A split decision that saw the fallen rapper and mogul escape being convicted of the more serious charges left observers stumped and ponderous — and looking for answers.

Sean Combs has been incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, since his September arrest.

Sean “Diddy Combs was convicted of a prostitution-related offense but acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been denied bail after a jury convicted him on two federal charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him of more serious charges. The acquittal of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges spares Combs a potential life sentence;