A federal appeals court panel raised concerns about the length of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ approximately four-year prison sentence for prostitution-related charges during oral arguments on Thursday. The judges from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan did not make an immediate decision following a two-hour session.
Circuit Judge William J. Nardini described the case as “exceptionally difficult,” posing novel questions not only for their court but for federal courts nationwide. Throughout the hearing, there were discussions on whether the sentencing judge had improperly factored in acquitted charges when determining Combs’ prison term, which his lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, argued was the lengthiest ever for such charges and his criminal background.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik countered Shapiro’s assertion, stating that the four-year, two-month sentence given to Combs fell below federal sentencing guidelines and aligned with similar cases in the 2nd Circuit. Combs, currently serving his sentence in a federal prison in New Jersey, is contesting his conviction and the duration of his imprisonment.
In October, Judge Arun Subramanian, who sentenced Combs, emphasized that the punishment was for the offenses he was convicted of, not those he was acquitted on. The judge cited legal provisions allowing consideration of the nature of the offense and the defendant’s characteristics without restrictions.
During the recent court proceedings, Shapiro urged the appeals panel to reach a prompt decision. Combs, aged 56, has been incarcerated since his arrest in September 2024 and is set for release in April 2028. His legal team is advocating for a reversal of his conviction or a reduced sentence.
While Combs’s attorneys did not delve into the argument that his conviction should be overturned on First Amendment grounds related to his intimate relationships, they did challenge the court’s consideration of evidence rejected by the jury when acquitting Combs of the most serious charges.
Combs’ trial last year shed light on his private life, revealing unsettling details about drugs, violence, and sexual activities described as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.” Although Combs did not testify, his defense acknowledged his potential for violence while contending that prosecutors were stretching to criminalize his personal conduct.