Seven weeks after Sean 'Diddy' Combs' criminal trial began in New York, a verdict has been reached by the jury.

Combs was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking, a partial win for the former music mogul.

After the judge dismissed the jury and lawyers for both sides, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery.

"I'm gonna be home soon," he said, smiling and clasping his hands. "I love you. Thank you, I love you."

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

The verdict in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs faced five federal charges: two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; two counts of transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution; and one count of racketeering conspiracy.

These allegations span across two decades of his career in the entertainment industry.

The 55-year-old pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining his innocence as the case unfolded.

Following the verdict, Combs faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. The acquittals on the sex trafficking counts mean he will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.

He could have faced life in prison if he were convicted on sex trafficking or racketeering conspiracy.

US District Judge Arun Subramanian will determine Combs' sentence at a later date.

Earlier this week, the jury reached a verdict on four out of the five charges against him, but remained deadlocked on one charge: racketeering conspiracy.

After the jury read its verdict, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo asked Subramanian to release Combs on bail, which prosecutors opposed.

Subramanian asked lawyers for both sides to submit written arguments on whether he should release Combs by 1pm.

With more than 60 civil lawsuits also pending against him, here's everything we know about the criminal case that shocked the music world.

The biggest revelations in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs criminal trial.

The allegations around Diddy's relationship with Cassie Ventura.

Central to the case were allegations made by Cassie Ventura, Combs' former girlfriend and music protégé.

During the first week of the trial, Ventura provided a harrowing account of alleged abuse spanning their 11-year relationship.

The jury then heard from Ventura's former best friend, Kerry Morgan. She described how she watched Ventura, who she'd been best friends with since they were in high school, shrink into herself as her relationship with Combs deepened.

Ventura "lost her spark," Morgan said.

In one confronting instance, Ventura showed up days before her first big movie premiere with a black eye and busted lip. Moments later, Combs rocked up at the apartment and banged on the door with a hammer, demanding to be let in, Morgan claimed.

While she was terrified, Ventura appeared "numb", adding that it didn't look like she would care if Combs "came in and killed her", per Rolling Stone.

READ MORE: The most disturbing allegations from Cassie Ventura's testimony against Diddy.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Cassie at the Met Gala in 2018. Image: Getty.

On another occasion, Morgan told the jury she witnessed Combs attack Ventura while on vacation in Jamaica in 2013 after she had been in the bathroom too long.

She recalled hearing a "guttural, terrifying" scream and ran over to see the rapper dragging Ventura by her hair down a hallway. He allegedly pushed her to the ground, causing her to slam her head on brick pavement.

Morgan said she encouraged her friend to leave the music mogul, but Venture replied that she couldn't because he "controlled everything" in her life.

Their friendship ended in 2018 after Combs allegedly unleashed his fury on Morgan at Ventura's apartment.

Morgan testified Combs let himself into the home with a key that Ventura allegedly didn't know he had. Then, Combs allegedly came up behind Morgan and choked her so hard he left fingerprints on her neck. All the while, he demanded she give him a name, claiming Ventura was cheating, Morgan said.

Morgan then said Combs "boomeranged a wooden hanger at my head," leaving her with a concussion and vomiting, per Rolling Stone.

Morgan said she considered suing Combs for the incident, but when she met up with Ventura about a month later, Ventura offered her $30,000 to "close" the matter. Attached to the money was a non-disclosure agreement.

Morgan took the cash and signed. It marked the end of her relationship with her best friend, Morgan said.

Ventura spoke of a larger pattern of escalating violence, including being allegedly hit, kicked, dragged, and stomped on by Combs.

The trial featured multiple harrowing allegations from the prosecution surrounding Combs' treatment of Ventura.

Cassie and Sean Combs together in 2017. Image: Getty.

Attorney Emily Johnson described Combs as a "domineering figure" who manipulated Ventura — who was just 19 when they met, while he was 37 — into a violent and coercive relationship.

