News : Jury to keep deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial after deadlock over most serious charge

Jurors in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial will continue to deliberate today (July 2) after they reached a partial verdict but were unable to agree on the most serious charge.

At a federal court in New York yesterday (July 1) via BBC News, 12 jurors said they had agreed on four of the five counts, which have not been made public but they were unable to decide on the racketeering charge, which carries a possible life prison term.

Diddy is currently facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The jury announced they had reached a verdict on four of the five counts, after two days of deliberations.

The panel said they could not come to an agreement on the racketeering charge because jurors on both sides had opinions that were unmovable.

Judge Arun Subramanian heard arguments from both the prosecution and the rapper’s defence attorneys on how to proceed, before urging the jurors to keep trying to come to a unanimous decision.

The prosecution urged the judge to use an Allen charge, which is a set of instructions given to a hung jury to press its members to reach a unanimous decision.

If convicted on that charge, Combs faces up to life in prison while he also faces another statutory minimum sentence of 15 years if he is found guilty of sex trafficking.

Transportation for purposes of prostitution also carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

As well as returning to court today, the jurors could potentially continue deliberating tomorrow (July 3) and when the court is normally closed ahead of the July 4 public holiday.

Over the past month and a half, over 24 witnesses have testified against Combs, including ex-girlfriends, law enforcement agents and former employees.

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.