The judges of Hot Bench are weighing in on the verdict in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial after he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
“I think this is probably the best verdict he could have hoped for,” Judge Rachel Juarez said via an Instagram video on Wednesday, July 2, shortly after the verdict was announced. “I think this is the ideal situation for him because transportation for the purposes of prostitution was almost a given.”
Juarez and costar Judge Yodit Tewolde pointed out that the transportation charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison each. The prosecution asked that both sentences be carried out consecutively, but this will ultimately be up to the judge presiding over the case.
“This is probably the best outcome he could have gotten because he will be able — I think he’s young enough to still see more life after a prison term,” Tewolde said. “So, I don’t think he’s looking at the rest of his life after this verdict.”
Cassie's Lawyer and Prosecution Ask Judge to Deny Diddy's Bail Request
After the verdict was reached, Diddy’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo asked the court to release the rapper on bail to his Miami home until his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. Meanwhile, the prosecution asked that Diddy, 55, remain behind bars. A bail hearing is set for 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
While some who are following the case have pointed out that Diddy’s defense may make an argument for time served, meaning that his time spent in custody already would count toward his sentence, Juarez and Tewolde said they don’t believe this will happen or will make a difference.
“I think he’s been in for a year and a half. We’re talking about a charge that carries a maximum of 10 years, that it’s not going to be time served,” Tewolde said.
Rachel Juarez and Yodit Tewolde Courtesy of Yodit Tewolde/Instagram“And then they’re going to look at aggravating factors, mitigating factors, and I think there are going to be a host of aggravating sentencing factors,” Juarez added. “So I think we’re not looking at the low end, we’re looking at the high end [of sentencing].”
Diddy was arrested in New York in September 2024. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintained his innocence throughout the trial, which largely focused on the alleged “freak offs” orchestrated by the rapper. His ex-girlfriend Cassie, who filed an abuse and sexual assault lawsuit against Diddy in November 2023, served as a key witness in the trial, as did an unnamed Jane Doe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson argued that Cassie “tried the first freak off because she loved the defendant and wanted to make him happy,” while Jane Doe participated because she believed the freak off was a “one-time wild night.”
Diddy’s attorney Teny Geragos stated in response, “Every witness in this case had free choice to make the choices they made.”
Cassie’s lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor reacted to Wednesday’s verdict in a statement to Us Weekly.
Diddy’s Family Seen Smiling as They Leave NYC Court Following Verdict
“This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution,” Wigdor said.
The statement continued, “By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat — with no reservation — that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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