Sean Combs: The verdict.

Summary

Dateline: True Crime Weekly – Episode Summary: "Sean Combs: The Verdict"

Release Date: July 3, 2025
Host: Blaine Alexander
Guest: Chloe Melas, NBC News Correspondent

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1. Introduction

In the gripping episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly titled "Sean Combs: The Verdict," hosts Blaine Alexander and NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas delve into the high-profile racketeering trial of Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy. The episode provides an in-depth analysis of the trial's culmination, the verdict, and the reactions from all parties involved.

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2. Overview of the Verdict

After an extensive three-day deliberation totaling over 13 hours, the jury delivered a split verdict in the racketeering trial against Sean Combs. Chloe Melas breaks down the decision, detailing the specific charges and outcomes.

Chloe Melas [02:20]: "Not guilty on RICO conspiracy and sex trafficking. Guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. That's the escort element."

This verdict signifies a partial victory for Combs' defense team, which has been lauded as the "dream team," while delivering a significant setback for the prosecution.

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3. Courtroom Reactions

The emotional atmosphere inside the courtroom was palpable as the verdict was read. Chloe describes the immediate reactions of Sean Combs and those present.

Chloe Melas [02:52]: "He held his hands in prayer form and kind of looked over at the jury. You could tell he was overcome with emotion and then at one point, kneeling down on the floor and praying over his chair."

The courtroom was a scene of mixed emotions, with Combs' defense attorney, Tenny Garagos, visibly moved to tears, and Combs' mother and children showing support through gestures like blowing kisses and clapping.

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4. Prosecutors’ Response

Contrasting the defense's emotional display, the prosecution maintained a stoic demeanor despite the disappointment of a split verdict.

Chloe Melas [03:42]: "They've released a statement saying that they are grateful for all of the investigators who took part in this as well as the victims who came forward and they acknowledged how difficult it is to speak out about crimes like sex trafficking and that they fight for justice."

This statement underscores the prosecution's commitment to continuing their pursuit of justice, despite the partial acquittal.

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5. Jury Dynamics

Chloe provides insight into the jury's behavior and the deliberation process, hinting at possible juror biases and their impact on the verdict.

Chloe Melas [04:14]: "You know, he nodded to the jurors and the judge thanked them for all of their time. And I said all along I was looking at these jurors in the courtroom and I would tell Andrea, I would say some of them are sleeping. They're rolling their eyes or shaking their heads."

This observation suggests a lack of engagement or agreement among jurors, potentially influenced by the defense's closing arguments, which reportedly elicited laughter from the jury.

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6. Pre-Verdict Developments

Chloe recounts the events leading up to the verdict, including unexpected jury notes and the tension within Combs' legal team.

Chloe Melas [04:54]: "I noticed the prosecutors, Diddy's Legal team filing back into the courtroom and it was clear that something was going on. Although everyone thought, oh, it's just a jury note saying that the jury wants to go home. I'm like, well it's 4:15. That's 45 minutes early. That's a little strange."

This early notice indicated potential challenges in reaching a unanimous decision, adding suspense to the trial proceedings.

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7. Bail Hearing

Following the verdict, a bail hearing was held to determine Combs' release pending sentencing. Chloe details the courtroom dynamics and the factors influencing the judge's decision.

Chloe Melas [10:27]: "As soon as the verdict came down, his team and his lead defense attorney, Mark Igno, he came out swinging. He was like, set my client free. Essentially, the bail was denied."

The judge cited ongoing concerns and previously introduced evidence of Combs' violent behavior as reasons for denying bail, ensuring that Combs would remain in custody until sentencing.

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8. Defense Team's Reaction

The defense team, though facing the immediate setback of denied bail, expressed satisfaction with the partial victory achieved through the guilty verdicts.

Sean Combs’ Defense Attorney [13:57]: "Today's a great victory. It's a great victory for Sean Combs. It's a great victory for the jury system."

This statement emphasizes the defense's perspective on the verdict, highlighting their strategic success despite the prosecution's efforts.

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9. Future Legal Steps

Chloe discusses the potential for an appeal, considering the legal strategies already in motion.

Chloe Melas [13:21]: "They are literally putting things on the record for a potential appeal. So even if it's a short prison sentence, he could try to get an appeal and you never know."

This indicates that the legal battle may continue beyond the current verdict, with the defense poised to challenge the outcomes further.

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10. Final Thoughts

In her concluding remarks, Chloe reflects on the broader implications of the trial and her experiences covering it.

