No verdict after day considered one of jury deliberations in Diddy intercourse trafficking trial

[ad_1] WARNING: This story incorporates allegations of sexual violence and will have an effect on those that have skilled it or know somebody affected by it.

Jury deliberations obtained underway on Monday in Sean "Diddy" Combs's federal intercourse trafficking trial and hit a snag virtually as quickly as they began. However, by the top of the day, jurors indicated they have been making progress weighing complicated expenses that would put the hip-hop mogul in jail for all times.

The primary day of deliberations noticed a flurry of notes from the jury and Combs and his supporters bowing their heads in prayer within the courtroom — however no verdict.

The jury of eight males and 4 ladies are sifting by way of seven weeks of typically graphic and emotional testimony in regards to the rap, vogue and actuality TV impresario's propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, together with drug-fuelled intercourse marathons dubbed "freak-offs " or "resort nights."

About an hour in, the foreperson alerted the court docket {that a} juror was having bother following the choose's directions. That prompted the choose to ship a observe again reminding jurors that they have to abide by what he stated.

"We're involved [the juror] can't observe your honour's directions," the foreperson wrote in a observe simply after 12:30 p.m. native time.

Choose Arun Subramanian despatched his observe to the jury after 2 p.m. native time, reminding jurors to deliberate and to observe his directions on the regulation.

After the choose initially proposed asking the jury foreperson the character of considerations in regards to the fellow juror, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo steered warning and that much less be stated quite than extra.

Combs's attorneys proposed that the choose remind the jury that they've solely simply begun deliberating and to renew doing so. If there are additional issues, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo steered, the jury can have the foreperson ship one other observe.

"We will all the time ratchet it up. We won't ratchet it down," Agnifilo stated.

The jury despatched one other observe about three hours later asking for clarification on the a part of the directions addressing drug distribution — an allegation included within the racketeering conspiracy cost Combs faces.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not responsible to federal expenses of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking — relating to 2 of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution, for allegedly arranging to fly intercourse staff throughout state strains.

In closing arguments final week, federal prosecutors and Combs's defence staff took their final pictures at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founding father of Dangerous Boy Data.

LISTEN | Combs on trial: Entrance Burner 34:11 Diddy on trial

"The defendant used energy, violence and concern to get what he needed," assistant U.S. legal professional Christy Slavik stated. "He thought that his fame, wealth and energy put him above the regulation."

She stated that he used his "shut interior circle and a small military of non-public workers, who made it their mission to fulfill the defendant's each need, promote his energy and shield his repute in any respect prices."

Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo countered: "This is not about crime. It is about cash." He famous that considered one of Combs's accusers within the felony case additionally sued him in civil court docket.

"He isn't a racketeer. He isn't a conspirator to commit racketeering. He's none of these items. He's harmless. He sits there, harmless. Return him to his household, who've been ready for him," the lawyer informed jurors.

In all, 34 witnesses testified, headlined by Combs's former girlfriends Cassie — the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and "Jane," who testified below a pseudonym. Each ladies stated he usually was violent towards them. Cassie stated he pressured her into lots of of sexual encounters with paid male intercourse staff whereas Jane recounted quite a few "resort nights."

WATCH | Combs would not testify at intercourse trafficking trial: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs doesn’t testify as intercourse trafficking trial nears finish

The intercourse trafficking trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is nearing an finish with out the famed rapper/producer taking the stand in his defence. Jurors additionally noticed now-infamous safety digicam video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles resort in 2016, and clips from movies of sexual encounters.

Combs selected to not testify, and his attorneys did not name any witnesses of their defence case. His attorneys elected as an alternative to problem the accusers' credibility throughout prolonged cross-examinations.

The defence has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, however his attorneys keep that the intercourse acts have been consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs's private life and that he is performed nothing to warrant the costs in opposition to him.