Tune into ABC at 10/9c Wednesday for an ABC News special, “Verdict: The Diddy Trial,” on the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial, and streaming next day on Hulu and Disney+.
The jury found Combs guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura) and guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym "Jane").
He was found not guilty of both charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion in connection with Ventura and "Jane."
Combs was accused of being the ringleader of an alleged enterprise that "abused, threatened and coerced women" into prolonged, drug-fueled sexual orgies with male prostitutes, which he called "freak-offs," and then threatened them into silence. Combs has said that all of the sex was consensual and that while his relationships sometimes involved domestic violence, he wasn't engaged in trafficking.
Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said Combs was simply part of the swinger lifestyle and that he "vehemently denies the accusations made by the SDNY."
Jul 02, 2025, 7:23 PM EDT
'Today is a victory of all victories': Defense
Sean Combs' defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told reporters today is a "great day" while speaking outside the courthouse following the bail hearing.
"Today is a win," Agnifilo said. "Today is a victory of all victories for Sean Combs."
Marc Agnifilo, attorney for Sean "Diddy" Combs, addresses the media as attorneys Teny Geragos, Alexandra Shapiro, Xavier Donaldson and Nicole Westmoreland stand beside him, following a bail hearing, after the jury reached verdicts in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial, in New York, July 2, 2025.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Agnifilo said the jury was "wonderful."
"They listened to every word, and they got the situation right, or certainly right enough," he said. "They acquitted him of the sex trafficking, which he was absolutely innocent of. They acquitted him of the racketeering conspiracy that he was absolutely innocent of."
Jul 02, 2025, 6:00 PM EDT
Judge agrees to move up sentencing date
After defense attorneys asked for a more expedited sentencing, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian agreed to move up the sentencing date from October. He did not set a new date for the sentencing itself.
For now, he set a remote conference for July 8 at 2 p.m. to hear arguments about next steps for pre-sentence process, including Combs' interview with the court's probation department.
Jul 02, 2025, 6:00 PM EDT
Combs briefly tries to raise hand to speak after judge denies request for release again
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian again denied the request to release Combs.
Sean Combs briefly tried to raise his hand to speak in court. The judge seemed to ignore the move and instead asked Assistant United States Attorney Maurene Comey to respond to the defense arguments.
"He is extremely violent with an extraordinary temper who has shown no remorse and no regret," said Comey. "His brazenness is unmatched."
Jul 02, 2025, 6:00 PM EDT
Judge cites defense's admission of domestic violence in denying bail
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian told defense attorneys that Sean Combs’ continued detention is in part because of the argument used by his lawyers to secure a partial acquittal -- that Combs engaged in domestic violence but not sex trafficking.
"You full-throatedly in your closing argument told the jury that there was violence here, and domestic violence is violence," Subramanian said. "You said this was a case that did have violence."
"As to the basic question of violence, you conceded that in your closing," Subramanian added.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, next to his lawyer Teny Geragos, reacts after learning he will not be released on bail, during his sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial in New York, July 2, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
Combs was seen passing multiple notes to defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, who continued to plead for the judge to release Combs.
"I just think we should trust him. He is not going to flee," Agnifilo said. "He just deserves the chance."
"If the trial showcases one thing, he has done remarkable things in his life. He has these flaws in his personality, which are significant and held him back," he said. "He is a man who is in the process of working on himself."
Subramanian has so far not indicated a willingness to change his ruling. The hearing continues.
