On July 2nd (Monday), the court session regarding Diddy continued to present significant rulings. According to the reporter, Diddy entered the courtroom appearing slightly more relaxed than the previous day. This time, he spent a moment praying with his family. Outside the courthouse, a crowd of YouTubers, bloggers, reporters, and the public gathered on the first day.
The jury delivered several important verdicts: “Count 1, Sexual Assault: NOT GUILTY”, “Count 2, Selling drugs involving Casandra Ventura: NOT GUILTY”, “Count 3, Participation in activities related to sexual assault involving Casandra Ventura: GUILTY”, “Count 4, Selling drugs involving ‘Jane’: NOT GUILTY”, “Count 5, Participation in activities related to sexual assault involving ‘Jane’: GUILTY”. Thus, Diddy was found guilty on 2 of the most serious charges: selling drugs and sexual assault, only being acquitted on lesser charges.
Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s lead attorney, continued to request the court to grant him bail today, as currently he is not facing any serious charges, with the most pressing allegations being drug sales and sexual assault. Marc Agnifilo stated that Diddy should not be a flight risk since he does not have a passport or a plane. “This is the first time Diddy has been found guilty and only on the lesser charges, hence he should be granted bail,” the attorney requested the court for Diddy to remain at his home in Miami Beach, Florida.
The bail amount set was $1 million (26.1 billion VND). However, the prosecution firmly opposed Diddy’s release. Chief prosecutor Maurene Comey argued that the prosecution considered the severity of the case and urged the judge to continue holding Diddy. The prosecutor stated, “The reality is that he poses a risk of fleeing the court’s order,” referencing the drugs found in Diddy’s hotel room prior to his arrest last September.
The judge indicated he needed time to review the legal terms before deciding whether Diddy could be released from this court today or not. Diddy has been incarcerated since September 2024.
The prosecution pointed out that Diddy faces a maximum sentence of over 20 years; each charge under the Mann Act could carry up to 10 years each. However, the judge will decide how long Diddy must serve. With a slight chuckle, the judge indicated that Diddy would not want to return home to Brooklyn. Diddy was seen bowing his head and clasping his hands in prayer.
Diddy’s lead attorney emphasized: “Diddy has been given a significant opportunity to tell his story. He will not violate any conditions set by the court. He will not violate any order given by the court.” The session will adjourn in a few moments, while the judge reviews the legal arguments presented by the attorneys regarding whether Diddy should be granted bail.
Diddy’s demeanor was entirely different from the previous day, as he appeared somber and downcast following the jury’s announcement that he was found guilty on 4 out of 5 counts. Now, with the verdict announced for the most serious charges, Diddy seemed to be carrying a heavy burden.
As the court heard the verdict, Diddy turned to his family and clasped his hands in prayer. He expressed his gratitude, saying “thank you, thank you” to the jury, while also nervously shaking hands with one of his attorneys as he turned to look at his family. When exiting the courthouse, Diddy clasped his hands in gratitude, then covered his face, appearing to shed a tear.
The significant victory for the prosecution here is that the jury determined that two of Diddy’s former girlfriends (Casandra Ventura and ‘Jane’) were not forced into “the pleasurable experiences” and “the hotel dinners”, but that their relationship was extended over several years. Through the questioning of key witnesses, Diddy’s attorney only shared the statements in court that these women showed enthusiasm in their interactions with Diddy.
However, the women serving as witnesses have stated that they told Diddy the things he wanted to hear, and they felt trapped in lengthy relationships with numerous men. In summary: The jury did not view Diddy’s relationship with his ex-girlfriends as selling sexual services.
Outside the courthouse, Douglas Wigdor, attorney for Casandra Ventura, stated he was “disappointed” when Mr. Combs “had to take responsibility for something he did”. Mr. Wigdor remarked: “In the end, he indeed has to bear responsibility for 2 federal counts, something he has not had to face in life.”
The organization advocating for women’s rights, UltraViolet, immediately released a statement urging the court to reconsider its verdict regarding Diddy: “This is a turning point in our justice system, a time to highlight the sacrifices of those who have survived abuse in order to share their truths in this court, as well as for all those who have been abused by Diddy.”
Arisha Hatch, the interim executive director of the organization, stated: “Today’s decision not only addresses the legal issues within a system that has failed to hold abusers accountable but also highlights the systemic culture that enables the continued existence of sexual violence against women and the lack of accountability for Diddy’s actions.”
Source: NY Times
