Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ denied bail, next hearing scheduled for October 3

Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who was facing sex trafficking charges, has now been acquitted of those charges but convicted on prostitution-related offenses, according to the Associated Press.

The mixed verdict reportedly came on the third day of jury deliberations and could still send Combs, 55, to prison for up to a decade.

He was reportedly denied bail due to concerns over his past violence and illegal conduct, the next hearing is scheduled for October 3.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faced charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and other crimes related to his parties, where he allegedly drugged and coerced victims, including minors, into sexual activities.

The sex trafficking trial of the disgraced rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs had kicked off with the jury swearing in, and the defense and prosecution offered opening statements.

The government’s opening statement from prosecutor Emily A Johnson painted Combs as a powerful businessman who used his fame and power to rape, assault and abuse various people for decades, and whose inner circle of bodyguards and other employees helped him commit and cover up crimes, reported ‘Variety’.

The prosecution focused on alleged victims Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura and ‘Jane’.

These incidents, which Combs called ‘freak-offs’, took place in dimly-lit hotel rooms set up with supplies by Combs’ employees. 

Combs allegedly used the video footage to ‘blackmail’ Ventura, an R&B artist in her own right who was signed to his record label.

The prosecution had also mentioned that Combs’ alleged abuse of Ventura was ‘the tip of the iceberg’ of his illegal behavior, which also allegedly includes arson and the kidnapping of his own employee. 

(With inputs from syndicated feed)