A New York jury deliberating the high-profile federal case against hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has reached a partial verdict but remains deadlocked on the most serious charge—racketeering, which carries a potential life sentence.
The jury of 12, after two days of deliberation, announced Tuesday afternoon that they had reached a decision on four of the five charges.
However, they were unable to come to a unanimous agreement on the racketeering count, with jurors reportedly holding firm, opposing views.
Combs, 55, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, sat quietly in court as the news was delivered—head bowed, hands folded, while his legal team offered quiet reassurance.
Deliberations are set to resume Wednesday morning and could extend into July 3, despite the court’s usual closure ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
The charges against Combs include racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution.
Over the course of the two-month trial, jurors heard testimony from 34 witnesses, including former partners, employees, male escorts, and federal agents.
Legal experts say the jury’s struggle with the racketeering charge is unsurprising.
Prosecutors must prove that Combs led or participated in a criminal enterprise that committed at least two offenses over several years—a standard typically seen in organized crime cases.
“That was always going to be the toughest count to convict on,” said Robert Mintz, a criminal defense attorney and former federal prosecutor.
“It’s a complex charge, and jurors may find it difficult to apply in a case centered on the entertainment industry.”
In response to the jury’s deadlock, prosecutors asked Judge Arun Subramanian to issue an Allen charge—an instruction designed to encourage jurors to reach consensus.
While such measures can sometimes break an impasse, they are controversial and may be seen as coercive.
The jury’s decisions on the four other counts remain sealed, pending a verdict on the final charge.
Combs, also known by various monikers including Puffy, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Love, and Brother Love, has been a dominant force in the music and fashion industries for decades.
He founded the Sean John clothing label, starred in several reality TV shows, and released his fifth studio album The Love Album: Off The Grid in 2023, earning a Grammy nomination and being named Global Icon at the MTV Awards.
