Sean 'Diddy' Combs found guilty on 2 of 5 counts in NYC trial, Internet calls it 'miscarriage of justice'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was found not guilty on the most serious charges in his high-profile federal trial in New York.

The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, July 2, followed two full days of deliberations by a 12-member jury.

Diddy convicted under Mann Act, acquitted of racketeering and trafficking allegations

While Sean "Diddy" Combs was acquitted of racketeering and trafficking-related allegations, he was convicted on two lesser charges related to transporting individuals.

Had he been convicted of another charge as well, he could have spent the rest of his life in prison, as per People.

The jury of eight men and four women returned a split verdict. Combs was convicted on counts three and five, both tied to transportation for purposes of prostitution, also known as the Mann Act.

“He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years for each of those counts,” TMZ reported.

Jurors reached the unanimous decision Wednesday morning after telling Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday that they had reached a verdict on four of the five charges but were deadlocked on the racketeering (RICO) count.

The judge instructed them to keep deliberating, and the next day, the verdict was finalized half an hour after they arrived in the courtroom. 

The trial began in May and ran for nearly seven weeks. Prosecutors called 34 witnesses, including Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, Combs’ former partner of 11 years, who testified while eight-and-a-half months pregnant.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal team rests without defense witnesses in federal courtroom

Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team chose not to call any witnesses, including Diddy himself. They argued the prosecution had failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Despite his partial acquittal, Combs continues to face multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct.

Still, the not guilty verdict on the most serious charges marked a significant legal win for the 54-year-old music producer, who had spent months in custody before the trial and now appears visibly aged with gray hair.

Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and legal commentator, told People that Combs may not be given a lengthy sentence: “He is likely going to get little to no time."

He said, the government "would not have brought this case" had they thought they could only get him convicted on lesser charges. 

"[This was] a huge overwhelming win by the defense and a tremendous loss for the prosecution," Rahmani said.

Internet erupts after Sean 'Diddy' Combs' verdict

Reactions to the verdict flooded social media platforms, with many expressing outrage and disbelief over the outcome.

"This is literally proof that good connections will help you get out of anything… absolutely crazy," one person wrote on X.

"Unbelievable," said another.

"Disgusting. absolutely no justice," added one more.

Another noted, "Not guilty on major charges, but still found guilty on one. This isn’t over."

"Shame," one user simply put. 

Another weighed in with, "Will Diddy return to his old ways?"

“Justice can always be swayed for a few million bucks,” another user claimed.

One particularly upset voice online asked, "What is wrong with the jurors in this case? This man was so guilty. What a miscarriage of justice. Disgusting!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.