Sean “Diddy” Combs Acquitted of Major Charges in Controversial New York Trial
On July 2, 2025, it was announced that rapper and music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs has been acquitted of the major charges he faced during a contentious trial before a jury in New York.
The primary charges dismissed included accusations of leading a criminal organization and sex trafficking, which could have resulted in a life sentence. However, the jury found Combs guilty on two counts related to “transportation for the purpose of prostitution.” These charges involved two victims: singer Cassie Ventura and another woman who testified under the alias “Jane Roe.”
Trial Details
The 55-year-old Combs is a prominent figure in the music industry and the founder of Bad Boy Records, a label that helped launch the careers of artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher.
Combs faced five serious charges, including one count of operating a criminal enterprise under the RICO Act, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.
The allegations claimed that Combs used his influence and wealth to coerce romantic partners into participating in prolonged sexual sessions, referred to as “Freak Offs,” often involving other individuals under the influence of drugs. He reportedly sometimes recorded these events.
After seven weeks of trial in Manhattan federal court and three days of deliberation, the jury reached a partial verdict on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The jury, consisting of eight men and four women, delivered a final decision on Wednesday.
While acquitted of most charges, the conviction on the two counts could result in a sentence of up to ten years in prison, with some sources indicating a potential sentence of up to 20 years.
Reaction
Combs expressed gratitude to the jury, having been seen thanking them multiple times. This reflects his relief at avoiding a life sentence. He appeared to be in relatively high spirits on Wednesday, exchanging greetings with family and his attorney, and raised his hand in a positive gesture towards his supporters. However, the conviction on the prostitution-related charges may have significant repercussions for his career, impacting his success as a music producer and entrepreneur. Some analysts suggest that this ruling may mark the end of a significant era in Combs’ professional life, despite avoiding the more severe charges.
Key Testimonies in the Trial
Cassie Ventura’s testimony, detailing an 11-year relationship with Combs, was a pivotal aspect of the trial. She described experiencing physical violence and coercion to participate in drug-fueled sexual sessions. Ventura indicated that Combs would record these incidents for potential blackmail purposes, presenting visual evidence including photographs of bruises and video footage from a hotel surveillance camera in Los Angeles in 2016, where Combs was seen physically assaulting her.
Additionally, another woman, known as “Jane Roe,” testified about coercion and violence inflicted by Combs during their relationship from 2021 to 2024. Other testimonies included that of Daniel Phillips, a male stripper who claimed he participated in sexual sessions overseen by Combs and reported hearing screams and sounds of violence during one of these encounters.
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