Sean Diddy Combs jury deadlocked after rappers defense played high stakes poker: legal expert

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial jurors were deadlocked Tuesday after reaching a verdict on four of the five counts against the rapper.Two months after the trial kicked off, and nearly 14 hours into deliberations, jurors told Judge Arun Subramanian that they were unable to reach a unanimous decision on a racketeering charge. The prosecution called more than 30 witnesses to the stand throughout seven weeks of testimony, while Diddy’s defense team rested without calling any witnesses on their behalf — a move considered “high stakes poker” by former federal prosecutor and Fox News contributor Trey Gowdy.“Usually, when defense does not call witnesses, that defendant is called an inmate,” Gowdy explained.

“I’ve said that my entire career.That’s a fancy way of calling someone an inmate.

You gotta give the jury a reason for reasonable doubt and to simply say the prosecution hasn’t met its burden … most jurors don’t really understand what that burden is.”He added, “Gotta give the jury a reason for doubt and if you don’t put up a very significant defense, all you do is cross-examine government witnesses, then you’re going to be an inmate.”Diddy told the court last week that it was his decision not to testify in his sex crimes case.The judge asked if Diddy understood he had the right to testify or not testify, and if he had discussed his rights with his attorney.

Diddy responded, “Yes, thoroughly,” before admitting it was “solely my decision” to not testify in his sex crimes trial. Jurors began deliberating on Monday, June 30, and of the five counts, could not agree on a verdict for the racketeering charge, one of the most serious counts against the disgraced music mogul.A federal RICO violation can result in a 20-year sentence.

The transportation to engage in prostitution charge could carry a sentence of up to 10 years, while sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion may carry a 20-year sentence.“It’s very com...