The judge refused to bail for Sean “Diddy” Combs hours after being convicted of a prostitution-related offence, but found him acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and assault charges that could have allowed him to be behind his life.
Judge Arun Subramanian said the applicable law did not allow Combs’ release at this time. Among other reasons, the judge pointed to Combs’ violent history. “In trial, the defense acknowledged the violence in the accused’s personal relationship and said it happened with Cathy and Jane.”
The judge said Combs, for now, did not meet the burden of showing “a lack of danger to people and communities” through clear and compelling evidence.
Subramanian said the rage displayed by Combs in a 2016 hotel video was impossible to release police and it was impossible for Combs to show that they were not at risk to the community.
As the judge said, Combs left his head bowed with his hands on his lap. It marked a harsh juxtaposition from an elevated response after the verdict was read earlier in the day.
During the bond decision, Combs snapped his head towards his lawyer Mark Agnifilo and wrote a few notes as the lawyer said. Finally, Combs raised his hand and waved to get the judge’s attention. However, he did not speak after consulting with Agnifilo.
The judge set the sentencing date proposed on October 3, noting that Combs will receive credit for the 10 months he has served in prison so far. Combs’ lawyers said he would likely face about two years in prison under the guidelines of a federal sentencing. Prosecutors said the guidelines would require at least four to five years, citing Combs’ violence and other factors.
The next court hearing was virtual and scheduled for 2pm on Tuesday. Both the prosecutor and the defense said they will work to promote the verdict.
The mixed results came on Wednesday on the third day of deliberation. The 55-year-old comb can be sent to prison for 20 years, potentially ending his career as a hit-making music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality television star. The foreperson confirmed that the verdict reached was unanimous.
The mixed verdict concluded the troubling legal odyssey that shattered Combs’ familiar “Puff Daddy” image and derailed his career as a Grammy Award-winning artist and music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality television star.
Eventually leaving the courtroom, he paused to deal with a relative stuffed in a row of wooden benches who supported him throughout the eight-week trial.
“We’ll see you when you go out,” Combs said he’ll return to prison to his mother, including his children, just before he leaves court. “We’re going to get through this.”
In the afternoon, a large number of supporters gathered outside the courthouse. He saw a shirtless man dancing, followed by a woman in a bikini who had drizzled baby oil over her. It seemed a bit confusing as Combs’ mother, Janice, returned to courtroom, where he blew a kiss and waving lunch break.
Agnifilo called the verdict a “big victory” and called the ry umpire “the situation is right, or certainly correct enough.”
“Today is all victory victory,” Agnifilo said after the ju umpire cleaned up the client on three charges, two of which had mandatory 15 years and the largest lifespan. “We’re going to fight and win…and we’re not going to stop until he leaves his family with a free man out of prison.”
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors acknowledged tensions over the case.
“Sexual crimes seriously hurt victims, and the disturbing reality is that sexual crimes are too present in many aspects of our society. Victims endure physical and mental abuse that damage the gut, leading to lasting trauma, Ricky J. Patel said in a joint statement.
Comb cleaned up the most serious counts of two convicted
Combs was convicted of flying people across the country, including his girlfriend and paid male sex workers.
However, the eight men and four female ju-degree judges have been acquitted of shaking conspiracy and sex trafficking charges in connection with allegations of using his money, power and horrifying physical power to manipulate his girlfriend into a sex marathon of men and hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons.
Combs and his defense team argued that the woman was willing to participate, and that none of his violence justified the harshness of the accusation.
Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted Wednesday for two counts of violating Mann’s law. The celebrity was acquitted for three charges including assault and sex trafficking.
After the verdict was read, the judges directed the ju-degree on talking to the media, the public and others about the case.
Combs continued to pump his right fist subtly, appearing to be content to have him not been guilty of the most serious crime.
Combs, 55, has been at the back of the bar since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the most serious count acquittal changed the legal situation sufficiently as he should be released on bail.