In one horrifying account, Johnson told the jury that Combs "violently beat" Ventura, citing a 2009 incident where he allegedly "threw her to the ground in an SUV and stomped repeatedly on her face."

Additional claims included that Diddy personally counted out a $100,000 bribe to suppress damaging video evidence, and that Cassie's mother was extorted for $20,000 when Diddy threatened to release intimate videos.

Other witnesses, including Danity Kane's Dawn Richard, described violent outbursts and threats. She detailed a 2009 incident at Combs' Los Angeles home where he allegedly swung a frying pan at Cassie's head, then punched and kicked her while she was on the kitchen floor.

The next day, Combs allegedly summoned Richard and others, gave them flowers, and warned them their careers would suffer if they reported what they'd witnessed. Richard said she advised Cassie to leave the relationship, but Combs cautioned her to stay out of it, implying serious consequences if she interfered in his relationship.

Daniel Phillip, a male escort, testified that he was paid to have sex with Ventura while Combs watched and masturbated. He described Ventura as often appearing drugged, distressed and at times physically injured after these encounters.

Phillip also described Combs' ongoing abuse of Ventura, claiming to have seen the music mogul drag her by her hair into the bedroom.

"I could hear what seemed like him slapping her," he said. "She was screaming, 'I'm sorry! I'm sorry!'"

In a particularly distressing account, Ventura alleged that Combs raped her in her living room in 2018 after they had separated. She described resisting and crying during the assault, stating that Combs "wasn't himself" and did not stop.

Sean Combs and Cassie at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. Image: Getty.

She detailed how Combs exerted control over various aspects of her life, including her appearance, career, and personal relationships.

Ventura told the jury the rapper isolated her from friends and family, creating an environment where she felt she had no autonomy.

During these emotional testimonies, Cassie was heavily pregnant. She gave birth to her third child on May 28 in New York City, less than two weeks after she testified in the Combs federal trial.

The surveillance footage of Combs assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway was played multiple times to jurors, with reports that at least one juror appeared visibly uncomfortable watching the footage.

The jurors were also played videos of Combs' 'freak-off' parties, which were entered as evidence.

The 'freak-off party' details.

Ventura was allegedly forced into degrading sexual acts during so-called "freak offs," which were filmed and reportedly used to blackmail her.

Johnson described the tapes as "souvenirs of the most humiliating nights of [Ventura's] life," alleging Combs had told Ventura that he "had the power to ruin her life".

"He threatened her, stating that if she defied him again, he would release videos of her engaging in sexual acts with male escorts," said prosecutor Johnson.

In one especially disturbing incident, prosecutors allege Combs forced a male escort to urinate in Ventura's mouth during a "freak-off," leaving her feeling as if she were suffocating.

Ventura testified that the "freak-off" sessions could last up to 48 hours and left her physically and emotionally drained.

Ventura testified that Diddy demanded baby oil be applied "every five minutes" so that participants' bodies would "be glistening."

She described one incident where a hotel pool was filled with baby oil at Diddy's instruction. After these parties, rooms were allegedly left in a state described as "a mess" with oil and candle wax everywhere.

In text messages shown to the court, Diddy's former employee texted that she made sure that there were Plan-B pills, an emergency contraceptive, in his nightstand.

Diddy and Cassie's support systems during the trial.

Combs was supported by his family throughout the trial. Kanye West, now known as Ye, visited the Manhattan federal courthouse on Friday, June 13. Ye made an appearance dressed in an all-white outfit, arriving with Christian Combs, Diddy's youngest son.

The trial referenced numerous celebrities, including Kid Cudi (who testified Diddy broke into his home and set his car on fire), Beyoncé, Rihanna, Britney Spears and Michael B. Jordan. However, with the exception of Cudi, none of these celebrities were present for the trial.

Ventura's biggest advocate, her husband Alex Fine, was also there. Fine released a powerful statement, praising his wife's bravery on the stand.

"Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself from her past," the statement, which was read by lawyer Douglas Wigdor, said.

"I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her.

Cassie Ventura's husband, Alex Fine, departing after the opening statements. Image: Getty.

Fine continued, calling out those who helped Combs "along the way".

"Please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit, nor her smile, that lights up every room. You did not break the soul of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man," the statement said.

"Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her."

The allegations made by Diddy's former assistant.

Mia, a former personal assistant to Combs, testified under a pseudonym as a key prosecution witness in his trial. She described her eight-year tenure with the music mogul, which involved physical and sexual abuse.

Mia alleged that Combs sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, including forcing her to have sex against her will and waking up to find Combs on top of her.

Mia also detailed physical violence: Combs allegedly threw her into a pool, dumped a bucket of ice on her head, slammed her arm in a door, and hurled objects at her. She claimed she once worked five days straight without sleep and was not allowed to leave his home without permission.

Mia admitted she never told anyone about the abuse at the time, as she described feeling "desperate, terrified, and trapped."

The allegations made by an ex-girlfriend.

Jane, a former girlfriend of Combs, testified under a pseudonym for six days — longer than any other witness — offering an emotional account of her three-year relationship with Combs.

She described a life dominated by so-called "hotel nights" or "freak-offs," where she was allegedly coerced into drug-fuelled, days-long sex sessions with male escorts, often at Combs' direction.

Jane said these encounters, which could last up to three days and involved up to three men in addition to Combs, made up 90 per cent of her time with him.

Jane admitted in the trial that Combs was still paying her rent and had paid for her lawyer.

What Diddy's defence said about the allegations.

Diddy's defence admitted to violence but argued it was mutual, claiming that both parties were aggressive.

Diddy's attorneys admitted to "bad behaviour" but argued that the charges were exaggerated and that the encounters were consensual, challenging the credibility of witnesses who did not report incidents at the time.

Combs chose not to testify in his own defence during his criminal trial, a decision he confirmed directly to the judge, stating, "That is my decision, your Honour."

What were the charges against Sean 'Diddy' Combs?

Sean 'Diddy' Combs faced five federal charges: two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; two counts of transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution; and one count of racketeering conspiracy.

Prosecutors alleged he led a criminal enterprise from 2004 to 2024 that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.

The charges claimed Combs used violence, threats, drugs and coercion to exploit victims, orchestrating elaborate sex acts and transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2019. Image: Getty.

How long was Diddy's trial expected to last?

The Combs trial was expected to last at least eight weeks, with prosecutors stating they needed three weeks to present their case and the defence estimating one additional week for their arguments.

In the end, the trial of Combs lasted approximately six and a half weeks from the start of opening arguments to the beginning of jury deliberations.

What was Diddy's plea deal?

Combs formally rejected a plea deal offered by federal prosecutors ahead of his trial. The deal would have required Combs to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence, sparing him the risk of a potential life sentence if convicted at trial.

In court, Combs confirmed his decision, responding, "Yes I do, your honor." His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, criticised the prosecution, calling it "an unjust prosecution" and emphasised that Combs maintains his innocence.

Watch Diddy's apology video for the Cassie incident. Post continues after video.

Has Diddy responded publicly to the allegations?

Combs consistently denied all allegations against him.

Through his legal team, Combs has pleaded not guilty to every federal charge, maintaining that the accusations are false and defamatory.

His lawyers have stated that the relationships in question were consensual, describing the claims as coming from "former long-term girlfriends".

In response to a number of civil lawsuits back in October 2024, Combs called the allegations "sickening" and claimed his accusers were seeking a "quick payday".

How long will Diddy potentially go to prison for?

Following the verdict, Combs faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. The acquittals on the sex trafficking counts mean he will avoid a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.

He could have faced life in prison if he were convicted on sex trafficking or racketeering conspiracy.

We will keep updating this story as we wait for sentencing.

This article was originally published on May 9, 2025 and has since been updated with new information.

Feature image: Getty.