By Internewscast
This article contains references to domestic violence and sexual assault.
The jury at Sean 鈥楧iddy鈥 Combs鈥 sex trafficking trial has reached a verdict on four of the five counts the music mogul faces, the judge overseeing the case said, without revealing the outcome.
After two days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict on four charges: two counts of sex trafficking and two of transportation to engage in prostitution, United States district judge Arun Subramanian announced.
But the judge said the jury had not been able to reach a verdict on a fifth charge, racketeering conspiracy, because jurors had 鈥渦npersuadable opinions on both sides鈥.
Combs, 55, had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. If convicted of sex trafficking or racketeering, the former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture could face life in prison.
Before the judge read the jury鈥檚 note, Combs rubbed his eyes and rested his face against his palm while seated at the defence table with his lawyers huddled around him. One defence lawyer, Brian Steel, rubbed Combs鈥 shoulder. Two of Combs鈥 other defence lawyers put their arms around each other.
Sean 鈥楧iddy鈥 Combs second from left, watches from the defence table as the judge speaks to the jury in Manhattan federal court. Source: AP / Elizabeth Williams
Prosecutors say Combs was charged with racketeering because for two decades he used his business empire to force two of his romantic partners to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as 鈥渇reak offs鈥 with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed.
His lawyers acknowledged the Bad Boy Records founder, once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, was at times violent in his domestic relationships. But they said the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual.
Jury asks to review Cassie鈥檚 testimony
Earlier on Tuesday, the jury asked to review portions of the testimony of the rhythm and blues singer Casandra 鈥淐assie鈥 Ventura, who testified that Combs forced her to take part in 鈥渇reak offs鈥 throughout their decade-long relationship.
The 12-member jury asked to review Ventura鈥檚 testimony regarding a 2016 incident at an InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles, when a surveillance camera captured footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hallway.
Prosecutors say that conduct amounted to sex trafficking because Combs used force and threats to cut off financial support or release sex tapes of Ventura to coerce her to take part in the performances, and because the escorts were paid.
Combs鈥 defence pointed to tender and sexually explicit text messages that Ventura sent Combs throughout their relationship to bolster their argument that she took part in the 鈥渇reak offs鈥 because she loved Combs and wanted to make him happy.
They say the violent 2016 altercation stemmed from a dispute about Combs鈥 relationship with another woman.
Prosecutors charged Combs with racketeering conspiracy because they say his employees facilitated his abuse by setting up hotel rooms for 鈥渇reak offs鈥 and procuring illegal drugs for the sex parties. The defence argued Combs kept his personal and professional lives separate and that the drugs were for his personal use.
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