Sean “Diddy” Combs’s attorneys have filed an appeal arguing that the music mogul’s conviction on prostitution-related charges was unjust.
Combs was found guilty on two counts of prostitution-related charges and sentenced to 50 months in prison following an eight-week trial in New York earlier this year. Combs was also acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.
The court heard weeks of testimony from his ex-girlfriends and former associates detailing alleged abuse. Several witnesses also described Combs’s drug-fueled sex marathons, referred to as “freak-offs.”
In an 84-page court filing, Combs’s attorneys have claimed he was unjustly prosecuted over sex between consenting adults, according to The New York Times.
Combs’s legal team goes on to accuse Judge Arun Subramanian of making his own determination that women had been “coerced,” “exploited,” and “forced,” into sex, which they said the jury did not find, the outlet reports.
“He sits in prison today, serving a 50-month sentence, because the district judge acted as a thirteenth juror,” his lawyers wrote.
Subramanian scolded Combs before handing down his sentence during an October hearing.
“A history of good works can’t wash away the record in this case. You abused these women. You used that abuse to get your way, freakoffs and hotel nights,” Subramanian said.
“The evidence of the abuse is massive.The drugs may have exacerbated your erratic and violent behavior over the years. However, the court has to consider all of your history here,” he added.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
