SEAN “Diddy” Combs’ future still hangs in the balance as the court continues to argue whether he should walk free after dodging his most serious federal charges.
After seven weeks of emotional testimony, a jury found the rapper guilty of two lesser charges but acquitted him of the three counts that each could have landed him a life sentence.
The 55-year-old pumped his fist and fell to his knees in prayer as the jury announced his fate in the New York City courtroom on Wednesday morning.
They found the rapper not guilty of racketeering conspiracy or sex trafficking his ex-girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and Jane Doe.
Each of those charges came with a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The two counts that Combs was found guilty of, which were both transportation for purposes of prostitution, each have a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
However, they have no minimum punishment, and Diddy’s lawyers argue that, because of this, he should be able to walk free on a $1 million bond.
Diddy and his family appeared elated at the news, and the rapper said “I’ll be home soon” to his mom as he walked out of the courthouse.
However, legal experts have warned that he shouldn’t celebrate too soon, as they speculate that the rapper will likely have to spend some time behind bars.
“He’s looking at 15 plus years under the sentencing guideline on each count, and he gets a multiplier for multiple victims,” former federal prosecutor David Weinstein told NewsNation.
“The judge can run them consecutive, and he might, with an additional multiplying factor, find himself bumping up against 10 on each count.
“So, for people to say or think that he’s going to get credit time served and walk out of here, I think that’s a pipe dream for the defense.”
Diddy guilty verdict is ‘in the bag’ despite ‘weak’ prosecution’s ‘failure to call most crucial witness,’ lawyer says
CASE CONTINUES
The defense has claimed that the mega producer wouldn’t be a flight risk at his home in Miami, Florida, because his private jet is currently in Maui, Hawaii.
“Mr. Combs has been given his life by this jury,” Diddy’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo said, adding that his client would be “nothing short of a fool” to breach his terms of any bail conditions.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have stressed the significance of the 20-year sentence and accused the defense of trying to minimize the sex charges with their request.
“A person found guilty shall be detained until the judicial officer finds he is not likely to flee or be a danger,” Lead US Attorney Maurene Comey said in court.
The judge asked each side to prepare their arguments and return to the court at 1 pm.
After the decision was made, prosecutors released a statement about the severity of sex crimes, but didn’t outright mention Diddy.
“Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,” US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations Ricky Patel wrote, according to the New York Post.
“Victims endure gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse, leading to lasting trauma.
“New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice.”
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