A jury in New York City delivered a mixed verdict regarding music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, convicting him on charges related to prostitution while acquitting him of more serious allegations surrounding sex trafficking and racketeering. This case joins a long history of celebrity trials that have captivated the public.
One of the most iconic cases was that of O.J. Simpson, who in 1995 was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. The trial was famously deemed the “trial of the century.” However, a civil jury later found Simpson responsible for the deaths, ordering him to pay $33.5 million in damages. O.J. Simpson passed away in 2024 at 76, succumbing to prostate cancer.
Michael Jackson’s 2005 trial also gained significant media attention. Accused of molesting a young cancer survivor at his Neverland Ranch, Jackson faced up to two decades in prison. Ultimately, the pop icon was acquitted of all charges but tragically died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a propofol overdose.
Controversy also surrounds R. Kelly, who is currently incarcerated in North Carolina. In 2021, he was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking, receiving a 30-year sentence. The court found that he had long exploited his celebrity status to abuse young women and girls. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a 20-year sentence for related child sex charges.
Bill Cosby, once known as “America’s Dad,” faced his own legal battles after being convicted of sexual assault in 2018. This was a landmark case in the #MeToo era, but Cosby was released in 2021 when Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court overturned his conviction, citing a deal with a former district attorney that should have prevented his prosecution.
Alec Baldwin, involved in a high-profile case, found reprieve last year when involuntary manslaughter charges were dismissed mid-trial over evidence mishandling. The charges were related to a 2021 incident on the “Rust” movie set, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died. In response to the dismissal, Baldwin has pursued legal action, alleging malicious prosecution and defamation.
A$AP Rocky recently faced legal scrutiny as well, but earlier this year, a Los Angeles jury acquitted him of assault charges. Accused of firing a semiautomatic gun at a former friend in Hollywood, the artist declined a plea deal and chose not to testify during the trial.
Harvey Weinstein, a key figure of the #MeToo movement, is serving a 16-year sentence following his 2022 conviction for rape and other offenses in Los Angeles. A retrial in New York City also found him guilty last month, as he continues to appeal these decisions.
Martha Stewart faced legal challenges of her own back in 2004 when she was convicted of lying about a stock sale. After serving a five-month sentence, she experienced a career resurgence and made headlines again in 2023 by gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition at the age of 81.
Finally, Kevin Spacey’s career was marred by accusations of sexual assault from four men dating back two decades. A London jury acquitted him in 2023, but Spacey claims the ordeal left him bankrupt, attributing financial woes to substantial legal costs incurred by his defense during the height of the #MeToo movement.