A verdict in the trial of Sean P Diddy Combs has been reached by the jury on all charges but one. On Tuesday July 1 in the United States, Wednesday morning Australian time, Jurors reached a partial verdict, informing Judge Arun Subramanian a consensus had been reached on two counts of sex trafficking and two on transportation to engage in prostitution.
However, after deliberating for 12 hours, the jury remains undecided on the fifth charge against Diddy for racketeering. The charges accuse the music mogul of running a criminal enterprise with his employees that was responsible for over two decades of misdeeds.
According to The New York Times, Judge Subramanian asked the jury to continue their discussions to come to a final verdict.
“I ask at this time that you keep deliberating,” Judge Subramanian said.
He went on to reread the instructions to the panel, reminding them, “no juror should surrender his or her conscientious beliefs for the purpose of returning a unanimous verdict.”
The outcome of the already decided verdicts have not yet been revealed and will likely remain so until the final charge is decided upon by the jury.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges laid against him, including racketeering.
Racketeering Meaning In P Diddy Trial
Racketeering pertains to “dishonest and fraudulent business dealings” and was originally outlawed in relation to organised crime. In recent years the charge has become more encompassing and has been used in cases against R. Kelly and even Donald Trump.
In Diddy’s case, prosecutors allege the rapper used his business Comb Enterprise to force women into sexual encounters that have since been dubbed “freak offs”.
When Will The Jury Make Their Final Verdict?
Right now, the jury is hung on the final racketeering verdict against Diddy.
In a note shared with the court following their 12-hour deliberations, they revealed, “We have jurors with unpersuadable opinions on both sides,” the panel said in a note about their progress.
The 12 person jury, which consists of eight men and four women, are expected to return on Wednesday at 9 a.m (New York time).
If the jury ultimately cannot come to a verdict after numerous attempts, also known as a hung jury, then it will result in a mistrial.
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