A jury continues to contemplate the fate of Diddy during the second day of deliberations on Tuesday (July 1) in his federal racketeering and sex trafficking case.
Cassie Ventura and a sex worker.
The 12-person panel sent five notes to the judge, including one asking for clarification on whether handing someone drugs at their request constitutes distribution.
That question came after jurors reviewed testimony involving alleged drug use and exchanges tied to Diddy’s inner circle.
Jurors also requested transcripts from Ventura and Daniel Phillip, a sex worker who testified about being hired for so-called “freak offs” — group sex encounters allegedly arranged by Diddy and Ventura.
One note specifically asked for Ventura’s account of a 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, her time with Diddy at the Cannes Film Festival, and her descriptions of the “freak offs” involving Phillip.
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Phillip’s testimony about a separate “freak off” at the Essex Hotel was also flagged for review, signaling the jury’s interest in verifying details of the alleged sex trafficking scheme.
Diddy, who has pleaded not guilty, faces five federal charges: racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.
If convicted, the Hip-Hop mogul could face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
On Monday, the jury deliberated for about five hours. Early in the session, they raised concerns about one juror’s ability to follow legal instructions. The judge responded by reminding the panel of their duty to adhere to the law as instructed.
Later that day, the jury submitted another note seeking legal guidance on the definition of drug distribution, asking whether someone who gives a controlled substance to another person upon request is legally considered a distributor.
The jury’s pointed questions suggest they are dissecting key elements of the prosecution’s case, particularly the alleged use of drugs to facilitate sex trafficking and the credibility of witness accounts.
Deliberations are expected to continue this week, with no timeline yet for a verdict.