Judge denies bail for Sean (Diddy) Combs after mixed verdict at trial

< warm>WARNING: This story contains allegations of sexual force and may move those who feature experient it or know someone affected by it.

Sean (Diddy) Combs dropped to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after he was acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop's celebrated figures behind bars for life. The rapper and producer was convicted of lesser prostitution-related offences and still faces prison time. He sought to be freed from jail to await sentencing, but a judge denied that request.

The mixed result capped a sordid legal odyssey that shattered his affable "Puff Daddy" image and derailed his career as a Grammy-winning artist and music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.

As the jury foreman spoke and the "not guilty" verdicts piled up, Combs pumped his fist. Each juror affirmed agreement with the verdict as Combs looked toward them, holding his hands up in a prayer motion. Then he hugged defence lawyer Teny Geragos. His relatives and supporters in the audience could barely contain their relief, despite the judge's admonition to avoid outbursts: When the first "not guilty" was read aloud, someone shouted, "Yeah!"

Combs, 55, later continued to pump his right fist subtly and nodded, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.

Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.

The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but Combs's lawyers said that under federal sentencing guidelines he'd likely face about two years in prison. Prosecutors, citing his violence and other factors, said the guidelines would call for at least four to five years. Jailed since his September arrest, he's already served nine months behind bars.

The Combs defence team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.

Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, asked that his client be immediately released because the federal Mann Act crimes were of a "vastly different nature" than sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said he should remain incarcerated as a danger to the community and a threat to flee. She cited evidence of physical abuse and "prolific use and distribution of drugs" that emerged during the trial.

"I do believe we'll be seeking a substantial period of incarceration," Comey said.

Both sides filed written submissions expanding on their arguments. But U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian declined to grant bail to Combs later Wednesday afternoon.

The judge said the applicable law didn't allow for his release at this point.

Among other reasons, the judge noted the celebrity's violent history: "At trial, the defence conceded the defendent's violence in his personal relationships, saying it happened with Cassie and Jane."

As the judge spoke, Combs remained stoic with his hands at his lap.

Earlier Wednesday, Combs appeared overwhelmed as court adjourned for a few hours. He wiped his face, turning and kneeling at his chair, his head bowed in prayer.

"I'll be home soon," he said.

"I love you, Mom," he added.

His relatives applauded him and his lawyers, some of whom had tears in their eyes, as he was led out of court.

There's no date yet for sentencing, when the judge will decide on Combs' punishment for the prostitution conviction.

Jurors deliberated for about 13 hours over three days before announcing their verdict. It came after they said late Tuesday that they had decided on four counts, but were stuck on the racketeering one. At that point, the judge told them to keep deliberating and keep the partial verdict under wraps.

Combs did not testify at his trial, which featured 34 witnesses as well as videos of the rapper attacking his former girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie.

Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement after the verdict that "by coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice."

Later, he asked the judge in a letter to deny Combs bail, saying, "Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community."

Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, testified for four days about her turbulent 11-year relationship with Combs, which began after she signed with his Bad Boy record label.

Cassie said Combs became obsessed with voyeuristic encounters, arranged with the help of his staff, that involved sex workers and copious amounts of baby oil. During the sex events, called "freak-offs" or "hotel nights," Combs would order Cassie to do things with other men that she found humiliating, she testified.

When things didn't go Combs's way, he would beat her, she said.

"I'm not a rag doll. I'm somebody's child," Cassie told Combs after he dragged her down a hotel hallway in 2016.

Another ex-girlfriend, testifying under the pseudonym "Jane," told the jury she repeatedly told Combs she didn't want to have sex with the men hired for their trysts.

"I'm not an animal. I need a break," she told him. Nevertheless, she said she felt "obligated" to comply with his demands, in part because he paid her rent.

The trial's most famous witness, rapper Kid Cudi, said Combs broke into his home in late 2011 after learning he and Cassie were dating. After his car was firebombed a few weeks later, Cudi — whose real name is Scott Mescudi — said he knew Combs "had something to do" with it. Combs denied it.

Combs's defence team acknowledged he could be violent, but argued prosecutors were intruding in Combs's personal life. In his closing remarks to the jury, Agnifilo said it wasn't illegal for Combs to make "homemade porn" with his girlfriends.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. You can access crisis lines and local support services through this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.

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