The jury in the Sean Combs trial has now officially begun their deliberations.
“You will now retire to decide the case,” Judge Arun Subramanian said before deliberations commenced.
The jury in Manhattan federal court is debating whether Combs is guilty of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution, all of which Combs has denied.
Combs’ mother, twin daughters and sons were seated behind him in the gallery as the judge instructed jurors to base their decision “exclusively on the evidence or lack of evidence.”
The first job for jurors is to elect a foreperson and to send a note to the court indicating who that is.
The jury has been provided with portions of the trial transcript, a laptop with the evidence loaded onto it, a list of exhibits, a copy of the judge’s instructions, and a copy of the verdict sheet.
Alternate jurors are not dismissed. The judge told them that while they do not have to remain in the courthouse during deliberations, they must adhere to all of the instructions until a verdict is reached. Alternates also must provide a phone number where they can be reached in case they’re needed.
“Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your service. You may be called into service,” Subramanian told the alternates. “I’m sorry you will likely miss the experience of deliberating.”
The schedule of deliberations is largely up to the jury. Jurors may stay until 5 p.m. each day or even longer if all 12 jurors agree to stay late. All meals are provided.