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Sean Combs to be sentenced
Sean “Diddy” Combs will appear before a federal judge in Manhattan on Friday to be sentenced following his conviction earlier this year on federal prostitution-related charges.
Following the eight-week trial concluded in July, jurors cleared Combs of the most serious accusations; sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The jury did, however, convict him on two charges of transporting people for prostitution. Judge Arun Subramanian now holds the task of deciding the penalty. Proceedings are set to begin at 10am eastern time.
Combs was accused of pressuring two former partners into drug-laced sexual encounters involving hired escorts. A conviction on the most severe counts could have put him in prison for life.
When he was acquitted of those allegations, he dropped to his knees in prayer. His lawyer said he had “been given his life back”.
But the guilty verdicts he did receive still each carry a maximum of 10 years in prison under the Mann Act, which forbids crossing state lines to facilitate prostitution. Prosecutors describe the conduct as grave offenses, while the defense has dismissed the charges as “fallback” counts that never should have gone forward.
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A former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, testified during the trial that Combs ordered her to have “disgusting” sex with strangers hundreds of times during their decade-long relationship.
The jury was repeatedly shown video clips of Combs dragging and beating Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway after one of those multiday sexual marathons, which she referred to as “freak-offs” during her four days of testimony.
A woman who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” told jurors she too was subjected to violence and felt obligated to perform sexually with male sex workers at drug-fueled “hotel nights” while Combs watched and sometimes filmed.
To support their racketeering case, prosecutors also brought on witnesses who testified about other violent acts. A former personal assistant testified that Combs raped her. One of Cassie’s friends told the jury Combs dangled her from a 17th floor balcony. The rapper Kid Cudi testified that Combs broke into his home after learning he and Cassie were dating.
Although the jury acquitted Combs of racketeering, the judge can still consider that testimony as he decides the sentence.
It has been reported that Combs intends to speak directly to the judge before the sentence is announced, despite never testifying during the trial.
In a request filed last week, his attorneys asked that he be permitted to appear in “non-prison clothing” at the proceeding, just as he had during the trial when he wore sweaters and collared shirts.
“The sentencing proceeding holds significant importance for Mr. Combs,” the letter said. “He wishes to appear before the Court, address Your Honor, and allocate in the most dignified and respectful fashion possible.”
A wide range of sentences is on the table, as both prosecution and defense have made recommendations guided by federal sentencing rules, although the final decision belongs to the judge.
The government is urging no less than 135 months behind bars – that’s 11 years and three months – calling Combs “unrepentant” and highlighting violence and intimidation that witnesses described.
Defense lawyers are pressing for no more than 14 months, which with time already served would allow Combs to leave custody by the end of 2025. They argue that his punishment has already been sufficient for what they say was consensual sex with paid “entertainers.”
Probation officials, meanwhile, calculated that the guideline range could reach up to seven years and three months.
Sean Combs to be sentenced
Sean “Diddy” Combs will appear before a federal judge in Manhattan on Friday to be sentenced following his conviction earlier this year on federal prostitution-related charges.
Following the eight-week trial concluded in July, jurors cleared Combs of the most serious accusations; sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The jury did, however, convict him on two charges of transporting people for prostitution. Judge Arun Subramanian now holds the task of deciding the penalty. Proceedings are set to begin at 10am eastern time.
Combs was accused of pressuring two former partners into drug-laced sexual encounters involving hired escorts. A conviction on the most severe counts could have put him in prison for life.
When he was acquitted of those allegations, he dropped to his knees in prayer. His lawyer said he had “been given his life back”.
But the guilty verdicts he did receive still each carry a maximum of 10 years in prison under the Mann Act, which forbids crossing state lines to facilitate prostitution. Prosecutors describe the conduct as grave offenses, while the defense has dismissed the charges as “fallback” counts that never should have gone forward.
