UPDATE: Sean “Diddy” Combs has just arrived at the Manhattan courthouse for a critical appeal hearing challenging his July 2 conviction on prostitution charges. The hip-hop mogul, aged 55, faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if the jury’s decision stands.
Combs was found guilty of paying male escorts to travel across state lines to engage in sexual acts with his girlfriends while he filmed the encounters. The jury, however, cleared him of more severe charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. As he entered the courtroom of US District Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs appeared upbeat, smiling and greeting his legal team and family members in attendance.
This appeal hearing comes after Combs’ defense team filed a motion on July 30, arguing that he did not personally engage in sexual acts during the alleged drug-fueled “Freak Offs.” They claim that Combs was merely filming what they referred to as “amateur pornography,” protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
In contrast, prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office emphasized that Combs’ involvement in arranging these sexual encounters suffices for conviction, irrespective of his direct participation. They alleged that he utilized the footage as a means of blackmail, threatening to release it if his girlfriends withdrew from the performances.
The case has garnered significant media attention, particularly due to the testimonies of two former girlfriends, Cassandra Ventura, known as Cassie, and a woman referred to as Jane. Both women testified that Combs subjected them to physical violence and threats, coercing them into participating in the sexual performances. While the defense acknowledged the physical altercations, they contended that there was no direct causation between the alleged domestic violence and the women’s consent to the encounters, arguing that both women participated willingly out of affection for Combs.
As the hearing unfolds, each side will have 20 minutes to present their arguments before Judge Subramanian, who has yet to announce when he will make a ruling on the appeal. The judge has also requested that both parties address the timeliness of Combs’ First Amendment argument.
If the conviction is upheld, Combs is scheduled for sentencing on October 3, 2024. His lawyers have suggested a sentence of 14 months, which could lead to his early release, factoring in time already served at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn. Prosecutors are expected to submit their own sentencing recommendations by September 29.
The developments in this case are unfolding rapidly, with significant implications for Combs’ future. Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to develop.
