Sean Combs faces life in prison as jury fails to agree on racketeering; judge holds off reading verdict
Sean “Diddy” Combs’s high-stakes federal trial has taken a dramatic turn, with the jury reaching a partial verdict but stalling on the most serious charge — racketeering conspiracy. After more than 12 hours of deliberations, jurors told Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday that they were deadlocked, citing “unpersuadable views” on both sides.
The 55-year-old music mogul stands accused of running a criminal sex trafficking enterprise involving drug-fuelled orgies, coercion, and abuse — allegations he strenuously denies. The case centres around disturbing testimony, including accounts from his former partner, Cassie Ventura and a male escort, detailing events at so-called “freak-offs,” which prosecutors say involved non-consensual acts and heavy drug use.
The jury has delivered a decision on four of the five federal charges, but Judge Subramanian has not yet read them out. The court will resume deliberations, holding out hope for a unified verdict on the racketeering count.
Inside the courtroom, tension crackled. As news of the partial verdict broke, Combs remained still at the defence table, his fingers twitching against his leg. When discussions between lawyers began, he bowed his head and closed his eyes. Around him sat his mother, Janice Combs, and six of his seven children, all watching silently from the gallery.
Earlier in the day, with jury deliberations ongoing, Combs reportedly turned to his mother and said, “I’ll be alright. Love you,” according to CNN.
The courtroom drama began Monday, with jurors immediately signalling concern over a colleague’s ability to follow legal instructions. Judge Subramanian responded by issuing a stern reminder of their duties and the importance of impartial deliberation.
Combs, who chose not to testify, built his defence on long, forceful cross-examinations. His legal team argued the government had tried to criminalise a consensual, if unconventional, swinger lifestyle. Prosecutors, however, alleged coercion, psychological manipulation, and systematic exploitation under the guise of celebrity excess.
Cassie Ventura’s emotional testimony and that of escort Daniel Phillip appeared to sway the courtroom, offering lurid details of parties where participants, under pressure, performed sexual acts while Combs allegedly watched and directed. Baby oil, hired male performers, and surveillance all featured in witness statements, casting a grim shadow over Combs’s public persona.
As deliberations continued, Combs clutched two self-help books permitted by the court: The Power of Positive Thinking and The Happiness Advantage. At one point, his family formed a prayer circle and applauded as Combs turned toward them before facing the jury once again.
Though the jury has not reached a final verdict, the implications are enormous. If convicted of all charges, Combs could face 15 years to life in prison. A hung jury on the racketeering charge could result in a mistrial on that count, while convictions on the remaining charges may still bring lengthy sentences.
Judge Subramanian has so far declined to declare a mistrial or read out the verdicts, stating the deliberation process must continue. Both prosecution and defence teams agreed that 12.5 hours was not enough to abandon the effort for consensus.
As deliberations resume, the nation waits. The trial, already one of the most high-profile celebrity cases in recent memory, has raised questions about power, exploitation, and the blurred lines between fame and accountability.
If the jury remains split, prosecutors could seek a retrial on the racketeering charge. But for now, the spotlight remains fixed on a courtroom in New York — and on the fate of Sean Combs.
