New York – A jury in New York delivered a partial verdict on Tuesday in the high-profile sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, signaling progress on some charges but indicating an impasse on the most serious count: racketeering.
The 12-member jury, composed of eight men and four women, reached decisions on four of the five counts facing Combs after commencing deliberations midday Monday. However, they informed the court they were unable to come to a unanimous agreement on Count 1, the sprawling racketeering charge.
Presiding Judge Arun Subramanian acknowledged the jury’s communication and instructed the panel to continue deliberating specifically on Count 1. The verdicts reached on Counts 2, 3, 4, and 5 remain sealed and will not be revealed publicly until the jury reaches a verdict on Count 1 or is deemed unable to do so.
Jury Communication Reveals Deliberation Status
The jury conveyed their status to the court via a written note that read: “We have reached a verdict on counts 2, 3, 4 and 5. We are unable to reach a verdict on count 1 as we have jurors with unpersuadable opinions on both sides.”
This note signals a hung jury on Count 1, indicating a fundamental disagreement among jurors that, if persistent, could lead to a mistrial on that specific charge. Deliberations are scheduled to resume on Wednesday morning, July 2, 2025, as the jury attempts to resolve their deadlock on the racketeering count following the seven-week trial.
The Charges Against Combs
Sean Combs faces charges including sex trafficking involving two women. One accuser is identified as Ventura, a former partner, and the other as a woman proceeding under the pseudonym Jane. Both women provided testimony during the trial, detailing allegations of abuse and coercive sex, according to information presented in court.
The most complex charge, Count 1 – racketeering – alleges that Combs led a criminal organization spanning decades. This organization is accused of involvement in a wide array of illegal activities including, but not limited to, forced labor, drug distribution, kidnapping, bribery, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, arson, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. This charge serves as the central pillar of the prosecution’s case, attempting to connect the various alleged criminal acts into a pattern of organized criminal activity under Combs’s direction.
The Defense’s Position
Throughout the extensive trial, Combs’s defense team has vehemently denied the sex trafficking and conspiracy allegations leveled against him. They have argued that the relationships described in the accusations were consensual. The defense has sought to portray Combs not as a criminal figure, but as a “self-made, successful Black entrepreneur,” a narrative aimed at counteracting the prosecution’s depiction of a man leading a criminal enterprise.
What Happens Next
The jury’s return to deliberations on Wednesday morning, July 2, 2025, will focus solely on Count 1. They will attempt once more to reach a unanimous verdict, either guilty or not guilty, on the racketeering charge. If they remain unable to do so, Judge Subramanian will need to assess whether further deliberation would be fruitful or if the jury is truly deadlocked, which could result in a mistrial on that count.
The partial verdicts reached on Counts 2 through 5 will remain sealed until the status of Count 1 is resolved. Should the jury ultimately reach a verdict on Count 1, all five verdicts will be read. If a mistrial is declared on Count 1, the court will then address the verdicts on the other counts, potentially followed by a decision from the prosecution on whether to retry Combs on the racketeering charge.
The outcome of the racketeering count carries significant legal weight due to its broad scope and the potential penalties it entails. The jury’s ability, or inability, to find a unified position on this charge will be a determining factor in the final resolution of this closely watched trial involving one of the most prominent figures in the global music industry.
