Sean "Diddy" Combs was convicted Wednesday on two federal charges of transporting individuals for prostitution, but acquitted on high-profile charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, prompting a divided public response and fierce debate over the direction of the #MeToo movement. The verdict followed more than six weeks of graphic testimony and over two days of jury deliberations in Manhattan federal court.
A juror, speaking anonymously to ABC News, rejected the suggestion that celebrity status influenced the jury's decision. "We spent over two days deliberating. Our decision was based solely on the evidence presented and how the law is stated," the juror said. "We would have treated any defendant in the same manner regardless of who they are."
The jury heard from 34 witnesses, including Combs' former partners Cassie Ventura and an unnamed woman referred to in court as "Jane." Combs, who was denied bail following the verdict, faces up to 20 years in prison - 10 for each guilty count - with sentencing tentatively scheduled for October.
Reactions were swift. Outside the courthouse, supporters cheered and sprayed baby oil, echoing some of the lurid details raised during the trial. But elsewhere, sexual assault survivors and advocates expressed outrage. "It is heartbreaking," said Kaja Sokola, a Weinstein accuser, adding, Now it's "suddenly started to shift to 'Don't believe all women.'"
Attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents Ventura, praised his client: "She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit." The R&B singer testified that Combs forced her into drug-induced sexual encounters and "freak offs" with escorts while pregnant.
Prosecutors had argued that Combs led a criminal enterprise for over two decades, leveraging his fame and money to abuse women. The defense, which did not call any witnesses, described the government's case as "badly exaggerated."
"It's a great victory for Sean Combs," said defense attorney Marc Agnifilo. "It's a great victory for the jury system."
Not everyone agreed. "Nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution," said former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, who warned the outcome could discourage future survivors from coming forward. "They had to relive their trauma in a very public and embarrassing way," Rahmani said. "You better believe other victims will hesitate."
Nicole Bedera, a sociologist who studies sexual violence, noted that public attitudes are shifting. "Instead of people trying to convince us not to believe survivors, they tell us the survivors deserved it," she said.
UltraViolet, a national women-led justice group, criticized the trial's outcome in a statement: "Our criminal justice system failed yet again today," said Arisha Hatch, interim executive director. "Women are routinely not believed in the courtroom."
Combs is currently held in custody ahead of his sentencing. He also faces multiple civil lawsuits, and although he was acquitted on the most serious criminal charges, graphic courtroom testimony has already damaged his reputation.
"It serves as a painful reminder of how often our voices go unheard in a system that should protect us," said actress Caitlin Dulany, who accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. Singer Kesha, herself a public survivor of alleged abuse, posted on X, "Cassie, I believe you. I love you. Your strength is a beacon for every survivor."
