Diddy trial live updates: Jury yet to reach verdict in Sean Combs’s sex-trafficking case as deliberations continue for second day – UK Times

Judge Arun Subramanian has addressed the jury’s concern over the drug distribution element of the racketeering conspiracy charge raised towards the end of Monday’s deliberations.

In a note, the jury asked whether an individual can be found responsible for distributing drugs to someone who asked for them.

Subramanian responded this morning that he is sticking with his proposed language around the definition on page 37 of the jury instructions.

While the defense wanted to give jurors a broader legal context around drug offenses, Subramanian, visibly frustrated, replied, “That’s not the question the jury asked.”

“I have an obligation to answer the jury’s question,” he continued. “It would be improper to leave the jury at sea if they asked a direct question.”

This morning marks the second day of jury deliberations, and a key question remains: will jurors reach a verdict today?

On Monday, the jury raised two concerns with the court – a possible early indicator of the challenges they may face in weighing the case.

With testimony from 34 witnesses and a legally complex racketeering charge at its core, the deliberation process may take time. There is no set timeline: deliberations can last anywhere from a few hours to several days (or even longer).

Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing two charges of sex trafficking, two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution and a racketeering conspiracy charge.

Combs faces up to life in prison if he is convicted on the racketeering charge.

If he is found guilty of sex trafficking, he faces another statutory minimum sentence of 15 years.

Transportation to engage in prostitution typically carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

A jury of 12 New Yorkers finished their first day of deliberations in the sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Monday.

After weeks of graphic testimony from dozens of witnesses in Manhattan federal court, including Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, the panel of jurors will decide the music mogul’s fate.

Judge Arun Subramanian instructed jurors on how they should consider the charges against Combs and whether he is guilty or not, in a process known as “charging the jury” on Monday morning. He then sent them back to the jury room for deliberations.

Shortly after, the jury sent a note to the judge, claiming one juror was unable to follow his instructions. Subramanian sent a note back, encouraging jurors to continue deliberating and reminding them of their obligation to follow his instructions.

The jury raised the concern near the end of Monday’s deliberations and asked whether an individual can be found responsible for distributing drugs at the behest of someone who asked for them. Subramanian said he would provide an answer on Tuesday morning

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs could soon learn his fate in a trial that has accused him of racketeering and sex trafficking.

It comes nearly 10 months after prosecutors in Manhattan initially unveiled a three-count criminal indictment against Combs, accusing him of engaging in transportation for prostitution and conspiracy over more than 17 years.

A jury of 12 is now deliberating the charges against the mogul after hearing seven weeks of testimony in a New York federal courtroom.

Ariana Baio looks at the charges against Diddy and what they mean:

Judge Arun Subramanian gave instructions to the jurors on Monday before sending them off to deliberate.

The jury of eight men and four women must unanimously decide whether Combs is guilty or not guilty on each count.

Combs is facing two charges of sex trafficking, two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution and a racketeering conspiracy charge. Prosecutors have outlined 10 predicate acts to support the racketeering conspiracy charge and the jury must find that at least two were committed to return a conviction.

All 12 jurors must agree. If jurors don’t reach an agreement, they could come back and say they are deadlocked.

Traditionally, the judge would then encourage them to continue deliberating, but if they can’t reach a consensus, it would be up to the judge to decide whether to declare a mistrial.

Judge Arun Subramanian is expected to address the jury’s concern over the drug distribution element of the racketeering conspiracy charge – a central legal issue in Combs’s case.

The jury raised the concern near the end of Monday’s deliberations and asked whether an individual can be found responsible for distributing drugs at the behest of someone who asked for them.

Subramanian said he would provide an answer on Tuesday morning.

The government has proposed 10 predicate acts – a specific crime that forms part of a larger criminal pattern – that support the racketeering conspiracy charge.

The jury must unanimously find that at least two of those acts listed were committed to convict Combs of the specific charge.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul at the center of a bombshell sex trafficking trial in New York, has been behind bars at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center for nearly 300 days.

Combs, 55, was arrested on September 16, 2024, and faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

While some have described the prison as “hell on Earth,” Katie Hawkinson details what life is like for Combs behind bars:

A jury is set to return to deliberate for a second day inside Manhattan federal court Tuesday at the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

On Monday, jurors deliberated for five and a half hours without reaching a verdict after receiving instructions on the law from Judge Arun Subramanian.

The 12 New Yorkers on the jury are deciding whether prosecutors have proven sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges during the eight-week-long trial that began in May.