Hello and welcome to News Hour from the BBC World Service,
coming to you live from London with me, Sean Lay.
Sean Combs,
the musician and one of the crowning figures of the American rap scene for over 30 years,
has been found guilty on two counts of transportation of women to engage in prostitution,
each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
But the jury in his trial in New York acquitted him of a major racketeering charge and two sex trafficking charges which could have sent him to prison for life.
The court will convene in an hour's time to consider a bail application.
Sean Combs has been in custody since his arrest last September.
Whatever sentence is eventually imposed on the rapper-turned-entertainment industry mogul,
the seven-week trial in a Manhattan courtroom has lacerated his public image,
an image carefully nurtured but one based on real, measurable musical talent.
He managed Biggie Smalls, his fellow rapper, the late notorious B.I.G.,
and is credited with discovering Mary J. Blige and Usher, among others.
Despite the trials revelations, his violent,
controlling behaviour towards the women in his life,
including his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura,
the requirement for them to have sex with male escorts whilst he watched and filmed events he called freak-offs,
his fans kept vigil throughout and were there mid-morning when the jury came back,
with those listening to live news feeds conveying the verdicts to the crowd.