The disgraced hip-hop mogul fell to his knees and buried his head in a chair at the defence table where he had just spent two months on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering. Twelve New York jurors gathered at 10:00 on Wednesday in the wood-paneled room to tell Sean "Diddy" Combs that they found him not guilty of running a criminal enterprise with his loyal employees and sex trafficking his ex-girlfriends. They did find him guilty on the least severe charges of transporting people to engage in prostitution. As they confirmed their decision, Combs buried his face in his hands. A flurry of small celebrations followed for Combs, who has been in a federal jail in Brooklyn since September. He made a prayer sign with his hands to the jury, then turned around and made the same gesture to his family - twin daughters, sons and 85-year-old mother. He appeared to mouth: "I'm coming home." The moment seemed equally emotional for Combs' many lawyers, including Teny Geragos, seated next to him and wiping away tears with a tissue after the verdict was read. Combs' attorneys wasted no time in telling the judge that the verdict, reached after roughly two days of deliberations, meant Combs should be able to walk out of the Manhattan courthouse a free man that very day. His acquittal on the most serious charges meant he no longer needed to be jailed, his attorney Marc Agnifilo told the court, adding that his client's plane was inaccessible - chartered and in Maui. "Mr Combs has been given his life by this jury," he said. "He will not run afoul of anything this court imposes on him." Then, in the perhaps the most emotional gesture of the day for Combs, he appeared to express his gratitude by pressing his head into his chair at the defence table. He rose from his seat, clapping his hands loudly, to hug several of his lawyers. Many family members and supporters in the main courtroom and a packed overflow room joined him, cheering. Then, with one final hug to his lawyer and a wave to his family - blocked by a mass of people and court benches - he was escorted out of the courtroom. He remains in custody pending a bail hearing. Get all the latest trial updates on theBBC Sounds 'Diddy on Trial'podcast available wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Dramatic moment Sean 'Diddy' Combs fell to his knees after learning his fate
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Sean 'Diddy' Combs Found Not Guilty of Major Charges in Sex Trafficking Trial"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Sean 'Diddy' Combs emotionally reacted in court after a jury delivered a verdict in his high-profile trial concerning serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. On Wednesday morning, the jury announced their decision, finding Combs not guilty of operating a criminal enterprise or trafficking his former girlfriends. However, they did convict him on lesser charges related to transporting individuals for prostitution. Upon hearing the verdict, Combs buried his face in his hands and later expressed his gratitude by making a prayer gesture towards the jury and then his family, including his twin daughters and elderly mother. The atmosphere in the courtroom shifted to one of celebration as Combs' supporters and legal team rejoiced. His attorney highlighted that the jury's decision allowed Combs to leave the courthouse a free man that day, as he was no longer required to remain in jail due to the acquittal on the more serious charges.
The emotional toll of the trial was evident as Combs showed visible signs of relief and gratitude. After the verdict was read, he embraced his lawyers, with some visibly moved to tears. The trial had lasted two months, and the jury deliberated for about two days before reaching their decision. Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, emphasized that the verdict was a testament to the jury's belief in his client's innocence regarding the most severe accusations. While the excitement in the courtroom was palpable, Combs still faced a bail hearing before he could fully regain his freedom. As he exited the courtroom, he shared heartfelt moments with his family and legal team, marking a significant turning point in his tumultuous legal battle. The case has garnered significant media attention, and updates continue to unfold regarding Combs' future and the implications of the jury's decision.
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