The one question everyone has about the Diddy verdict.

Content warning: This story details an alleged sexual assault and domestic violence.

After seven gruelling weeks of testimony, a jury has returned their verdict in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

On Wednesday local time, a Manhattan jury cleared the music mogul of the most serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

He was found guilty of two counts of transporting women for prostitution.

For some, the fact that Combs was held to account at all is a sign of progress.

But for many, one question has sprung to mind over the split verdict: Why?

Watch: Cassie's lawyer's statement following Combs trial verdict. Post continues below.

The jury sat through weeks of testimony about Combs' drug-fuelled "freak offs". They heard allegations of violence, manipulation, and blackmail. They watched that hotel surveillance footage — Combs dragging Cassie Ventura down a hallway, kicking her, throwing objects at her prone body.

Ultimately, they weren't convinced beyond reasonable doubt.

Principal solicitor from Newham Legal, Sophie Newham, explained how the jurors likely got to the split verdict; it comes down to how prosecutors chose to charge Combs.

"It does demonstrate the issue in a lot of criminal cases — it's ultimately up to the prosecutors as to what charges they proceed with," she told Mamamia's news podcast The Quicky.

"In this case, they were proceeding with the prostitution, the sex-trafficking types of crimes as opposed to physical assaults or sexual assaults. So, I think that's why a lot of people are outraged by seeing these acts and not quite understanding how he was found not guilty."

The prostitution-related charges regarded Cassie and an ex-girlfriend who gave evidence under the pseudonym, Jane.

Listen to The Quicky discuss the Diddy verdict. Post continues below.

Guilty means "the jury was satisfied that he was transporting Cassie and Jane into the state with the intent that they engage in prostitution," Newham explained.

Sex trafficking required additional elements: "threats of force, fraud, coercion and causing them to engage in commercial sex acts."

Racketeering conspiracy, the most serious charge, required proving he ran a criminal enterprise that engaged in various illegal activities, including sex trafficking, bribery and violence, which meant potentially decades behind bars.

"There are specific elements or acts that need to be proved in order for the jury to have found him guilty," Newham said.

Combs was acquitted of the more serious charges. Image: Getty.

Combs faces a maximum 10 years for each of the prostitution charges. But it doesn't necessarily mean that's what he'll get.

Prosecutors want five-and-a-quarter years and his lawyers want just two.

There are multiple factors that will influence his sentence come October.

"Whatever sentence he gets will be served concurrently. So that means at the same time as opposed to consecutively," Newham said.

"There's also that factor that he's been in jail since September as well… So all of that time that he's been in custody will be counted towards the sentence he ultimately gets."

'She paved the way.'

Following the verdict, Cassie's lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor issued a powerful statement, saying Cassie "paved the way" for the two guilty prostitution-related verdicts.

"This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023," he said in a statement, per ABC News.

Wigdor praised Cassie's "unquestionable strength" during the trial, saying she "brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion."

"This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors."

Cassie's lawyer says she 'paved the way' for the two guilty verdicts. Image: Getty.

Cassie is reportedly "in a good place" and is pleased Combs is at least facing "substantial jail time".

"She was pleased that he's been found guilty and held responsible to federal crimes, something that he's never been held responsible [for] in his entire life," Wigdor said outside court, per ABC News.

Justice looks different to everyone.

"We can't forget that he has been found guilty of two very, very serious offences against women," Newham said. "I think that gives some confidence that the Me Too movement is still alive."

Feature image: Getty.