Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs faces an escalating legal challenge as prosecutors now anticipate a significantly lengthier prison sentence than initially projected, alongside their strong opposition to his request for release on a substantial $50 million bail.
This critical development unfolded in a Manhattan federal court submission, where prosecutors argued against Combs’ plea for acquittal or a new trial, despite his sentencing being scheduled for October 3rd. The legal landscape for the celebrity has demonstrably shifted since earlier assessments.
Combs, 55, was previously acquitted of more severe racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. However, he was convicted on two counts related to transportation to engage in prostitution, specifically for arranging travel for girlfriends and male sex workers for filmed sexual encounters.
Initially, following the verdict, prosecutors believed federal sentencing guidelines would recommend a prison term of four to five years. Yet, their recent filing asserts that the guidelines range “will be substantially higher,” citing an increased flight risk for the prominent figure.
Judge Arun Subramanian retains broad discretion in determining the final sentence, with the power to disregard non-mandatory guidelines. Conversely, Combs’ legal team contends that a proper calculation of the guidelines would suggest a sentence between 21 to 27 months.
The defense, led by Marc Agnifilo, has fiercely argued for Combs’ release, citing comparable cases where defendants received bail and highlighting severe conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where Combs has been detained since his September arrest.
Agnifilo also posited that Combs was being unfairly treated for a “swingers” lifestyle, involving consensual sexual encounters with his girlfriends and male sex workers. However, prosecutors counter that his conviction mandates pre-sentencing detention unless “exceptional circumstances” are proven, which they believe he has not demonstrated.
Furthermore, prosecutors maintain that Combs remains a danger to the community, a claim vehemently disputed by his defense. Agnifilo asserted that Combs would not be violent and would not jeopardize his children’s well-being after being granted a “second chance at life” by the jury’s partial acquittal.
The prosecution also dismissed defense comparisons to other bail cases, emphasizing the unique nature of Combs’ prostitution conviction, particularly citing a “propensity for violence” as a key differentiator in their argument for his continued incarceration.
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