NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs received a standing ovation from fellow inmates upon his return to jail after being acquitted of charges that could have led to life imprisonment. According to his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, this moment may have offered significant hope to Black men incarcerated in America.
“They expressed how rare it is to see someone who defeats the government,” Agnifilo shared during an interview shortly after Combs was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Trial Strategy Proves Effective
Combs, 55, is still behind bars following his conviction on prostitution-related charges and could face several years in prison during an upcoming sentencing, despite having already served 10 months. Agnifilo revealed he had warned Combs to prepare for an arrest related to sex trafficking following federal raids on his properties in Los Angeles and Miami in March 2024.
“I told him, ‘Perhaps your role in life is to be the one who wins,’” Agnifilo recalled, briefly interrupted by a call from Combs in jail. “They need to see that winning is possible. I think he took that encouraging message to heart.”
Creative Defense Approach
The acquittal followed a carefully crafted defense strategy executed by a team of eight lawyers led by Agnifilo, who engaged jurors effectively through cross-examination of nearly three dozen witnesses over two months, including former staff. They painted Combs as a jealous partner with a drug issue who engaged in consensual group activities, emphasizing that while his behavior might be problematic, it did not equate to sex trafficking.
“You might think he’s not a great boyfriend,” stated lawyer Teny Geragos during her opening statement in May, “but that does not amount to sex trafficking.” Agnifilo described their straightforward defense as a “no-brainer,” aimed at clarifying the allegations against Combs.
Revelations and Reflections
Combs and his legal team experienced uncertainty when jurors indicated a deadlock on one charge but reached a conclusion on the others. Early on, Agnifilo reassured the team that the jurors’ deliberations hinted at a favorable outcome for them, leading to positive preparations for bail following the trial.
Despite the challenges, Agnifilo communicated with Combs, who walked into the courtroom uplifted and engaged, leading to a favorable jury verdict that left many in the courtroom emotional. Agnifilo also recognized the skill of his legal team in navigating a difficult case against typically winning prosecutors.
Next Steps for Combs
Looking ahead, Agnifilo envisions a challenging road for Combs upon his release, as he is likely to return to a domestic violence treatment program he had begun before his arrest. “He’s managing,” said Agnifilo, who talks with Combs multiple times a day. “He genuinely wishes to improve and acknowledges his shortcomings.”
Agnifilo also recounted a chaotic moment after Combs’ bail was denied when a man suffered seizures near the courtroom. “It felt surreal, like I was being challenged by fate,” he recalled, as he helped the man until emergency services arrived.
