Sean Combs Wants Out of Prison, Now

Sean “Diddy” Combs is not only serving a federal prison sentence but is now asking an appeals court to overturn his conviction or, at minimum, order a new sentencing hearing. According to NBC News, Combs’ attorneys on Tuesday filed an expedited appeal with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, requesting his immediate release while the court reviews the case.

Combs is serving a 50-month sentence after a New York jury convicted him of two counts of transporting adults across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted of more serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.

In an 84-page filing, appellate attorney Alexandra Shapiro argues prosecutors failed to prove the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt and contends that the adults involved willingly participated in what she described as multi-day, drug-fueled sexual encounters. The filing maintains that the conduct did not meet the legal standard for the crimes of conviction.

A central focus of the appeal is how U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian calculated Combs’ sentence. Shapiro argues the judge improperly relied on allegations tied to the charges for which Combs was acquitted, effectively acting as a “thirteenth juror” to increase the punishment. She describes the sentence as unlawful and “draconian,” claiming it is roughly three times longer than what would normally apply to the convictions alone.

Combs, who was sentenced in October, was also fined $500,000 and ordered to serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison term. His projected release date is May 25, 2028. Defense attorneys argue that he has already served nearly 16 months, which they say exceeds typical sentences in comparable cases—even those involving coercion, according to ABC News.

The Associated Press reports that Combs’ lawyers claim the sentence is the harshest ever imposed for a similar defendant. If the conviction is upheld, they are asking the appeals court to order Combs’ release and require a new sentencing hearing based solely on the jury’s findings.

The 2nd Circuit rarely overturns district court rulings. The government’s response is due February 20, with Combs’ reply scheduled for March 13.

original source

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