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Sean “Diddy” Combs has lost his bid to overturn his conviction or secure a new trial, just days before his sentencing in federal court.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ruled Tuesday, Sept. 30, that the evidence against Combs was overwhelming. “The government proved its case many times over,” the judge wrote, rejecting arguments from Combs’ legal team that his charges were unfairly joined and prejudiced the jury.
The 55-year-old music mogul is scheduled to be sentenced Friday, Oct. 3, on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted in July of racketeering and sex trafficking but convicted on the lesser charges after a high-profile trial.
Prosecutors are urging the court to impose a sentence of at least 11 years, calling Combs “unrepentant” and emphasizing the harm his conduct caused. In a 164-page sentencing memo, they argued his punishment should reflect both the crimes and the manner in which they were committed.
Defense attorneys, however, are pushing for a maximum of 14 months, just slightly more than the time Combs has already spent in pretrial detention at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. They say he has endured harsh conditions behind bars and has already been significantly punished. Support letters from family, friends, and even fellow inmates were submitted to the court.
Combs’ ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, also addressed the court in a letter ahead of sentencing. She asked Judge Subramanian to consider “the many lives that Sean Combs has upended with his abuse and control” when determining his punishment.
The courtroom appearance Friday will mark Combs’ first since the trial concluded. Despite escaping the most serious charges, he still faces the possibility of several years in federal prison. Under sentencing guidelines, the counts carry a maximum of 20 years.
The 55-year-old music mogul is scheduled to be sentenced Friday, Oct. 3, on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted in July of racketeering and sex trafficking but convicted on the lesser charges after a high-profile trial.
Prosecutors are urging the court to impose a sentence of at least 11 years, calling Combs “unrepentant” and emphasizing the harm his conduct caused. In a 164-page sentencing memo, they argued his punishment should reflect both the crimes and the manner in which they were committed.
Defense attorneys, however, are pushing for a maximum of 14 months, just slightly more than the time Combs has already spent in pretrial detention at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. They say he has endured harsh conditions behind bars and has already been significantly punished. Support letters from family, friends, and even fellow inmates were submitted to the court.
Combs’ ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, also addressed the court in a letter ahead of sentencing. She asked Judge Subramanian to consider “the many lives that Sean Combs has upended with his abuse and control” when determining his punishment.
The courtroom appearance Friday will mark Combs’ first since the trial concluded. Despite escaping the most serious charges, he still faces the possibility of several years in federal prison. Under sentencing guidelines, the counts carry a maximum of 20 years.
Combs remains incarcerated without bail as the case heads toward its conclusion.
