SEAN “Diddy” Combs won’t walk free after his sentencing hearing today as the judge will take into account “relevant conduct” the music mogul admitted to in open court, a legal expert has said.
Three months after being convicted of two prostitution-related charges in his federal trial, Combs will learn his punishment when a judge hands down his sentence.
After being acquitted of the most serious charges, racketeering and sex trafficking, Combs’ final attempt to have his conviction overturned was quashed by Judge Arun Subramanian.
Judge Subramanian rejected Combs’ request for a new trial, arguing the prosecution provided “overwhelming evidence” of the Bad Boy Records founder’s guilt on the prostitution charges.
Federal prosecutors are seeking an 11-year sentence, citing Combs’ history of physical and mental abuse of his ex-girlfriends and employees who took the stand against him.
However, Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in Combs’ trial, said the prosecution’s request seems to be a “bit like piling on the sour grapes” after they botched their case.
“I think he’s going to get four years and basically closer to five years, if you wanted a specific number,” Rahmani, the co-founder of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told The U.S. Sun.
“I don’t think he’s going to get anywhere near the 11 years the government is recommending. That’s more than the statutory max on one of the Mann Act violations.
“Theoretically, the judge could run the sentences consecutively, back to back, but it’s highly unlikely. They rarely do that.
“Similarly, I don’t think there’s any world where Diddy gets time served – the 14 months the defense is recommending.
“If the judge was going to do that, he would have released him on bond after he was acquitted of the more serious counts, the sex trafficking and the racketeering.”
Rahmani added, “So, you got probation [board], who’s a neutral party, who’s coming in at 70 months [recommendation], that seems more reasonable.
“Even the government itself, they said four to five years when they initially opposed bond immediately after the verdict.
“That was some back of the napkin calculations of the sentencing guidelines, but coming back significantly higher now seems a bit like piling on the sour grapes when you essentially lost.”
‘I LOST MY WAY’
Ahead of sentencing, Combs’ defense team disclosed his letter to Judge Subramanian, where he asked the judge for “mercy” and to make him an example of “what a person can do if afforded a second chance.”
“I lost my way. I got lost in my journey. Lost in the drugs and excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness,” Combs penned in the letter obtained by The U.S. Sun.
“I have been humbled and broken to my core. Jail is designed to break you mentally, physically and spiritually.
“Over the past year there have been so many times that I wanted to give up. There have been some days I thought I would be better off dead.
“The old me died in jail and a new version of me was born. Prison will change you or kill you – I choose to live.”
“I can’t change the past, but I can change the future. I know God put me here to transform me.
“Since incarceration, I have gone through a spiritual reset. I’m on a journey that will take time and hard work. I’m proud to say I’m working harder than I ever have before.
“I’m committed to the journey of remaining a drug free, non-violent and peaceful person. I thank God that I’m stronger, wiser, clean, clear and sober. God makes no mistakes.
“I realize that this trial has received a tremendous amount of global press and Your Honor may be inclined to make an example out of me.
“I would ask Your Honor to make me an example of what a person can do if afforded a second chance.
“If you allow me to go home to my family, I promise I will not let you down and I will make you proud.
“I ask you for mercy today, not only for my sake, but for the sake of my children.”
Combs’ legal team previously filed several other letters of support to the judge from the Bad Boy Records executive’s family members, close associates, ex-girlfriends, and fellow inmates who are incarcerated with him at the federal lockup in Brooklyn.
Sean Combs watches as his former girlfriend Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura testifies at his federal trial on May 13[/caption]
‘RELEVANT CONDUCT’
But despite the dozens of letters from supporters advocating for his release, Rahmani believes the judge will take into account “other relevant conduct.”
“No one really gets prosecuted for just prostitution by the feds. Anyone that does doesn’t get more than a year in prison, but it’s just me reading the tea leaves a bit again,” Rahmani told The U.S. Sun.
“The fact that he was so quick to deny the bond, the fact that he didn’t seem particularly happy with the verdict.
“I’m not saying that he’s an advocate or he cared for one side or the other, but I think he’s going to take into account the other relevant conduct, not the acquitted conduct, but the other relevant conduct, like the violence and the drugs.
“And he’s going to give him some time, and I don’t think he’s going to want to come across as soft.”
Throughout the eight-week trial, Combs’ defense team told the jury that their client acknowledged his drug addiction and history of domestic violence.
“You know, jurors love celebrities in this country, and celebrities do well at trial,” Rahmani added.
“But the whole world is watching, and I don’t think Subramanian’s going to stick his neck out to give Diddy a break when the government and probation are asking for much more than time served.”
Lisa Bloom, an attorney representing two alleged victims who are suing Combs in civil court, said her clients are “fearful and concerned” about the upcoming sentencing.
“We agree with the prosecution that a significant sentence is warranted, given the harrowing and disturbing trial testimony about Mr. Combs’ use of violence,” Bloom told The U.S. Sun about her clients – a man identified only as John Doe and singer Dawn Richard, who testified at Combs’ trial.
“We will be watching closely tomorrow and pray that justice will be done.”
