The jury in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs will continue deliberations after delivering a partial verdict but failing to reach a consensus on the most serious charge, racketeering.
At Manhattan’s federal courthouse, the 12 jurors informed the court Tuesday that they had reached unanimous decisions on four of the five counts. However, they remain divided on the racketeering charge, which carries a potential life sentence.
Combs, 55, appeared somber in court, sitting with his head bowed and hands clasped.
His legal team was seen offering quiet reassurance as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Jurors will return Wednesday to resume discussions.
The music mogul has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. Over the past two months, the jury has heard from 34 witnesses, including former partners, ex-employees, male escorts, and federal agents.
At around 4:30pm EDT (20:30 GMT) on Tuesday, after two days of deliberations, the panel reported agreement on four counts but said they were unable to resolve the racketeering charge due to “immovable opinions” on both sides.
Judge Arun Subramanian heard arguments from both prosecutors and defence attorneys on how to proceed. He urged the jury to continue deliberating in hopes of reaching a unanimous verdict. The decisions on the four resolved charges were not disclosed.
Prosecutors requested the judge issue an Allen charge, a set of instructions meant to encourage consensus in a deadlocked jury. The use of such instructions is debated, with critics warning they may pressure minority jurors to change their stance.
Jurors are expected back in court Wednesday and could potentially be asked to continue deliberations into 3 July, despite the court typically closing ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
The jury’s swift agreement on most counts could signal strength in the prosecution’s case, said Robert Mintz, a former federal prosecutor and current criminal defence lawyer.
However, Mintz noted the racketeering charge was always expected to be the toughest to prove. “That was always going to be the most challenging charge for prosecutors to get a conviction on,” he said.
“It’s a very complicated charge, used typically in organised crime cases, so it’s not surprising it’s the one giving the jury the most difficulty.”
Combs, also known by stage names such as Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love, rose to prominence in the 1990s. He later founded the Sean John fashion label and produced several reality TV shows.
In 2023, he released “The Love Album: Off The Grid,” earning his first solo Grammy nomination. He was also named a Global Icon at the MTV Awards.