He seemed overwhelmed as the court was postponed for at least a few hours. He wiped his face, turned to his chair and kneeled, his head bowing in prayer. In the audience, his relatives rose to their feet and applauded.
“I’ll be home soon,” he said, and “I love you, baby.”
“I love you, mom,” he added.
His relatives praised him and his lawyers when he was led out of court.
Combs has been behind the bar since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the most serious count acquittal changed the legal situation sufficiently as he should be released on bail.
The verdict follows weeks of tragic testimony
The ju judges deliberated for approximately 13 hours over three days before announcing the verdict. After they said late Tuesday, they decided on four counts but said they were stuck on the assaulted ones. At that point, the judge told them to continue deliberation and keep the partial verdict rapping.
Combs did not testify at his trial. This featured a video of a rapper attacking 34 witnesses and an ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie.
Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdoll, said in a statement after the verdict, “By moving forward with her experience, Cathy has left an indelible mark in both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”
He then asked the judge in a letter denying Combs’ bail, saying, “Ventura believes that Combs is likely to pose a risk to the victims and the community who testified in the case, including himself.”
Cathy testified for four days on the 11-year turbulent relationship with Combs, which began after she signed with his bad boy record label.
Cathy said Combs was hooked on a voyeur meet arranged with the help of his sex worker and his staff with plenty of baby oil. During a sexual event called “freak-off” or “hotel night,” Combs ordered Cathy to do things with other men she felt humiliated, she testified.
She said he would beat her when things didn’t turn into comb-style.
“I’m not a rag doll. I’m someone’s child,” Kathy told Combs in 2016 after dragging her into the hotel hallway.
Another ex-girlfriend testified under the pseudonym “Jane” and told the ju umpire that she repeatedly told Combs that she didn’t want to have sex with the man she was hired for their ordeal.
“I’m not an animal. I need a break,” she said. Nevertheless, she said that part of his paying her rent felt it was “obligation” to follow his demands.
Defense calls cases a privacy invasion
Rapper Kid Cudy, the most famous witness at the trial, said Combs broke into his home in late 2011 after learning that he and Kathy were dating. After his car was bombed a few weeks later, Coody is his real name, Scott Mescudi – said he knows that Combs has “work to do” it. The comb denied it.
Combs’ defense team acknowledged that he could be violent, but prosecutors claimed he was invading his personal life. Defence counsel Mark Agnifilo said in closing remarks to the ju judge that it is not illegal to make “homemade porn” with your girlfriend.
“They enter the man’s bedroom. They go to the man’s most private life. Where is the crime scene?” Agnifilo said.
Jane described the violence — like the night Combs choked her, punching her face, leaving Welt’s dark eyes, and when she resisted meeting a sex worker — she admitted, in the witness’s position, that her feelings were complicated.
She testified that she still loves Comb and planned to meet him in New York for her last “hotel night” when she was arrested last September.
The AP is not usually for anyone who says they are sexually abused unless they move forward publicly, as Cathy has.
Rapper, entrepreneur, criminal defendant
Combs was at the heart of the East Coast Coast hip hop battle in the 1990s, becoming one of the most influential hip hop producers and executives of the past 30 years, diversifying interests with Sean John fashion label Ciroc Vodka, cable TV channels and film and television studios.
With his Prosege Biggie Smalls, along with the infamous Big Smalls, who was shot and killed in 1997, Combs worked with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Ausher, and Lil Kim.
In 2001, Combs was at the heart of one of the biggest hip-hop trials of the era, attributed to the shooting of a Manhattan nightclub that injured three people in 1999.
His career recovered quickly at that time.
Combs’ reputation could have been irreparable after Cassie sued him in November 2023, alleging years of sexual and physical abuse. He settled down at $20 million the following day, but more lawsuits continued by other women and men.
Most are still pending.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Assault Resource Centre and the National Sexual Assault Phone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
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