Lawyers representing American music executive Sean Combs, widely known as Diddy, have filed an appeal challenging the prison sentence handed to the hip-hop mogul, arguing that the punishment is excessive and improperly based on allegations for which he was acquitted.
In the appeal, Diddy’ legal team said that although a jury cleared him of serious federal charges including sex trafficking and racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, he still received a sentence significantly higher than what is typically imposed for the offences on which he was convicted.
The rapper was ultimately found guilty on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution under the Mann Actfollowing a trial that lasted about two months.
In July, Arun Subramanian, a judge of the United States District Court, sentenced Diddy to 50 months in prison.
However, the defence team argues that the punishment is disproportionate and described the ruling in court filings as “a perversion of justice.”
According to the appeal, the judge relied on what is known as “acquitted conduct” sentencing — a legal practice where courts consider allegations that a jury rejected when determining a defendant’s punishment.
Combs’ lawyers contend that the sentencing decision was improperly influenced by charges the jury had already dismissed, claiming the judge effectively acted as “a thirteenth juror.”
The legal team is now asking the appellate court to overturn the sentence and intervene in the case.
They requested that the court “order Mr. Combs’ immediate release and grant a judgment of acquittal or at least vacate and remand for resentencing.”
The appeal places the case before a higher court, which will decide whether the sentencing process was conducted properly or if the punishment should be reduced or reconsidered.
