Jury returns to deliberate for a second day at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex
trafficking trial
[July 01, 2025]
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER
NEW YORK (AP) — A jury returns to deliberate for a second day Tuesday at
the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
On Monday, jurors deliberated over five hours without reaching a verdict
after receiving instructions on the law from the trial judge, Arun
Subramanian.
They are deciding whether prosecutors have proven racketeering
conspiracy and sex trafficking charges during a trial that began in
early May.
Prosecutors say Combs for two decades used his fame, fortune and a
roster of employees and associates to help him coerce and force two
different girlfriends to repeatedly perform sexually with male sex
workers for days at a time while he watched and sometimes filmed the
drug-fueled events.
Defense lawyers say prosecutors are unjustly basing federal crimes on
what Combs did in the bedroom with his girlfriends as they participated
in the swinger lifestyle and on acts of domestic violence involving
their client.
Combs, 55, could face 15 years in prison to life behind bars if he is
convicted of all charges.
After pleading not guilty, Combs chose not to testify as his lawyers
built their arguments for acquittal mostly through lengthy cross
examinations of dozens of witnesses called by prosecutors, including
some of Combs' former employees who took the witness stand reluctantly
only after being granted immunity.
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 When jurors first left the room to
begin deliberating on Monday, Combs sat for a while slumped in his
chair at the defense table before standing and turning toward three
rows of spectators packed with his family and friends.
Those supporters held hands and lowered their heads
in prayer, as did Combs, who was several feet from them in the well
of the courtroom. After they finished, they together applauded, and
so did Combs, still clapping as he turned back toward the front of
the room.
Combs also showed off two books he’s reading: “The Power of Positive
Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and “The Happiness Advantage” by
Shawn Achor.
Barely an hour into deliberations, the jury foreperson sent a note
to the judge, complaining that there was one juror “who we are
concerned cannot follow your Honor’s instructions. May I please
speak with your Honor or may you please interview him?”
The judge decided instead to send jurors a note reminding them of
their duties to deliberate and obligation to follow his instructions
on the law.
By day's end, the jury seemed back on track, requesting
clarification about what qualifies as drug distribution, an aspect
of the racketeering conspiracy charge that will help determine
whether Combs can be convicted or exonerated on the count.
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