Chloe Melas [15:11]: "I have learned a lot about sexual abuse. Obviously, my main job is to tell a story and get the facts right. And it's been unbelievable to be really getting a front row seat to history, especially in the music industry and across the entertainment industry. But again, the story is still not over."

Her insights underscore the complex nature of high-profile trials and the ongoing societal conversations surrounding sexual abuse and accountability within influential circles.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Chloe Melas [02:20]: "Not guilty on RICO conspiracy and sex trafficking. Guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. That's the escort element."

• Chloe Melas [02:52]: "He held his hands in prayer form and kind of looked over at the jury."

• Chloe Melas [04:14]: "You know, he nodded to the jurors and the judge thanked them for all of their time."

• Chloe Melas [07:59]: "That part was really surprising to me, Blaine, because we knew that there were, quote, unpersuadable jurors."

• Chloe Melas [15:11]: "I have learned a lot about sexual abuse."

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Conclusion

This episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly offers a comprehensive examination of the Sean Combs racketeering trial, capturing the nuanced emotions, legal strategies, and societal implications stemming from the verdict. Through detailed reporting and firsthand accounts, Blaine Alexander and Chloe Melas provide listeners with a thorough understanding of this landmark case and its ramifications within the true crime landscape.

Transcript

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[Blaine Alexander]

This is ON Trial a special series from Dateline True Crime Weekly bringing you daily coverage of the Sean Combs racketeering trial. Foreign Alexander and it's Wednesday, July 2nd. Just a heads up, in this episode we're going to be talking about some graphic details and harrowing subject matter today. After more than 13 hours of deliberation over three days, the jury emerged with a verdict. NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas has been downtown the duration of this entire trial and she joins us now in front of the federal courthouse to to tell us what the jury decided and how the courtroom reacted. Chloe, hi.

[Chloe Melas]

Hey Blaine.

[Blaine Alexander]

We have a verdict. Wow.

[Chloe Melas]

We do. And it's split.

[Blaine Alexander]

It's split. So just kind of break down this verdict for us. He was facing five counts. How did the jury decide here?

[Chloe Melas]

Not guilty on RICO conspiracy and sex trafficking. Guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. That's the escort element. Hiring these men who would perform at those drug fueled sex parties known as freak offs. This is a huge victory for Combs legal team that's been nicknamed the dream team and a massive blow for the prosecutors.

[Blaine Alexander]

Let's talk about the reaction Inside the courtroom. I'm so curious how Combs was reacting when the verdict was read.

[Chloe Melas]

He held his hands in prayer form and kind of looked over at the jury. You could tell he was overcome with emotion and then at one point, kneeling down on the floor and praying over his chair. There's a really powerful courtroom sketch for anybody that's interested, since there aren't cameras in the courtroom. One of his lawyers, Tenny Garagos, began to cry. We saw her wiping away tears. His mother, who's been in court every single day, blowing kisses and his children clapping. And outside the courthouse, a lot of supporters, people saying free Diddy and people wearing free puffy shirts. I mean, there is a massive amount of people here. Definitely over 150 people. A pretty big police presence.

[Blaine Alexander]

You mentioned that this was a big blow to the prosecution. How were they reacting when the verdict was read?

[Chloe Melas]

Stoic, but obviously they're disappointed. They've released a statement saying that they are grateful for all of the investigators who took part in this as well as the victims who came forward and they acknowledged how difficult it is to speak out about crimes like sex trafficking and that they fight for justice.

[Blaine Alexander]

I'm very curious about the jury. You mentioned that Combs kind of turned and gave prayer hands to them. But how did jurors respond as the decision was read out?

[Chloe Melas]

I mean, they were stone faced, not really looking over at Combs. You know, he nodded to the jurors and the judge thanked them for all of their time. And I said all along I was looking at these jurors in the courtroom and I would tell Andrea, I would say some of them are sleeping. They're rolling their eyes or shaking their heads. During closing arguments last week, Mark Agnifolo eliciting laughter from these jurors.

[Blaine Alexander]

I think that is just so interesting to hear, Chloe, that when you think about the way that the jurors were responding, because there's kind of a backstory to this verdict coming out. We got the verdict this morning, but yesterday there was some activity as well. Just. Just kind of back up and talk a little bit about yesterday evening.

