June 30 Case Continued

By T.L. Reigns

The Scoop Digital Newspaper: July 2025

Final Jury Instructions

1. Presumption of innocence

Combs is presumed innocent. The government carries the burden to prove each count beyond a reasonable doubt. He need not present evidence nor testify.  

2. Burden of proof

The prosecution must prove every element of each charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jurors were explicitly warned against guessing, bias, publicity, emotions, celebrity, or media narratives influencing their verdict.  

3. Credibility and evidence

Jurors should assess the credibility of each witness individually and base conclusions on the presented evidence. “Actions may speak louder than words,” Subramanian reminded them, noting they should rely on observed testimony and corroborating facts.  

4. Charge-by-charge consideration

Each count—racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and two counts of transportation for prostitution—must be evaluated separately. Guilt on one does not imply guilt on others.  

5. Legal definitions and predicate acts

For the racketeering conspiracy count, jurors were given a list of predicate acts (e.g., kidnapping, prostitution, arson, trafficking, drug distribution). 

At least two predicate acts had to be proven unanimously. Certain theories, attempted kidnapping, arson, aiding sex trafficking—were dropped by prosecutors before instructions.  

6. Allen charge / encouragement to deliberate

Following a note that some jurors were deadlocked and concerned one was not following instructions. The judge encouraged them to continue deliberating without abandoning firmly held beliefs merely for the sake of unanimity, or to delay verdicts unnecessarily. “You must reach a unanimous verdict,” he emphasized.  

7. No external communications or media

Jurors were prohibited from discussing the case with anyone outside the jury room or consuming any media about it during deliberations.  

8. Unanimity and finality

Any verdict required a unanimous decision on each count. The judge made clear they could not convict or acquit unless all jurors agreed.

Judge Subramanian also reminded them of their duty to deliberate carefully and cannot coerce agreement or hold out forever.

Verdict July 2

The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial deliberated for three days, totaling approximately 13 hours of discussion before delivering their verdict. They began on June 30, 2025, and by July 2, they had reached decisions on all five charges: acquittals on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, and guilty verdicts on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.

Duration of Deliberations

Day 1 (June 30–July 1): About 12 hours into their discussions, the jury sent a note at 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday indicating they had reached a “partial verdict,” they were deadlocked on the racketeering charge while having agreed on other counts.

Final Day (July 2): After deliberating for three full days and a combined 13 hours, the jury returned verdicts on all counts.

Judge Subramanian’s Instructions & Remarks

When the jurors informed the court, they were at an impasse on racketeering but had decided on other counts, Judge Arun Subramanian responded:

“Juries have a right to deliver a partial verdict, but… given the short amount of time the panel has deliberated, I’d rather give them more time and wait to have a full verdict.”  

Bail Denied

After the final verdict was read, including the guilty findings on the two transportation counts, the judge denied Diddy’s bail request, citing:

The seriousness and history of domestic violence.

His belief that remanding Combs in custody was warranted “through sentencing,” set for October 3, 2025.

A remote hearing has been set for July 8 to determine if the defense and the prosecution would like to move Combs’ sentencing to an earlier date.

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The Scoop Digital Newspaper
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