has emerged in the federal sex-trafficking and <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/07/01/live-updates-sean-diddy-combs-trial-jury-deliberates-verdict-instruction-concerns-with-juror-no-25/” title=”Diddy Trial: Jury Deliberations Resume, Juror Issue Emerges”>racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. The jury, after two days of intense deliberation in a lower Manhattan courtroom, has signaled a partial decision, reaching verdicts on four of the five criminal counts Combs faces. However, the panel remains unable to reach a unanimous agreement on the central charge: racketeering conspiracy (Count 1).
This impasse on the most complex count means that despite potentially having decided on other serious allegations, the jury is currently hung on the core accusation that Combs led a criminal enterprise. Court was adjourned Tuesday evening, with the jury instructed to return Wednesday morning to specifically focus on continuing deliberations for the unresolved racketeering charge.
Jury Signals Partial Verdict, Hits Snag on RICO
The twelve-person jury, composed of eight men and four women, delivered a note to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday, July 1, revealing they had reached conclusions on four counts. These charges include the two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The precise verdicts on these four counts remain sealed and unknown at this time.
Crucially, the note also informed the judge that the jury was deadlocked on the fifth charge, the sprawling racketeering conspiracy count. Jurors reportedly cited “unpersuadable views” on both sides, indicating a fundamental disagreement that they have been unable to resolve through discussion so far.
Judge Urges Continued Deliberation
Upon receiving the jury’s note regarding the partial verdict and deadlock, Judge Subramanian instructed the panel to hold off on formally announcing any partial decisions. Instead, he directed them to continue their deliberations, emphasizing the need to make every effort to reach a unanimous verdict on the remaining racketeering charge.
This situation is reminiscent of other high-profile cases where juries have struggled with complex charges after resolving simpler ones. Both the prosecution, representing the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, and the defense teams agreed that the jury should persist in their discussions. The prosecution even suggested the possibility of the judge issuing a variation of an “Allen charge,” an instruction that encourages jurors to reconsider their positions without abandoning their honestly held beliefs, in an effort to avoid a hung jury. The defense, while agreeing the jury should talk more, felt such a strong instruction might be premature.
Ultimately, the jury concluded deliberations for Tuesday with the understanding they would return the following morning, Wednesday, July 2, at 9 a.m. ET, with their focus squarely on resolving the racketeering conspiracy count.
Understanding the Racketeering Charge
The racketeering conspiracy charge, brought under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), is central to the prosecution’s case and is widely considered the most complex count Combs faces.
To convict Combs on this charge, prosecutors must prove several elements beyond a reasonable doubt. These include demonstrating that an agreement existed among at least two people to participate in a criminal enterprise, that Combs was a willful member of this enterprise, and that he knowingly committed at least two “predicate crimes” as part of the conspiracy. These predicate crimes, in this case, are linked to the alleged sex trafficking and transportation offenses. The prosecution contends that Combs used intimidation, narcotics, and other means as part of this alleged enterprise. The sprawling nature of the allegations, reportedly encompassing events over many years and multiple locations, contributes to the complexity that the jury is now grappling with.
Trial Context and Potential Outcomes
The jury’s deliberations began on Monday, June 30, following a six-week trial that commenced on May 12. This trial has seen testimony from over 30 witnesses.
Key witnesses included Combs’ former longtime girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who settled a civil suit with Combs for $20 million just before his arrest. Ventura testified during the trial, providing graphic accounts, and the jury specifically requested transcripts of her testimony regarding an alleged 2016 assault at a Los Angeles hotel, incidents at the Cannes Film Festival, and “freak offs.” They also requested testimony from former escort Daniel Phillip about an incident at the Essex House hotel. The defense argued that Combs’ alleged actions amounted to domestic violence or criminalization of his lifestyle, not federal felonies.
Combs, who pleaded not guilty to all charges and refused a plea deal, has been in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest. He has failed multiple attempts to secure release on a $50 million bail. He was present in court during the jury’s note and the judge’s instructions. Notably, the defense presented a very brief case last week, lasting only about 30 minutes, and did not call any witnesses, including Combs himself.
The jury’s current status on the racketeering charge introduces uncertainty. If they remain deadlocked, the judge could potentially accept the partial verdicts on the other four counts and declare a hung jury on the RICO charge, which could lead to a retrial specifically on that count. If the partial verdicts are guilty on the four counts, Combs could face significant prison time, potentially years behind bars, even if acquitted on RICO. A conviction on all five counts could result in a life sentence.
Judge Subramanian has reportedly aimed to conclude the trial by the upcoming July 4th holiday, which falls on Thursday. The jury’s return on Wednesday means a verdict could potentially be reached by the end of that day, though the complexity of the remaining deliberation makes any outcome uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial jury verdict?
The jury in the Sean “Diddy” Combs federal trial has reached partial verdicts on four of the five charges against him, including sex trafficking and transportation counts. However, they are currently deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous decision on the top charge, which is racketeering conspiracy. The specific outcomes of the four settled counts remain sealed for now.
Why is the jury struggling to reach a decision on the racketeering charge?
The racketeering conspiracy charge (Count 1) is considered the most complex charge Combs faces. Under the RICO Act, it requires the prosecution to prove multiple elements, including the existence of a criminal enterprise, Combs’ willful participation, and the commission of at least two specific “predicate crimes” linked to the enterprise. The jury note indicated jurors have “unpersuadable views,” suggesting deeply held disagreements on whether these complex legal requirements have been met based on the evidence presented during the trial.
What happens next now that the jury is deadlocked on the RICO charge?
Following the jury’s note about the deadlock, Judge Arun Subramanian instructed the jurors to continue deliberating, specifically focusing on the racketeering conspiracy count. The jury is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, July 2, at 9 a.m. ET to resume their discussions. If they remain unable to reach a unanimous verdict on RICO after further deliberation, the judge could potentially declare a hung jury on that count, which might lead to a retrial on the racketeering charge in the future, while potentially accepting any verdicts reached on the other four counts.
The Road Ahead
With the jury returning to court on Wednesday, the focus is intently on their continued efforts to reach a verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge. The outcome of this deliberation could significantly impact Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal future, potentially determining whether he faces a retrial on the top count or if this phase of the trial concludes with a resolution, albeit potentially a partial one, this week. The courtroom in Manhattan will be watching closely as the jury attempts to break its deadlock.
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References
- deadline.com
- www.nbcnews.com
- www.usatoday.com
- abc13.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/es-es/news/ni65361199/?ref=nwcart_perm”>www.imdb.com
