As the jury begins deliberations in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, the music mogul is spending his downtime turning to books on positivity and mindset.
On Monday (June 30), Judge Arun Subramanian kicked off the day by charging the jury—reading aloud for nearly two hours from a 62-page document detailing the charges against Combs and the laws surrounding them.
The racketeering conspiracy charge against Diddy includes several serious alleged acts:
- a. acts involving kidnapping, chargeable under certain provisions of California and New York law;
- b. acts involving arson, chargeable under certain provisions of California law;
- c. acts involving bribery, chargeable under certain provisions of California law;
- d. acts involving tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant, chargeable under federal law;
- e. acts involving forced labor, chargeable under federal law;
- f. acts involving sex trafficking, chargeable under federal law;
- g. acts involving transportation and inducement to travel for purposes of prostitution and other illegal sexual activities, chargeable under federal law; and
- h. offenses involving the possession with intent to distribute, or distribution of narcotics and controlled substances, chargeable under federal law.
In addition to racketeering conspiracy, Combs faces two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution.
Once the jury instructions were read, the alternate jurors were dismissed (but remain on standby), and the twelve remaining jurors began deliberations.
Meanwhile, Diddy took a moment to pray with his family before turning to a pair of books: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor—both of which he displayed to the gallery during a break.
Jurors sent two notes to the judge over the course of the day. The first, from the jury foreperson, raised concerns about Juror 25’s ability to follow instructions. After a brief discussion, Judge Subramanian responded by reiterating the jury’s duty to apply the law and asked for any additional questions.
Later, the jury sent another note asking whether someone who gives a requested controlled substance to another person is guilty of distribution. Lead prosecutor Maureen Comey said the answer is yes. The defense did not immediately provide an alternative, and Judge Subramanian plans to issue a final response Tuesday morning.
The jury will resume deliberations on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
