Sean Combs’ mother Janice Combs said she felt “incredible” moments after her son was cleared of the most serious criminal charges he faced.
“I feel good,” the 85-year-old told the Daily Mail outside the Manhattan federal courthouse on Wednesday (02,07.25.)
Her 55-year-old music mogul son, known professionally as Diddy, was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges after a seven-week trial.
He was, however, convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, each carrying a potential 10-year prison sentence.
The jury in his case reached its decision after 13 hours of deliberation.
Combs has been in custody since his arrest in September 2024 and is due back in court at 5pm to hear whether he will be granted bail.
His children expressed joy following the verdict.
Christian Combs, 27, also known as King Combs, told the Daily Mail: “First thing I’m gonna do is hug my Pops!”
Justin Combs, 31, said: “I am so happy.”
Christian added: “We were hopeful but you never know.”
Combs' longtime friend, music producer Charlucci Finney, who has known him for 40 years, also joined the family at the courthouse.
As they left together, Christian and Finney led cheers and screams in the elevator.
Finney, appearing emotional, said: “I just didn’t know which way it was gonna go. I haven’t even processed this yet. Man it’s incredible he’s gonna be coming home.”
Janice, who remained composed in court, smiled and waved at cameras as she left the building with her sister and grandchildren.
The twins embraced as the verdict was read, while spectators erupted in celebration when the jury foreman delivered three counts of not guilty.
Across town, 38-year-old Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend and a central witness in the case, reportedly reacted with horror to the verdict.
Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, told CNN: “Obviously, Cassie Ventura, at that point in time and today, is not the winner.”
Wigdor issued a statement after the verdict, praising Ventura’s testimony and the impact it had.
“She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,” he said.
He also rejected the defence’s portrayal of Ventura as victorious due to a multimillion-dollar civil settlement in 2023.
“No amount of money is going to ever undo what she had to endure and what she had to go through,” Wigdor said, referencing Ventura’s claims of rape and being forced into “days long sexual acts with UTIs”.
Cassie, who was eight months pregnant when she testified, is now said to be focusing on her family.
Her husband, Alex Fine, was seen entering their Manhattan home with their children shortly after the verdict was delivered.
Combs’ defence attorney Marc Agnifilo told the Daily Mail: “It feels great,” after leaving the courtroom. The legal team is pushing for Combs’ release on a $1million bond, though prosecutors have opposed bail.
During the trial, Agnifilo had referred to Ventura as the “winner” in the case, but Wigdor dismissed that description, instead highlighting Ventura’s role in the two counts that resulted in Combs’ conviction.
Alongside Ventura, another woman testified under the pseudonym Jane.
Prosecutors argued Combs had operated a criminal enterprise over several years, but the jury rejected those central claims, delivering acquittals on the most serious charges.