A judge has ruled that Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in custody after a jury found him guilty of transporting individuals for prostitution, although he was cleared of the more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
Combs’ lawyers had pleaded for his release, insisting he had no intention of fleeing, especially since his private jet was tied up in Hawaii. But Judge Arun Subramanian was unmoved, pointing to Combs’ history of violent behaviour as reason enough to keep him behind bars until his sentencing later this year.
Throughout nearly two months of intense courtroom proceedings in New York City, federal prosecutors painted a picture of the music mogul as someone who weaponised his fame and sprawling business empire to lure and exploit women for sex.
After spending over half a day in deliberation, the jury decided to acquit him of three out of five charges, sparing him the harshest convictions.
For now, Combs will remain at the federal jail in Brooklyn, where he has been locked up since September. His sentencing date has been set for October 3, and he could be looking at a prison sentence that stretches up to 20 years.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, made an impassioned argument for the judge to release his client.
The defence lawyer said Combs had attended a programme for perpetrators of domestic violence to try to reform his conduct, even before he was arrested, and that he had not been violent since 2018.
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“I just think we should trust him,” Agnifilo said.
Combs’ former partner, musician Casandra Ventura, had written to the court warning that releasing him would be dangerous, painting a picture of a man whose freedom could pose serious risks.
Although the rapper admitted to acts of domestic violence, he firmly denied ever forcing anyone into sexual acts or operating any kind of organised criminal scheme.
Judge Arun Subramanian, however, said he could not ignore the defence’s own admission of violence in Combs’ personal life, which ultimately influenced his decision to keep him in custody.
Inside the courtroom, emotions ran high as the jury returned its verdict. While they cleared Combs of the gravest charges of racketeering and sex trafficking – both crimes that could have put him behind bars for life – the moment remained intense.
Upon hearing the outcome, Combs dropped to his knees, buried his face into his chair, and trembled, appearing to be deep in prayer.
The verdict followed a tense day in court, with jurors earlier telling the judge they had reached conclusions on the charges of sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution, but remained split over the racketeering allegation.