🔗 Share this article

The artist known as Diddy is scheduled to appear a federal judge in NYC on Friday for sentencing after being guilty verdict this year on federal counts involving prostitution.

Court Verdict

Following the eight-week trial that wrapped up in the month of July, the jury acquitted Combs of the most serious accusations of sex trade and conspiracy charges. The jury did, however, rule against him on two counts of transporting people for commercial sex acts.

Judge Arun Subramanian is now tasked with the job of setting the sentence. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM ET.

Case Details

The accusations against Combs of influencing two ex-partners into intimate meetings with substances that included professional escorts. A conviction on the most serious charges would have led to a lifetime behind bars.

After being cleared of those accusations, he allegedly knelt down in supplication. His lawyer commented that he had “been given his life back”.

Potential Sentence

Nevertheless, the guilty verdicts he obtained still each carry a potential of a decade incarcerated according to the Mann Act, which prohibits moving across state borders to arrange commercial sex.

The government characterize the behavior as grave offenses, although the defense team has rejected the accusations as “secondary” charges that should not have proceeded.

Recent Developments

It has been reported that Combs intends to speak directly to the judge before the sentence is announced, although never testifying during the trial.

Through a filing submitted recently, his attorneys petitioned that he be authorized to appear in “civilian attire” at the proceeding, similar to he had in the proceedings when he sported informal business attire.

“This court hearing carries great weight for Mr. Combs,” the document said. “He wants to stand before the Court, speak to the court, and speak in the most respectful and proper fashion possible.”

Suggested Sentences

Various punishments is on the table, as the government and defense have submitted proposals following federal penalty standards, though the ultimate ruling is up to the judge.

The government is recommending a minimum of eleven years and three months in prison – which equals 135 months – describing Combs “not sorry” and emphasizing threats and aggression that witnesses described.

The defense team are requesting no more than fourteen months, which considering time served would allow Combs to leave custody by the conclusion of next year. They contend that his punishment has already been adequate for what they maintain was agreed-upon encounters with compensated companions.

Probation officials, in the meantime, determined that the standard penalty range could extend to up to over seven years.