As the verdict was read out in courtroom 26A in lower Manhattan, Sean “Diddy” Combs, tightly squeezed Teny Geragos’s hand and raised it in the air.

Nearly two months ago, the lawyer sitting to his left had glided over to the wooden podium to deliver a controversial opening statement in which she admitted her client was a violent domestic abuser. She did not deny that he had done some terrible things, but that wasn’t what Combs was on trial for, she told the court.

It was a risky move, but as the jury foreman delivered the verdict on Wednesday morning, it was clearly one that had paid off. Combs was acquitted on the most serious offences of sex trafficking and racketeering and found guilty of two charges of transporting prostitutes.

As Combs put his head in his hands and fell to the ground to celebrate, Ms Geragos dabbed at her tears with a tissue and hugged his family members.

The three not guilty verdicts were not just a partial victory for Combs – it was a career-defining win for Ms Geragos, who was one of his “dream team” of lawyers led by Marc Agnifilo.