In a New York courtroom, twelve jurors convened around 10:00 AM (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday to deliver their verdict in the case of Sean “Diddy” Combs, charged with orchestrating a criminal enterprise involving employees and sex trafficking his former partners.
The prominent hip-hop figure reportedly lowered himself to his knees, head in his hands on the defense table after spending two months on trial facing accusations of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Leading up to the verdict, Combs was observed sitting quietly, dressed in a familiar off-white sweater and pants he had worn frequently throughout the proceedings.
A hush fell over the court as the jury foreperson presented the verdict sheet to the court deputy, who then returned it to the foreperson.
The pronouncement began.
As the words “not guilty” echoed through the courtroom, acquitting Combs of the most severe racketeering charge, the rapper reportedly kept his head bowed.
By the time the foreperson announced Combs’ acquittal on the sex trafficking charge, he was said to have had his head buried in his hands.
The jury did find him guilty on lesser charges related to transporting individuals for prostitution. As the jurors affirmed their decision, Combs reportedly concealed his face.
Reports indicated a brief celebration erupted among Combs’ supporters, who has been held in a Brooklyn federal jail since September. He purportedly made a prayer gesture toward the jury, then repeated the gesture toward his family – including his twin daughters, sons, and 85-year-old mother.
He appeared to mouth the words: “I’m coming home.”
The moment was equally charged for Combs’ legal team, with Teny Geragos, seated beside him, reportedly wiping away tears following the verdict reading.
Combs’ attorneys promptly informed the judge that the verdict, reached after approximately two days of deliberation, should allow for Combs’ immediate release from the Manhattan courthouse.
Attorney Marc Agnifilo argued that the acquittal on the most serious charges eliminated the need for detention, noting that his client’s chartered plane was currently unavailable in Maui.
“Mr Combs has been given his life by this jury,” he stated. “He will not run afoul of anything this court imposes on him.”
In an apparent display of gratitude, Combs reportedly pressed his head against the defense table.
He rose and clapped loudly, embracing several of his lawyers. Family members and supporters in the courtroom and overflow room reportedly joined in, cheering.
After a final hug to his lawyer and a wave to his family, obscured by a crowd, he was escorted from the court.
However, the hip-hop mogul’s hopes for immediate release were later dashed as Judge Arun Subramanian denied him bail at a subsequent hearing on Wednesday afternoon.
Outside the Manhattan court, a large crowd behind barriers repeatedly chanted “Free Diddy.”
He will remain incarcerated until his sentencing later this year.
Get all the latest trial updates on the BBC Sounds ‘Diddy on Trial’ podcast available wherever you get your BBC podcasts.