On July 2, a jury found rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs not guilty of the most serious charges he faced. They decided the government did not prove he was involved in racketeering or sex trafficking. However, they did find him guilty of two counts of transporting people for prostitution.
An alternate juror told Fox News Digital where Diddy’s defense team was able to weaken the prosecution’s case. The juror said he was especially struck by how Diddy’s lawyer, Nicole Westmoreland, cross-examined witnesses like Dawn Richard and Bryana “Bana” Bongolan.
Dawn Richard, a former Danity Kane singer, testified that she saw Diddy physically abuse Cassie Ventura and heard him make a threat that people “go missing,” which she took to mean they end up dead. But Westmoreland pointed out that Richard didn’t mention this supposed threat until just a week before the trial, despite talking to prosecutors many times before.
Bongolan claimed Diddy once dangled her off a 17-story balcony. Under cross-examination, however, she admitted she couldn’t remember important details.
The alternate juror, who watched the seven-week trial but didn’t vote on the final decision, said he would have reached the same verdict as the actual jury on the racketeering charge. He praised both legal teams, calling the trial “like a movie,” and noted how engaged Diddy was—constantly writing notes and helping his lawyers.
He also said he never felt intimidated by Diddy’s fame and was only focused on the evidence. Now, Diddy is waiting to be sentenced on October 3. He faces up to 20 years in prison, 10 years for each count.
The juror said he hopes Diddy gets the help he needs. He remembered how the defense painted Diddy as someone with serious problems, like drug and sex addictions. “I hope he uses this time to reflect and get help,” he said.
Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, told reporters that Diddy knows he has flaws and plans to continue a domestic violence program he started before his arrest. According to Agnifilo, Diddy understands that no amount of fame or money can hide his problems.
