Judge’s Jury Note & Family Reactions Amid Deliberations

After seven weeks of arguments from the feds and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs‘ defense, the jury finally began deliberations on Monday. Thirty-four witnesses took the stand in the federal trial for sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges. However, Diddy, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, did not. While jurors decide what’s next, here’s a reported rundown of what’s going on INSIDE one of hip hop’s biggest trials.

RELATED: Seven Weeks Later! Here’s What To Know Ahead Of Jury Deliberations In Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

Judge Gave THESE Instructions Ahead Of Deliberations

As mentioned, week eight of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial was centered on the start of deliberations. Judge Arun Subramanian began by breaking down the charges per charge: 8 counts of racketeering, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transportation. He then instructed them to pick a foreperson and alert the court with a note about the pick and when they reached a verdict. Subramanian, per CNN, also excused the five alternate jurors from the court, but warned them about remaining reachable.

Additionally, the judge allowed the jury to choose how long deliberations last each day, including whether to go past 5 p.m. Jurors left the courtroom shortly after to begin deliberations. Meanwhile, in the courtroom, the judge commended both sides for “great lawyering” in the “exceptionally tried” case. He also permitted Diddy to have books in his holding cell amid deliberations.

Foreperson Shares Juror Concerns

Ten minutes after leaving, the jury announced their foreperson: juror number five. However, barely an hour into deliberations, the foreperson alerted the court that another juror was having trouble following the judge’s instructions.

“We are concerned (the juror) can not follow your honor’s instructions,” the foreperson wrote in a note just after 12:30 p.m. local time.

Eventually, the judge returned a note: “I received your note. I remind every juror of their duty to deliberate and their obligation to follow my instructions on the law. With that instruction in mind, please continue deliberating.”

For context, Diddy’s defense had suggested a similar note ahead of the judge’s note. Marc Agnifilo proposed that they keep deliberating, saying, “We can always ratchet it up. We can’t ratchet it down.” The judge ultimately went with language from the prosecution.

Diddy’s Family Seemingly Claps In Court

According to reports from the Associated Press and CNN, Diddy’s family, including his mother, Janice, and children, were in the courtroom on Monday. After the judge told the jury to exit for deliberations, the family reportedly stood, held hands, and bowed their heads simultaneously. Afterward, they all started clapping. They left the courtroom soon after.

Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, here are predictions about the verdict: