Diddy’s Verdict Is Here — Now What?

It’s official; the verdict on Sean “Diddy” Combs is finally in. In a shocking upset that’s divided the culture, the hip-hop kingpin has been found guilty—just not as guilty as he could’ve been. After months of explosive allegations, online speculation, and evidence review, the New York courts acquitted Combs on three out of five charges.

According to a report by The Independent, Combs’s charges were as follows:

• Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy (RICO)
• Count 2: Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion (against R&B/pop rock singer and ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura)
• Count 3: Transportation for purposes of prostitution (related to Ventura)
• Count 4: Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion (against an anonymous ex-girlfriend dubbed “Jane”)
• Count 5: Transportation for purposes of prostitution (related to “Jane”)

Prosecutors initially accused Combs of heading a criminal empire, “the ruthless ringleader…in a sprawling racketeering and sex trafficking scheme,” who, “must be convicted on all five criminal counts,” per an NBC report. He pleaded not guilty to each accusation and maintained his innocence. Ultimately, the jury found him guilty of both counts of transportation for purposes of prostitution, but not guilty of the three racketeering or sex trafficking criminal conspiracies.

Per The Independent report, transportation for prostitution carries a maximum of ten years in prison. However, racketeering and sex trafficking carry a minimum of fifteen years with a maximum of life in prison. Combs’s acquittal of these charges means he dodged the most severe of his possible sentences.

Following the verdict, Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, stated, “She [Ventura]…brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,” per an ABC report. 

An Attack On Victims

This decision created deep rifts across social media. For many, it was a heartbreaking reminder of a harsh reality: the social constructs we’ve put in place protect the powerful at the expense of victims. While Diddy now carries a guilty verdict for transporting for prostitution, his acquittal on the truly severe charges sends a message to other victims out there: that their justice and safety will never be guaranteed. If someone as high-profile and public as Diddy can avoid consequences, what hope is there for victims with no platform or fame? 

This war against victims is the heart of public outrage. Among Combs’s most disturbing accusations were the now-infamous “freak offs.” Diddy’s alleged criminal sex ring involved high-octane sex marathons involving drugs, numerous escorts and sex workers, and physical and emotional abuse. These events would last for days, with Combs recording much of them. This birthed a now equally notorious meme involving baby oil, which Combs allegedly purchased large batches of as part of these sessions.  

Ventura and Combs’s anonymous ex-girlfriend, “Jane,” testified against him. They claimed that they were coerced into these events, often being blackmailed or intimidated. In the NBC report, defense lawyers claimed that Ventura and Jane, “willingly participated in freak offs,” and, “expressed romantic affection for Combs.” They cited the fact that participants were sometimes paid for their freak-off involvement. Many see the failure to convict Combs on all five charges as an attack on victims.

To many, this victim-blaming was not only a mindset, but a social pattern. Within our national culture, many tend to scrutinize the victim’s motives rather than confront the abuse at hand.

The Fight Against Witch Hunts

For others, the news couldn’t be more optimistic. Diddy’s supporters fought back against the accusations for a myriad of reasons. Despite his two guilty verdicts, some saw the acquittals as a, “win,” especially for the Black community. The federal government has a historically extensive record of unfairly prosecuting and incarcerating Black communities. For a Black musical figure as iconic and impactful as Combs to “beat” his case and avoid maximum prison time was justice at work. To many, a life sentence for Diddy meant a blow to Black excellence.

Many also view the charges as a form of, “fake news,” or blown out of proportion to make Combs seem worse than he was. Some claim that five charges and subsequent life sentences were excessive, which framed the case as inherently unjust. While evidence suggested an abusive relationship between Combs and Ventura and Jane, the existence of a complex criminal empire was questionable. It painted an illustration of Diddy as a scapegoat for the federal government, someone whom they could pin it on publicly.

Lastly, it comes down to pure fan loyalty. Combs built a lasting career around iconic musical collaborations, record-breaking productions, and professional connections to other Black artists. Many view him as a cultural tether that uplifted communities. To abandon a Black icon would be to denounce Black artistry itself.

To many, Combs himself was the victim of a cultural witch hunt.

What Comes Next?

Ultimately, the acquittal makes it difficult to predict his sentence. In another ABC News report, New York criminal defense lawyer Michael Bachner doubts he’ll, “see more than five years,” especially since federal guidelines suggest a two or three-year sentence for the charges. Combs was also recently denied bail following the verdict. This means that he stays in custody until his sentencing on October 3. 

In the meantime, Combs’s legal nightmare is far from over. In a report by CBS News, attorney Marc Agnifilo predicts that he’ll enter a, “domestic batterers that he had just started before his arrest,” claiming that Combs has a real desire for change. The ABC News report also notes that Combs still has to fight a multitude of civil lawsuits. Most notably, the former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard has formally accused him of sexual abuse as well as copyright infringement. Richard’s attorney, Lisa Bloom, maintains her devotion to justice despite the acquittals, saying, “We will continue to aggressively fight our case until we obtain full and complete justice for Dawn.”

Discourse over Diddy’s deeds also continues to intensify. While online disgust for his actions is still very much the norm, support for the rapper-producer hasn’t faltered either. In the CBS News report, Combs’s return to prison was greeted with a standing ovation from fellow inmates following his acquittal. In a display outside the courthouse, a group of his supporters poured baby oil on one another following the acquittal, mocking the silliness of the alleged freak offs.

In the fallout of the verdict, what remains clear is Combs’s newfound place in the culture. His conviction has left him an icon in ruin, and a testament to the deeply fractured power dynamics that can permeate within our justice system.