The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution, has entered its jury deliberation phase as of July 1, 2025, with no verdict reached after over five hours of discussion on June 30, 2025. The 12-member jury, consisting of eight men and four women, is weighing seven weeks of graphic testimony and evidence in Manhattan’s Southern District of New York. Deliberations have faced early challenges, including concerns about a juror’s ability to follow instructions and a key question about drug distribution, addressed by Judge Arun Subramanian. This article provides an update on the ongoing deliberations, key developments, and their implications, drawing on sources like The New York Times, ABC News, CNN, and posts on X.

Deliberation Status and Key Developments

The jury began deliberating at 11:30 a.m. on June 30, 2025, after two and a half hours of legal instructions from Judge Arun Subramanian. By the end of the first day, after approximately five and a half hours, no verdict was reached, and deliberations resumed at 9 a.m. on July 1, 2025, per CNN and NBC News. The jury sent five notes to the judge, indicating active engagement with the complex charges, which carry a potential life sentence for Combs, 55, who has pleaded not guilty.

• Juror No. 25 Concern: Around 12:30 p.m. on June 30, the jury foreperson sent a note expressing concern that Juror No. 25, a 51-year-old Hispanic veterinarian with a PhD in molecular biology, “cannot follow your honor’s instructions,” per Reuters and Yahoo. The note did not specify which instructions were at issue. After discussions with prosecutors and defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, Subramanian responded with a note reminding jurors of their “duty to deliberate” and to follow his legal instructions, opting not to question or replace the juror immediately, per The New York Times. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Fox News this could signal a “stealth juror” risking jury nullification, potentially grounds for an appeal if Combs is convicted.
• Drug Distribution Question: Late on June 30, the jury asked: “If a recipient wants, requests, or asks for controlled substances, and an individual hands over controlled substances to the requester, has the individual who hands over the controlled substances distributed?” On July 1, Subramanian directed jurors to page 37 of their instructions, defining distribution as “actual, constructive, or attempted transfer” of a controlled substance, regardless of the recipient’s request, per ABC News. This clarification, rejecting defense attempts to modify the response, aligns with prosecutor Maureen Comey’s argument that distribution does not require a sale or coercion, per TMZ.
• Additional Notes: By July 1, the jury sent two more notes, including a request for transcripts of testimony from two of the 34 prosecution witnesses, per Yahoo. This is a standard request, reflecting the jury’s thorough review of evidence, which includes text messages, videos, and photographs, accessible via a provided laptop, per CBS News.

Trial Context and Charges

Combs faces five counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion (involving ex-girlfriends Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and “Jane”), and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors allege Combs led a criminal enterprise over two decades, using drugs, violence, and his staff to orchestrate “freak-offs”—drug-fueled sexual orgies—while coercing and threatening victims, per The Washington Post. Key evidence includes 2016 hotel surveillance footage of Combs assaulting Ventura, testimony from 34 witnesses, and items like 900 bottles of lubricant found in his Los Angeles mansion, per Daily Mail.

The defense, led by Agnifilo, argues that Combs’ actions were consensual, part of a “swingers” lifestyle, and that his drug use was personal, not criminal, per CNN. They challenged witness credibility, notably contradicting a claim by “Jane” about an assault by proving Combs was out of state, per NBC News. The racketeering charge requires proving Combs and co-conspirators committed at least two predicate acts, such as drug distribution or bribery, per The Guardian.

Implications and Challenges

The jury’s early snag with Juror No. 25 suggests potential discord, which could lead to a hung jury if unanimity is not reached, per Fox News. The drug distribution clarification strengthens the prosecution’s case, as testimony from former assistant Brendan Paul, who admitted to procuring drugs for Combs, supports the racketeering charge, per Vulture. However, the defense’s focus on consent and lack of a clear criminal enterprise may resonate with jurors, as legal expert Rahmani noted the case hinges on proving coercion versus consent, per Slate.

Public sentiment on X is mixed. Posts like @Reuters (July 1, 2025) highlight the jury’s concerns, while @TheShadeRoom notes Combs’ courtroom demeanor, such as showing books like The Power of Positive Thinking, suggesting an attempt to project calm, per Vulture. Family support, including his mother Janice and children, remains visible, with Combs reassuring them, “Just relax, it’s gonna be all right,” per Yahoo.

What to Expect

As of July 1, 2025, at 8:56 p.m. IST (11:26 a.m. ET), deliberations continue with no verdict. Subramanian aims to conclude by the July 4 holiday, per USA Today, but the jury’s pace suggests a thorough process. If convicted, Combs faces life in prison for racketeering, 15 years for sex trafficking, and 10 years for prostitution charges, per Yahoo.