The Diddy trial itself was harrowing, full of disturbing accusations — but this last part has been a real mess.
The jury has been deliberating nearly two full days already. But right from the start there were issues. A note was sent to the judge just a few minutes in saying one juror wasn’t able to follow instructions. Apparently that problem has NOT gone away. The jury sent another note on Tuesday, at 4:05 p.m. local time, telling the judge:
“We have reached a verdict on counts 2, 3, 4 and 5. We are unable to reach a verdict on count 1 as we have jurors with unpersuadable opinions on both sides.”
OK, they reached a verdict! Well… almost. They have to come to a decision on ALL counts. And the court would prefer not to have this thing half done, with a hung jury on one count.
Related: Kanye Shows Up To Trial After Testimony About Unnamed Rapper Having ‘Freak Offs’
To recap, btw, here are the counts:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion (of Cassie Ventura)
- Transportation to engage in prostitution (of Cassie Ventura and sex workers)
- Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion (of “Jane”)
- Transportation to engage in prostitution (of “Jane” and sex workers)
Counts 2-5 are the sex trafficking and prostitution charges. 2 and 3 are what Cassie testified about, 4 and 5 are what Diddy’s more recent ex Jane alleged. If the jury didn’t have an issue on those, and it sounds like they don’t… that sounds like good news for the prosecution.
So what’s the issue? That Count 1. Racketeering conspiracy.
Had Juror No. 25 already made up his mind about this one? The note says “unpersuadable opinions on both sides.” It sounds like a hot-button issue in there. Frankly, we’re kind of surprised to hear that about the racketeering of all things. We mean, you’d think sex trafficking would be more controversial. It’s certainly the trickiest charge, with various allegations associated with it, including arson, kidnapping, and bribery. It’s racketeering if these crimes were committed in furtherance of a bigger criminal undertaking. Diddy would also have to have the intent to commit racketeering. It’s complicated. Maybe some of the jury just aren’t convinced the prosecution made their case with that one?
The judge wants the jury to keep trying. But if they don’t end up convicting on the racketeering charge but do on the sex trafficking… it would still mean Diddy might spend the rest of his days behind bars. The sex trafficking charges come with minimum sentences of 15 years each. The prostitution is a lesser charge, with 10 years maximum for each. But if Diddy is found guilty on counts 2-5, we’re talking 30 to life, right?
You can see why the jury might want to just give up on trying to argue racketeering if folks have made up their minds.
We do think this is good news for the prosecution because it implies to us they had an easier time on those sex trafficking counts. But what do YOU think, Perezcious paralegals??
[Image via WENN.]
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