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Transcript
00:00A thumbs up from Sean Cone's mother as she and the rest of the family breathed a sigh of relief
00:09after the music mogul was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering.
00:14The jury in New York convicting Cone's on prostitution-related charges,
00:18finding him guilty of flying people across state lines,
00:21including girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters.
00:26It follows weeks of disturbing testimony, including from singer and former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
00:33Her lawyer says she paved the way for Wednesday's verdict.
00:36We're pleased that he's finally been held responsible for two federal crimes,
00:42something that he's never faced in his life.
00:45He still faces substantial jail time.
00:47Of course, we would have liked to have seen a conviction on the sex crimes in RICO,
00:52but we understand it beyond a reasonable doubt is a high standard.
00:55Didi reportedly turned to his supporters in court as the verdict was delivered,
01:00telling them, I'll be home soon.
01:02He then knelt in front of his chair as his family cheered.
01:06Prosecutors had painted Combs as the head of a decades-long criminal enterprise,
01:10accusing him of using fame, money and violence to pressure girlfriends
01:14into wild, days-long sex parties or freak-offs.
01:18The defence argued everything was consensual
01:20and amounted to nothing more than a swinger's lifestyle.
01:23The verdict does represent a partial victory for Didi,
01:26who has always denied any wrongdoing.
01:29Absolutely a win.
01:30The defence took a really big gamble going to trial on this case.
01:35Really, any time that a defendant chooses to go to trial against the federal government,
01:40it's a big gamble.
01:41They have a lot in their favour, and it really paid off for Combs.
01:46Combs' defence lawyer had requested that the rapper be released on bail
01:51following the verdict, but the judge has since denied that bid.
01:55Combs' charges carry up to 20 years behind bars.

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