URGENT UPDATE: Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has just announced plans to appeal his lengthy sentence, claiming that the presiding judge acted improperly in sentencing. Combs was handed a 50-month prison sentence for two prostitution-related offenses, significantly longer than the 12 months his lawyers had requested.
In exclusive interviews with ABC News, Combs’ attorneys, including lead attorney Teny Geragos, expressed outrage over Judge Arun Subramanian’s ruling, which they argue unjustly punishes Combs for crimes he was acquitted of. “The jury made it very clear in their verdict that they acquitted him of the sex trafficking and the RICO counts,” Geragos stated. “Not guilty means not guilty.”
Combs has already served one year in prison and is facing a $500,000 fine. His lawyers assert that the judge’s decision reflects an unfair consideration of conduct for which Combs was found not guilty. “The Judge acted as a 13th juror,” stated attorney Alexandra Shapiro, who will lead the appeal. “The sentence was driven by the conduct the jury rejected.”
As the situation develops, the implications of this case extend beyond Combs himself. The judge emphasized during sentencing that the repeated nature of Combs’ crimes and his alleged violence towards former partners necessitated a tough penalty. “The court is not assured that if released, these crimes would not be committed again,” Judge Subramanian remarked, aiming to send a strong message against domestic violence.
Shapiro acknowledged the weight of evidence presented at trial, including a video of Combs assaulting a former partner, but argued that the lengthy sentence undermines Combs’ potential for rehabilitation. “What is the point of more incarceration for a person like Mr. Combs?” she questioned, advocating for an approach that focuses on reform rather than extended punishment.
Combs’ defense team argues that he has already faced significant repercussions, including reputational damage and ongoing civil lawsuits. Geragos emphasized that Combs has accepted responsibility for his actions related to domestic violence, yet insists that this does not pertain to the charges for which he was convicted. “We accept the domestic violence. We take ownership of it,” Geragos stated, underscoring the complexity of Combs’ situation.
The appeal process promises to continue to unfold in the coming weeks, with Combs’ lawyers determined to challenge what they view as an unjust ruling. As public interest in the case remains high, many are left to ponder the broader implications for justice and accountability in similar cases.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Combs’ legal team prepares to take action against what they describe as an unfair sentence.
