Sean ‘Diddy’ Acquitted Of Sex Trafficking Charges But Still To Remain Behind Bars

<p>American musician Sean &ldquo;Diddy&rdquo; Combs will stay behind bars for now, despite being cleared of the most serious charges against him, after a federal judge in New York denied him bail on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Combs, who once dominated the hip-hop scene and luxury party circuit, was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges that carried the possibility of a life sentence. However, a jury found him guilty of lesser offences tied to transporting individuals for prostitution.</p>
<p>Rejecting a bid for Combs&rsquo; release, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the government had shown compelling evidence that the 54-year-old entrepreneur had engaged in violent behaviour and remained a danger if released ahead of sentencing, reported Reuters.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger,&rdquo; Subramanian declared during the hearing in Manhattan federal court, held just hours after the verdict came in.</p>
<p>The high-profile, seven-week trial peeled back layers of the artist&rsquo;s private life, focusing on claims that Combs coerced two of his former partners into drug-fuelled, days-long sexual encounters &mdash; referred to in court as &ldquo;Freak Offs&rdquo; &mdash; with male sex workers in hotel rooms. According to testimony, Combs allegedly watched, masturbated, and at times filmed the encounters.</p>
<p>Two women &mdash; rhythm and blues singer Casandra &ldquo;Cassie&rdquo; Ventura, and another woman identified only as &ldquo;Jane&rdquo; &mdash; testified that Combs physically assaulted them and threatened to cut off financial support or release sexually explicit images if they refused to participate.</p>
<p>As the judge delivered his decision on bail, Combs stared ahead in silence, while a family member sitting behind him lowered their head, visibly distressed.</p>
<p>The atmosphere in court marked a stark contrast to the moment of partial victory earlier in the day. Moments after the jury delivered its verdict, Combs turned to his supporters with a hopeful message.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m gonna be home soon,&rdquo; he told the courtroom, sparking applause and cheers from family and friends. &ldquo;Thank you, I love you.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The jury, made up of 12 members, unanimously acquitted Combs on charges of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking involving Ventura and Jane. A conviction on those charges could have meant spending the rest of his life behind bars.</p>
<p>Throughout the proceedings, Combs maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all five counts.</p>
<p>Speaking to reporters after court, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo hailed the verdict as a significant triumph. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great victory for Sean Combs, it&rsquo;s a great victory for the jury system,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>Once celebrated for his lavish parties in exclusive destinations like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, Combs now faces sentencing on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, leaving his future hanging in the balance.</p>