Post by : Meena Ariff

Legal representatives for Sean “Diddy” Combs have filed an appeal in a New York federal court to overturn his conviction related to prostitution or to secure his immediate release from prison. The defense contends that the judge based his decision on allegations that had already been dismissed by the jury, resulting in an unfair sentence.

In a submission made late Tuesday to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, Combs’ lawyers claimed that the sentencing process breached essential fairness standards. They assert that U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian improperly considered testimony related to racketeering and sex trafficking charges for which Combs was acquitted earlier this year.

At 56, Combs is currently serving a four-year and two-month sentence at a federal prison in New Jersey, with a release date set for May 2028. Despite being acquitted of major charges like racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, he was convicted under the Mann Act for transporting individuals across state lines in relation to prostitution.

The appeal claims that Judge Subramanian acted as a “thirteenth juror” by reconsidering allegations that the jury had rejected. Defense attorneys highlighted that Combs was convicted only on two lesser counts that avoided force, fraud, or coercion—indicative of offenses that typically incur much lighter sentences.

The filing pointed out that individuals in similar cases often receive sentences of less than 15 months, arguing that Combs’ sentence was extraordinarily severe and without precedent in similar circumstances.

During the sentencing, the judge referred to testimonies from two former girlfriends who accused Combs of physical abuse and coercion. One accuser, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, stated she was coerced into having repeated sexual relations with male sex workers over their decade-long relationship. Jurors also viewed surveillance footage of Combs allegedly assaulting Ventura in a hotel corridor in Los Angeles.

Another former girlfriend, who spoke under the alias “Jane,” recounted being coerced into drug-influenced sexual encounters referred to as “hotel nights” from 2021 to 2024.

Dismissing the defense’s assertion that such encounters were consensual, Judge Subramanian stated that Combs exploited his influence and authority to manipulate women on emotional, psychological, and physical levels.

The appeals court has not yet planned for oral arguments. Combs’ legal team is seeking to have the conviction dismissed, the sentence mitigated, or an order for his immediate release.

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