Diddy Trial Stalls as Jury Deadlocks on Racketeering Charge Amid High-Stakes Defense

The federal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs hit a snag as jurors announced they were deadlocked on the racketeering charge, one of the most severe accusations against the music mogul, after reaching verdicts on four of five counts. After two months of testimony and nearly 14 hours of deliberation, the jury informed Judge Arun Subramanian they couldn’t agree unanimously on the racketeering count, which carries a potential 20-year sentence.

The prosecution brought over 30 witnesses to paint a picture of a criminal enterprise allegedly led by Combs, using texts, bank records, and audio to argue he operated with unchecked power for decades. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik emphasized, "Diddy didn’t take no for an answer—until now." Meanwhile, the defense took a bold gamble, resting their case without calling a single witness, a move likened to "high stakes poker" by legal analyst Trey Gowdy. He noted that failing to provide jurors a clear reason for reasonable doubt often leads to convictions, as most jurors struggle to grasp the prosecution’s burden of proof without a robust defense.

The racketeering charge, rooted in the complex RICO statute, proved tricky for the jury. Legal expert John W. Day suggested jurors might struggle to distinguish Combs’ lavish lifestyle from an organized criminal enterprise. "It’s like asking them to decide if a flashy party is a crime scene or just a Tuesday night for Diddy," Day quipped. The judge urged the jury to keep deliberating, stressing they must reach a unanimous verdict without abandoning their convictions. With no partial verdict accepted yet, the possibility of a hung jury looms, potentially leading to a retrial on the disputed count.

Combs, who chose not to testify, faces additional charges like sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution, with penalties ranging from 10 to 20 years. As deliberations continue, the courtroom remains a battleground of legal strategy and high stakes.