Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial updates: Bail denied due to 'propensity for violence'
Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
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Read ongoing updates in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.
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Sean Combs trial reaches an end with mixed verdict
The highly anticipated trial of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has reached an end.
The jury found Sean Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the most serious charge.
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."
Defense wants Combs released today
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo is arguing for Sean Combs to be released today.
"He should be released on appropriate conditions. ... He should be able to return to his home," he said.
Agnifilo said Combs would be willing to put up a $1 million cash bond that is cosigned by three financially reasonable people. Combs nodded his head as the argument was made.
"He has been acquitted of very serious charges,” he said. "It is my proposal he be permitted to walk out of the courtroom.”
“I am not saying it is not a serious crime. It is a crime of a vastly different nature," he said. "I believe that a significant change in conditions is warranted."
According to Agnifilo, Combs’ plane is currently in Hawaii and he does not have access to it.
Assistant United States Attorney Maurene Ryan Comey said the government opposes releasing Combs on bond.
She said he has committed a “litany of crimes” while incarcerated and shows “no respect” for the law.
“There is no reason to believe he would do anything different if he released now,” she said, arguing he poses a “danger” and will “flee from justice.”
“They reflect yearslong conduct that involves the hiring of the escorts but also physical abuse,” she said of the conviction, arguing Agnifilo underplayed the seriousness of the allegations.
The lawyers have until 1 p.m. to file letters on releasing Combs. They will reconvene in the afternoon.
When the judge mentioned Combs not wanting to go to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Combs vigorously shook his head and made prayer hands at the judge.
“You are going to have to cool your heels in the courthouse for a while,” the judge told Combs.
Combs found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution
The jury found Sean Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy (count 1).
The jury found Combs guilty of count 3 -- transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura) and guilty of count 5 -- transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym “Jane”).
He was not guilty of counts 2 and 4, which were both charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion in connection with Ventura and “Jane.”
Combs was overcome with emotion as the verdict was read. His feet were visibly shaking throughout the reading of the verdict.
Combs made praying hands to the jury as they stood to leave.
Combs found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy
The jury found Sean Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy (count 1).
Sean Combs enters courtroom
"We have reached a verdict on all counts," the jury wrote in a note at 9:52 a.m.
Sean Combs has entered the courtroom and took his seat next to his lawyers.
He briefly smiled toward his family and made praying hands as he walked to his seat. He is wearing a light-colored sweater over a collared shirt. The back of his shirt is slightly untucked.
The judge has not yet taken the bench and the jury hasn’t come into the courtroom.