NEW YORK (AP) – Sean “Diddy” Combs received a standing ovation from fellow inmates upon returning to jail after a jury acquitted him of serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, suggested that this moment served as a significant example for Black incarcerated men across America, illustrating that it is possible to win against the government’s case.
Attorney Agnifilo noted that during a recent interview, inmates expressed their disbelief, stating, “We never get to see anyone who beats the government,” highlighting the weight of the moment. At 55 years old, Combs remains incarcerated following his conviction on prostitution-related charges, which could result in several additional years of imprisonment at sentencing, despite being credited for ten months already served.
Combs was arrested after federal agents conducted raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March 2024. Agnifilo had warned Combs to prepare for potential sex trafficking charges, indicating that he had an intuition about the case’s direction. He told Combs, “Maybe it’s your fate in life to be the guy who wins,” a sentiment that seemed to motivate Combs during the trial.
The verdict emerged from a well-crafted defense strategy led by Agnifilo and his team of eight lawyers. Over two months, they executed a plan that focused on undermining the prosecution’s claims, presenting Combs as a “jealous domestic abuser” rather than a sex trafficker. Agnifilo stated that they shared with the jurors, “the violence was so clear and up front,” ensuring that the jury understood the context and refrained from misinterpreting the events surrounding Combs’ personal life as part of a trafficking operation.
Throughout the eight-week trial, the defense team employed gentle but effective cross-examinations that picked apart the prosecution’s case. Notably, Combs did not take the stand, and his lawyers chose not to call additional witnesses during the trial. Legal experts, including former federal prosecutor Sarah Krissoff, praised the defense's ability to maintain a cohesive narrative without presenting witnesses, calling it “masterful.”
Despite a momentary setback when jurors reported a deadlock on the racketeering count, the mood shifted when Agnifilo ultimately sensed a favorable outcome. The morning of the verdict, he awoke with a renewed sense of optimism. When the jury ultimately acquitted Combs of the more serious charges, Combs appeared appreciative, mouthing “thank you” to the jurors who supported him. Family members and supporters applauded, celebrating the defense team’s victory.
Legal analyst Mitchell Epner characterized the outcome as a “major victory for the defense and a major loss for the prosecution,” applauding the defense team for effectively challenging the prosecution, which often sees success in such high-profile cases. Agnifilo’s strategy involved mocking the investigation that led to the charges and questioning the prosecution’s motives, describing the scenario as federal intervention in personal matters.
Looking forward, Agnifilo believes Combs faces a challenging road ahead regarding personal growth and accountability. He mentioned that Combs is likely to re-enter a domestic abuse rehabilitation program that he had begun before the arrest, indicating a genuine desire for self-improvement.
In a strange twist of fate, Agnifilo experienced an unexpected situation outside the courtroom following Combs’ bail rejection when a man collapsed and began seizing. Agnifilo, trained in handling such emergencies, quickly intervened to assist the man until medical personnel arrived. Reflecting on the day, Agnifilo described it as tumultuous and filled with unexpected events.
