“I’m coming home, baby!” -Those were the words shouted by the disgraced music mogul, to his family, after the verdict was read. The trial lasted two months.
The 55-year-old was was found guilty of two lesser charges related to transporting people for prostitution—one involving his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and another involving a woman who testified under the name “Jane.” Combs was also found not guilty of two serious sex trafficking charges involving Ventura and “Jane.”
When the verdict was read in court, Combs appeared emotional. His legs were shaking. He gave a small fist pump when he heard he was cleared of the racketeering charge. People in the courtroom reacted with surprise. He stayed calm while the rest of the verdicts were read. When he heard the first guilty verdict, he rubbed his forehead. Cheers broke out when he was found not guilty of sex trafficking in Ventura’s case.
According to media reports, Combs’ family had little reaction as the verdicts were read. His son Justin put his head in his lap, while others sat quietly. Dana Tran, the mother of Combs’ youngest child, cried. As each juror confirmed the verdict, Combs nodded and mouthed, “Thank you.”
When the judge finished, Combs turned to his family again and said, “I’m coming home, baby! I’m coming home!” As the jury left, Combs pressed his hands together in thanks. Afterward, he kneeled and appeared to pray.
His legal team hugged each other, and his family clapped. Someone called the defense team a “dream team.
As he left the courtroom, Combs told his family, “I love you. I’m gonna be home soon.”
Outside, his mother told ABC News that her heart was racing as the verdict came down. His son Christian said, “We love everybody watching. We’re so happy—my Pops is coming home. God bless
Judge Arun Subramanian said he would decide later Wednesday whether Combs will be released. He said it could take time, since lawyers still need to submit their arguments. Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, asked for $1 million bail and said his client should be released, noting the charges he was found guilty of are less serious than the original ones.
When the judge joked that Combs probably didn’t want to go back to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Combs smiled, shook his head, and put his hands together in prayer. The courtroom laughed.
Combs has already spent about nine months in jail waiting for trial.
Each of the two charges he was convicted of can lead to up to 10 years in prison.
Prosecutor Maurene Comey said the government will seek a “significant” prison sentence for Combs.
