The jury in the Sean Combs case has been deliberating since Monday. Around 5pm on Tuesday they informed the Judge that they had a verdict in every count but the RICO count.
What does that mean?
In our opinion, and we hate reading jury tea-leaves, it is not great for the defense. An acquittal is an acquittal. And the RICO count was the most far-reaching count, meaning that if the jury was acquitting Combs it would be the easiest count to reach a NG on. The fact that they are hung on this count, indicates to us that they have convicted him on at least some of the counts, but cannot get unanimity on the far-reaching RICO count.
All is not lost however. The verdict on the RICO count has significant consequences, including a 15 year min man, (and you know how much we hate min mans), and an exposure to a life sentence.
Our view on the evidence? It's complicated.
This was NOT a RICO case.
But Combs did a lot of things wrong, mostly using his power and wealth to manipulate vulnerable women. But these women entered into a consensual relationship, and remained despite being manipulated into very unpleasant sexual encounters. But where do we draw the line between culpability and complicity in a complicated relationship? It is a very hard line to draw.
If we were the judge and had unfettered power to sentence Combs, we would send him to prison. But for how long? Two years? Sure. Four? Yeah....Over five? That is a hard call. Combs used his power. But that is what powerful people do. And having wealth and power is not a crime. Using it to satisfy your prurient sexual interests is also not a crime until a line is crossed. And that line is consent, the age-old question in many sexual crimes.
This case is a tough one to unravel.
Your thoughts?
10 comments:
How can we get better working conditions at the SAO without fear of retaliation?
The Q or the Big Easy E walk him in two hours. But they wanted too much money I heard (50 M!!!!). So here he is, fighting for his freedom. You can always sell another record if you are not in the clink. Fear the Q.
The cryptic words, initials and other codes are cute and all (for teenage girls), but for the rest of us common folk, not part of the blog click, can you communicate like an adult and say who Q and Big Easy E are? After all, it sounds like you’re complimenting their legal abilities.
Fear The Q. Close your eyes. Become the Q. Duh. Miami legal legend. Invented the string theory defense of a client being innocent client in an infinite number of other universes in which the state failed (and could never ) prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. And the Big. Easy E? Miami legal real estate mogul who took his millions flipping properties to a small island in Maine where he paints watercolor landscapes that are highly sought after and turned a small Miami slice pizza place on E56 in Manhattan into a multi million dollar side hustle viral tik tok pizza slice empire that people line up for and wait over an hour to get a pollo la plancha slice or a chicharonne slice or a ropa vieja slice. Come on man get with it. These are the legends of the 305 repping
835 word
The blog was just certified old by Gen Z. They don’t get the lingo.
He’s a not a good person but grossly overcharged
Ok cool guy
What?
Post-verdict: Combs faces up to 10 on each guilty count. Question is whether court lets him out pending sentencing (he will surely split, if so), or pending appeal (same). I suspect the jury instructions were too tough for the jury to understand (RICO is pretty dense and complex; most lawyers do not understand it. Although, it must be noted, Rudy Giuliano manifestly did.)
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