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Alternate juror in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial speaks out as Fourth of July prison menu revealed

A member of the first jury pool in Sean ’Diddy’ Combs’ trial has opened up after the verdict was handed down, as the music mogul’s Fourth of July prison menu was revealed.

An alternate juror in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs‘ sex trafficking and racketeering trial said the now notorious security footage of the music mogul attacking his girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura at a hotel did not weigh too heavily in the context of the charges.

“I mean, it was a very bad video,” the 37-year-old man, who apparently works at the United Nations in the counter-terrorism office, told CNN on Thursday.

But Combs “wasn’t charged with domestic violence.”

The man, who CNN declined to give the full name of, said he probably would have made the same decision as the jury.

“I understood the final verdict,” he said.

“I took a copious amount of notes, overall, 350 pages worth of notes … and looking back at the evidence, I probably would have reached the same conclusion as the other jurors … I think there was always a little bit of doubt.”

Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean
Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean "Diddy" Combs. Picture: Invision/AP

Although the juror was not part of the group that deliberated, he was the first member of the jury pool, which included six alternates.

He also shared his views on the sealed freak-off videos of Combs’ girlfriends having sex with male escorts.

“They were very graphic, but I think overall, it was looking at it from one side,” the man told CNN. “It was definitely riveting and eye-opening.”

He continued: “It didn’t seem forced,” adding, “It was actually, like, pretty tame. It was just a lot of rubbing oil.”

The disgraced rapper, 55, was found not guilty on two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and racketeering conspiracy. However, he was convicted of two counts of prostitution, with each charge carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Combs is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, after being denied bail following his partial conviction.

DIDDY’S FOURTH OF JULY PRISON MENU REVEALED

Sean “Diddy” Combs won’t be popping bottles of bubbly and eating filet mignon this Fourth of July.

The “Act Bad” rapper will be celebrating Independence Day eating a much different menu than he’s used to.

For his first meal of the day, the convicted felon will enjoy cereal, fruit, milk, butter and a breakfast cake, a rep for the detention facility tells Page Six.

For lunch, Combs can choose a hamburger, bean burger, two hot dogs or soy dogs, mac and cheese, green beans and fruit.

The Metropolitan Detention Center, (MDC) in Brooklyn, a United States federal administrative detention facility. Picture: AFP
The Metropolitan Detention Center, (MDC) in Brooklyn, a United States federal administrative detention facility. Picture: AFP

In the evening the Revolt co-founder can finish the Fourth by enjoying baked fish or black beans, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, two pieces of wheat bread and juice for dinner.

On Wednesday, Combs finally learned his fate in his eight-week-long sex trafficking trial after a jury reached a verdict.

After the verdict was read, Combs’ legal team urged Judge Arun Subramanian to release him on bail pending his sentencing.

Subramanian denied the dad of seven’s request because his attorneys failed to demonstrate that he poses “no danger to any person.”

People in support and against the verdict decision in Sean
People in support and against the verdict decision in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial gather outside Manhattan's Federal Court after on July 2, 2025 in New York. Picture: AFP

Despite the ruling, Combs’ fans celebrated his legal victory by dousing each other in baby oil outside the Manhattan courthouse.

The Sean John clothing founder’s lead lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, called the verdict a “great victory” for his client and “for the jury system.”

Combs’ sentencing hearing is set for Oct. 3, 2025.

CELEBS REACT TO DIDDY VERDICT

As Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering, but convicted of two prostitution offences, the stunned reactions were quick to roll in.

50 Cent put his longstanding feud with Combs to the side upon hearing his fellow rapper escaped conviction on his most serious charges, taking to social media to send his congratulations.

“Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man!” 50 Cent wrote alongside a photo of himself with a huge smile on his face.

There’s a history of animosity between US rapper Curtis James Jackson III aka
There’s a history of animosity between US rapper Curtis James Jackson III aka "50 Cent" and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Picture: AP

50 Cent – real name Curtis James Jackson – was name-dropped during the trial in May, when Diddy’s ex-assistant Capricorn Clark told jurors her boss once implied he might pull a gun on his nemesis.

“I don’t like all the back and forth … I like guns,” Clark recalled Combs telling his manager after seeing 50 Cent at an MTV event.

Outside the courthouse, Diddy fans erupted into cheers and could be seen embracing one another.

Fans soon began squirting each other with baby oil in a raucous celebration outside court.

Supporters of Sean
Supporters of Sean "Diddy" Combs, react outside Manhattan federal court after Combs was convicted of a prostitution-related offence but acquitted on the most serious charges. Picture: AP

Wild footage shows supporters dancing and joyously shouting “whoo hoo!” as a half-naked woman drenched in the oil rips off her blue wig and waves it around, footage posted on X shows.

A man in a blue top then squirts the woman, who is wearing only underwear, with the lubricant — which was notoriously used by Combs during his days-long freak-off sex parties, according to video posted by the NBC reporter.