[Chloe Melas]

Yeah, so at 4:15, I was inside the courthouse for the first time that day because I was so hot. And I decided to get some federal air conditioning. So I went into something called the overflow room, which is where you can watch the trial on televisions closed circuit. I was like, I'm not going to go up to the courtroom because there's only about an hour left. And I noticed the prosecutors, Diddy's Legal team filing back into the courtroom and it was clear that something was going on. Although everyone thought, oh, it's just a jury note saying that the jury wants to go home. I'm like, well it's 4:15. That's 45 minutes early. That's a little strange. Combs was sitting there looking stressed and then they handed him the jury note and you saw him rub his eyes, shake his head, look at the ground. And at one point I thought he was going to cry. And that's when I ran. I bolted out of that courthouse. Luckily I wasn't wearing heels. But what I found out when I came outside is that it was raining. So I was running through the rain. And when I got to the tent where our cameras are, all of our producers, they're all following along in this live Google document because we have other reporters in something called the media room where they are taking live notes on their computers, cannot reach a verdict on count one. There you go. Because we have jurors with unperscuable views. Next thing you know, I was putting on my verdict blazer and I was on TV1.

[Blaine Alexander]

I love that you have a verdict blazer. But number two, everyone needs one of those, right? When covering a trial.

[Chloe Melas]

Yes.

[Blaine Alexander]

Behind the scenes, jury goes home. It's about 5:20. The judge says go home, come back at 9amyou got there earlier than 9am you were out there to do a hit for today's show. What was the mood outside while we were waiting for this day of deliberations to begin?

[Chloe Melas]

Pretty quiet. I got here around 6:30 in the morning and if they want a long weekend, they will be coming back on Monday, July 7th.

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[Chloe Melas]

Then I decided to go into the overflow room, lay my eyes on combs for what could potentially be the last time. Because I knew I would not be in there for the verdict, that I would need to go up live for a special report on NBC News. And I'm really glad that I did. I saw him turn around and start praying with his family, his six children that were in the courtroom, all of his children pretty much were wearing black and they were pretty somber. And then I came out just in case something happened. And I was actually headed to get a coffee and I paid for it. And that coffee, it's still there. I need to go back and get my coffee. Okay, Blaine. Cuz I got a call from Candace Quo, one of our producers and she goes run. And I ran like something out of Forrest Gump.

[Blaine Alexander]

Chloe let's talk about how quickly that happened, because 9:00am the jury is beginning their deliberations at 1002. I went back and looked 10:02, my phone started buzzing saying, hey, there's a possible verdict. So we're talking about just over an hour after coming to the judge yesterday and saying, hey, we can't come to a decision here.

[Chloe Melas]

That part was really surprising to me, Blaine, because we knew that there were, quote, unpersuadable jurors. So the fact that, like, a good night's sleep and some coffee might have helped them come to a unanimous decision.

[Blaine Alexander]

Stunningly short amount of time to go from we can't reach a decision to we've got it when we come back. Where is Combs now?

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[Blaine Alexander]

So, Chloe, after the verdict, there was a bail hearing at 5pm today. And the question at hand was, could Combs go home while waiting for sentencing or is he headed back to jail?

[Chloe Melas]

As soon as the verdict came down, his team and his lead defense attorney, Mark Igno, he came out swinging. He was like, set my client free. Essentially, the bail was denied. The judge said that, you know, he was denied bail after he was arrested last September and he sees no reason to change that. That's exactly what he said. He said that. Plus there was some of the evidence that came out at trial that he was violent with Cassie and his other girlfriend, Jane. The judge actually pulled up the transcript from when Combs defense team said, quote, we own the domestic violence. Diddy's defense team looking stone cold after they had been so emotive earlier in the day.

[Blaine Alexander]

Yeah, what an emotional kind of roller coaster for Combs and his team. You and I talked last week about that moment with Combs defense team saying, you know, we own the domestic violence. I hope you guys know that. But essentially that came back to haunt them today.

[Chloe Melas]

It definitely did. The judge said that this evidence that was presented during the trial shows that Combs broke laws while he was under federal investigation. Now, the judge, he didn't mention this part, but Cassie Ventura, she's weighed in on this bail hearing via a letter from her lawyer, Doug Wigdor. And it says, quote, Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community.

[Blaine Alexander]

Have we heard any reaction from her to the verdict?

[Chloe Melas]

We haven't heard directly from her, but Douglas Wigdor spoke to the press this morning. Blamed.

[Douglas Wigdor]

The reaction is that we're pleased that he's finally been held responsible for two federal crimes, something that he's never faced in his life. Of course, we would have liked to have seen a conviction on the sex crimes in rico, but we understand beyond a reasonable doubt is a high standard and we're just pleased that he still faces substantial jail time.

[Chloe Melas]

All right, thank you.

[Blaine Alexander]

And do we know exactly how long of a prison term he's facing here?

[Chloe Melas]

We don't. The mandatory maximum is 10 years. Blaine, his legal team asking for about 24 months. But then you have the prosecutors wanting upwards of 50 months. So I feel like they're gonna have to split the baby here and he's gonna get a couple of years time served, maybe out a Little early for good behavior. So he's gonna be there, back at MDC for a couple of months, it seems, until this sentencing hearing. We know that on July 8th, they're going to have a pre sentencing hearing and both sides are supposed to meet and try to come to some sort of an agreement even before that.

[Blaine Alexander]

Yeah, I mean, it's so interesting to think that earlier in the day, Chloe Combs and his team were possibly thinking that he was going to walk out the front doors of the courthouse today. And now it's clear he's headed back to mdc. I guess my question is, are we, are we expecting to see an appeal from Combs?

[Chloe Melas]

He had an appellate lawyer the whole time on his legal team. Her name is Alexandra Shapiro. And I actually spoke to her colleague today. I mean, they are literally putting things on the record for a potential appeal. So even if it's a short prison sentence, he could try to get an appeal and you never know. All right, I first want to thank my client, Sean Combs, for trusting us, myself and everybody here, this incredible dream team that he put together.

[Blaine Alexander]

We heard from Combs defense team in the form of a press conference today. I want our listeners to take a listen to a little bit of that.

[Sean Combs' Defense Attorney]

Today's a great victory. It's a great victory for Sean Combs. It's a great victory for the jury system. You saw that the Southern District of New York prosecutors came at him with all that they had. They're not stopping. But one thing stands between all of us and a prison, and that is a jury of 12 citizens.

[Blaine Alexander]

Chloe, what about the jurors? I mean, I know that reporters from every single media outlet, certainly you included, I'm sure, are wanting to hear from them, wanting to get in touch with them. The judge said today that they're not prohibited from speaking to the public. They can speak if they want to, but he essentially decided to dissuaded them from doing so. Right.

[Chloe Melas]

Well, they all left in a sprinter van together. Who knows where they go from here? I'm almost certain, Blaine, that we're going to hear from at least a couple of them. But definitely that is really the next step other than hearing from Combs himself.

[Blaine Alexander]

I just want to get your final thoughts on this. I mean, you've covered not only this trial for the better part of two months, but really every twist, every turn in the Combs saga, the civil lawsuits. If you could just give me your thoughts on the verdict, your reaction, and just where do you think things go from here?

[Chloe Melas]

Well, I have many thoughts And I have learned a lot about sexual abuse. Obviously, my main job is to tell a story and get the facts right. And it's been unbelievable to be really getting a front row seat to history, especially in the music industry and across the entertainment industry. But again, the story is still not over.

[Blaine Alexander]

Well, Chloe, I think it's been a fascinating trial to watch. You've done an incredible job of covering it from beginning to end. And I thank you as always for your insights today and throughout the entire duration of the trial. Thank you.

[Chloe Melas]

Thank you so much. And it's been so amazing working with the DATELINE team. You, Andrea and our producers, Franny, who's been here every single day on the sidewalk, and obviously Alison Orr and Liz and everybody over at dateline.

[Blaine Alexander]

Thanks so much for listening. On Trial is produced by Franny Kelly with help from the DATELINE True Crime Weekly team. Our senior producers are Alison Orr and Liz Brown Karloff. Original Music by Jesse McGinty, Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer of dateline. And we'd like to name a few more people who made this whole series possible. Thanks very much to Adam Reese, Kat Corrigan, Sue Kroll, Candice Kuo, Jen Feng, Kathryn Koretsky, Austin Mullen and Mike Calia. Thanks also to Bryson Barnes, Rob Byers and Hazik Ben Ahmad Farid. And a very special thanks to Cheryl David and Lindsey Gazza.

[Oregon Lottery Representative]

In the summer, all of Oregon is our playground thanks to our incredible park system. That's why it's so cool that Oregon Lottery gameplay like video lottery or cash pop, help support tons of parks projects statewide like accessible trails at Silver Falls State park or upgrades to your favorite dog park in Newburgh. It's just one way a little lottery play for many Oregonians can add up to a lot of good the Oregon Lottery. Together, we do good things. Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only. Must be 18 or older to play.