Sean 'Diddy' Combs returns to court a week before he faces sentencing

After deliberating for less than an hour Wednesday morning, the jury in the Shandy Combs case indicated that they had reached *** unanimous verdict not guilty on the most serious charges of racketeering conspiracy, but guilty of transportation. To engage in prostitution. This ruling from the jury in this case prompted big reactions from Holmes and his family who were overjoyed at this news and big reactions outside of the courthouse where Holmes has some supporters. The jury in the federal trial of hip hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs has come to *** verdict guilty on the charge of transportation to engage in prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The jury made up of 8 men and 4 women, heard from 34 witnesses called by the prosecution, including two of Combs's former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura, and *** woman testifying under the. Alias Jane. Both women testified Combs forced them to engage in sexual encounters referred to as freak offs and hotel nights. Ventura spoke on the stand about violence she endured throughout the course of her 11-year relationship with Combs. Jurors watched this hotel surveillance video from 2016 showing Combs dragging and kicking Ventura several times throughout the course of the trial. Ventura's attorney read *** statement from her after she testified, I hope that my testimony has given strength. And *** voice to other survivors and can help others who have suffered to speak up. Combs's defense team never denied allegations of domestic abuse but instead argued the two women participated willingly in the sexual encounters. Jurors heard from Combs's former personal assistants, *** male sex worker, and other former employees. The defense rested its case after less than 30 minutes, only reading text messages into the record. Combs did not testify. Transportation to engage in prostitution carries *** possible maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. At this point we don't know if Holmes is going to be released from custody today while he awaits that sentencing. That's something the judge will rule on later this afternoon in lower Manhattan. I'm Lee Waldman reporting.

Updated: 11:50 AM CDT Sep 25, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Sean 'Diddy' Combs returns to court a week before he faces sentencing

Updated: 11:50 AM CDT Sep 25, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

A smiling Sean "Diddy" Combs waved to his supporters as he returned to court Thursday for a hearing that could help a judge decide how long the Grammy-winning producer will stay in prison.Judge Arun Subramanian then began listening to arguments from lawyers on points of law that could help him decide a sentence for the Bad Boy Records founder, who was convicted of prostitution-related charges in July.Combs, 55, will have been jailed for nearly 13 months when he is sentenced Oct. 3.His lawyers argued in court papers submitted this week that he should be sentenced to no more than 14 months in prison. With credit for good behavior, that would mean he would be released immediately.Prosecutors have said they believe he should spend at least several more years behind bars, although they won't submit their sentencing recommendations to the judge until next week.The judge has signaled that he, too, is leaning toward a substantial amount of prison time, twice refusing to grant bail since the jury returned its verdict, citing Combs' history of violence.Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have led to a life sentence, but convicted of arranging interstate travel for people engaged in prostitution. Prosecutors said he arranged for paid sexual encounters between male sex workers and his girlfriends, some of whom testified about being beaten, kicked and choked by Combs.

A smiling Sean "Diddy" Combs waved to his supporters as he returned to court Thursday for a hearing that could help a judge decide how long the Grammy-winning producer will stay in prison.

Judge Arun Subramanian then began listening to arguments from lawyers on points of law that could help him decide a sentence for the Bad Boy Records founder, who was convicted of prostitution-related charges in July.

Combs, 55, will have been jailed for nearly 13 months when he is sentenced Oct. 3.

His lawyers argued in court papers submitted this week that he should be sentenced to no more than 14 months in prison. With credit for good behavior, that would mean he would be released immediately.

Prosecutors have said they believe he should spend at least several more years behind bars, although they won't submit their sentencing recommendations to the judge until next week.

The judge has signaled that he, too, is leaning toward a substantial amount of prison time, twice refusing to grant bail since the jury returned its verdict, citing Combs' history of violence.

Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have led to a life sentence, but convicted of arranging interstate travel for people engaged in prostitution. Prosecutors said he arranged for paid sexual encounters between male sex workers and his girlfriends, some of whom testified about being beaten, kicked and choked by Combs.

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