“Oh my god!” a member of the crowd yelled, as others laughed and cheered.

This fan brought along baby oil to celebrate. Picture: Getty Images
This fan brought along baby oil to celebrate. Picture: Getty Images

Bottles of baby oil were found during the raids on Diddy’s homes.

Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, 85, gave a big thumbs up to the crowd as she and the mogul’s children walked out hand-in-hand with big smiles on their faces.

Casandra Ventura, the rapper’s ex-girlfriend who testified she was “coerced” into taking part in sex marathons by Diddy who subjected her to physical abuse, issued a statement via her lawyer.

“This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,” her lawyer, Doug Wigdor, said in a statement just moments after the verdict was delivered.

“Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”

Singer Cassie Ventura‘s lawyer issued a statement on her behalf. Picture: AP
Singer Cassie Ventura‘s lawyer issued a statement on her behalf. Picture: AP

“We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial,” Wigdor said in the wake of the verdict.

“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. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”

P Diddy performs with members of Danity Kane on NBC's
P Diddy performs with members of Danity Kane on NBC's "Today" TV program in New York's Rockefeller Center in 2006. Picture: AP

Singer Aubrey O’Day, formerly of the music group Danity Kane, took to Instagram to say “Oh, this makes me physically ill,” and added, “Cassie probably feels so horrible. I’m gonna vomit.”

Danity Kane formed on Combs’ MTV reality television program Making the Band and signed to his Bad Boy Records.

Rosie O'Donnell vented her frustration with the verdict.
Rosie O'Donnell vented her frustration with the verdict.

Actor Rosie O’Donnell chimed in: “I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion, wow,” and added, “This decision got me angry.”

Kesha showed support for Ventura with a simple message on X: “Cassie, I believe you. I love you. Your strength is a beacon for every survivor”.

Women’s rights lawyer Dr. Ann Olivarius told The Post that the verdict put the limitations of the criminal justice system front and centre.

Diddy’s mum Janice Combs gave the verdict a thumbs up. Picture: AFP
Diddy’s mum Janice Combs gave the verdict a thumbs up. Picture: AFP

“That Combs’ lawyers could frame this as a ‘great modern love story’ and be rewarded for it speaks volumes,” Olivarius said of Diddy and Ms Ventura’s past relationship.

“We’re now told that a love story can include brutal beatings, sexual humiliation, blackmail, stalking, and that the woman should feel lucky to be part of it.”

Combs’ acquittal on his most serious charges sends a “deeply depressing” message to survivors of domestic and sexual violence – and reflects society’s bias against believing black women who report abuse, one expert told The Post.

“It’s deeply depressing. It’s very, very disheartening to say the least,” said Professor Dale Margolin Cecka, Director of the Family Violence Litigation Clinic at Albany Law School.

The jury’s finding of Combs not guilty of coercing his ex-girlfriends into having degrading sex with escorts – despite evidence that he had near-complete control of their livelihoods during the time – sends a message that such coercive tactics are “acceptable,” she added.

“It sends a message that we as a society don’t really believe that men use power and control of finances and livelihood as an abusive tactic, that ‘that’s just how it is,’” Prof Cecka told The Post.

“That trickles down to the most marginalised people in society as well,” she added.

The domestic violence advocate, who is also an lawyer, added that black women in her experience face the most uphill battle convincing juries to believe their stories.

“In my experience, black women are not believed. They are just not, no matter what we do, it never changes,” Cecka told The Post.

“They do not fair well in court in general. It’s just a bias in the justice system,” she added.

Combs seven children also reacted to the news of the verdict.

“First thing I’m gonna do is hug my Pops!” Christian “King” Combs, 27, cheered at the Manhattan federal courthouse, per the Daily Mail.

Christian added that he and his siblings were “hopeful” but that “you never know.”

His brother Justin Combs, 31, chimed in, expressing how he is “so happy” with the verdict.

The rapper’s daughter Chance Combs, 18, and his adopted son Quincy Brown, 33, were also present for the verdict.

Christian “King” Combs is looking forward to giving his dad a hug. Picture: Getty Images
Christian “King” Combs is looking forward to giving his dad a hug. Picture: Getty Images

The federal prosecution office that oversaw the Sean Combs case released a statement in the wake of the outcome stating that “sex crimes deeply scar victims” – without commenting directly on the verdict.

“Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,” US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations Ricky Patel wrote.

“Victims endure gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse, leading to lasting trauma,” the statement added. “New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice.”

The statement does not directly address the jury’s decision to acquit Combs on more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges and convict him only on lesser prostitution raps.

As for Combs himself, the rapper sank down onto his knees and appeared to pray.

- with The New York Post

Originally published as Alternate juror in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial speaks out as Fourth of July prison menu revealed

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/world/north-america/cassie-ventura-50-cent-react-to-outcome-of-sean-diddy-combs-trial/news-story/90753bbbe1bcf37316067f2cbd43f12e