In a significant development in the federal lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs, the twelve-member jury, entrusted with the weighty task of evaluating charges ranging from racketeering to sex trafficking against the Bad Boy Records mogul, has reached a decision on four out of five counts following two days of intensive deliberations. However, as reported by NBC News, which had reporters present in the courtroom, on July 1, the jury informed U.S. District Judge Aran Subramanian that they were unable to arrive at a verdict on the racketeering charge due to the presence of "irreconcilable views."
To convict Combs of racketeering, Judge Subramanian had instructed the jury on June 30 that they must establish the existence of a spoken or unspoken pact involving at least two individuals to engage in criminal activity. Moreover, they were mandated to believe that Combs was a willing participant in this criminal enterprise and knowingly committed two predicate offenses—such as kidnapping, arson, bribery, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, sex trafficking, witness tampering, forced labor, or transportation for prostitution—as part of a broader conspiracy.
Following this update, both the prosecution and defense attorneys expressed their desire to Subramanian for the jury to continue their deliberations. U.S. attorney Maurene Comey proposed that the court issue a directive to the jury that was slightly less formal than an Allen charge, which is a judicial instruction aimed at encouraging jurors to reconsider their stances and forestall a mistrial. According to NBC News, the judge seemed to concur with this suggestion.
After consulting with both parties, the judge brought the jury back into the courtroom and exhorted them to resume their deliberations. "Do not hesitate to change your opinion when convinced," he told them, as reported by NBC News. "Weigh your opinions impartially and adhere to my legal instructions. Your verdict must be unanimous. Each of you must render your own decision based on the consideration of evidence and discussions with your fellow jurors."
After their brief exchange with Subramanian, the jurors adjourned for the day. Court proceedings will resume tomorrow, July 2, at 9 a.m. ET.
