NEW YORK — A jury returns to deliberate for a second day Tuesday on the intercourse trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
On Monday, jurors deliberated over 5 hours with out reaching a verdict after receiving directions on the legislation from the trial choose, Arun Subramanian.
They’re deciding whether or not prosecutors have confirmed racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking expenses throughout a trial that started in early Could.
Prosecutors say Combs for twenty years used his fame, fortune and a roster of staff and associates to assist him coerce and power two totally different girlfriends to repeatedly carry out sexually with male intercourse employees for days at a time whereas he watched and generally filmed the drug-fueled occasions.
Protection legal professionals say prosecutors are unjustly basing federal crimes on what Combs did within the bed room together with his girlfriends as they participated within the swinger life-style and on acts of home violence involving their consumer.
Combs, 55, may face 15 years in jail to life behind bars if he’s convicted of all expenses.
After pleading not responsible, Combs selected to not testify as his legal professionals constructed their arguments for acquittal principally by way of prolonged cross examinations of dozens of witnesses known as by prosecutors, together with a few of Combs’ former staff who took the witness stand reluctantly solely after being granted immunity.
When jurors first left the room to start deliberating on Monday, Combs sat for some time slumped in his chair on the protection desk earlier than standing and turning towards three rows of spectators packed together with his household and associates.
These supporters held palms and lowered their heads in prayer, as did Combs, who was a number of toes from them within the nicely of the courtroom. After they completed, they collectively applauded, and so did Combs, nonetheless clapping as he turned again towards the entrance of the room.
Combs additionally confirmed off two books he’s studying: “The Energy of Optimistic Considering” by Norman Vincent Peale and “The Happiness Benefit” by Shawn Achor.
Barely an hour into deliberations, the jury foreperson despatched a notice to the choose, complaining that there was one juror “who we’re involved can’t comply with your Honor’s directions. Could I please converse along with your Honor or could you please interview him?”
The choose determined as a substitute to ship jurors a notice reminding them of their duties to deliberate and obligation to comply with his directions on the legislation.
By day’s finish, the jury appeared again on observe, requesting clarification about what qualifies as drug distribution, a facet of the racketeering conspiracy cost that may assist decide whether or not Combs might be convicted or exonerated on the rely.
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