Diddy Denied New Trial or Acquittal Days Before Sentencing in Federal Case

In a significant pre-sentencing development, the court has rejected a motion from Sean "Diddy" Combs that sought either a full acquittal or a new trial. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian delivered the ruling on Tuesday, dismissing the defense's arguments as unconvincing and clarifying that neither legal outcome was justified.

The defense had contended that video evidence depicting Combs with male escorts constituted amateur pornography and was therefore protected by the First Amendment. They also asserted that combining his Mann Act charges—which involve transporting individuals for prostitution—with the more severe RICO and sex trafficking counts unfairly prejudiced the jury. However, Judge Subramanian found that Combs did not meet the "heavy burden" required to demonstrate such prejudice, particularly since the jury had already cleared him of the primary RICO and sex trafficking charges. The judge emphasized that "the government proved its case many times over," and the partial acquittal further undermined the bias claim, leading to the conclusion that "a new trial is not warranted." This reflects the high legal bar for overturning a jury verdict, a principle deeply embedded in the U.S. judicial system. As one legal scholar noted, "Appellate courts grant new trials sparingly, typically reserving them for instances of clear procedural error or newly discovered, decisive evidence."

The sentencing process has grown increasingly adversarial. Prosecutors recently submitted a 164-page memorandum advocating for a prison term of at least 11 years, describing Combs as "unrepentant" and insisting the sentence reflect the seriousness of his actions. This marks a sharp increase from their original recommendation of four to five years. In contrast, Combs' defense argues that any sentence exceeding 14 months would be excessive, pointing to the substantial personal and professional fallout he has already faced. Their filing included character references from his former partner, rapper Yung Miami, acclaimed producer Dallas Austin—renowned for crafting hits for TLC and Madonna—and incarcerated individuals who participated in Combs' "Free Game" inmate mentorship initiative.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, the powerhouse music mogul who founded Bad Boy Records—a label that shaped the sound of 1990s hip-hop and R&B with acts like The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, and Mase—was convicted in July on two counts of transportation for prostitution. While he was found not guilty on the more severe racketeering and sex trafficking charges, he still confronts a potential maximum sentence of 20 years. The court's refusal to grant a retrial, combined with the prosecution's forceful sentencing push, suggests a strong probability of a lengthy prison term. This case underscores how high-profile convictions can influence public perception of justice, especially when involving figures who once held immense cultural sway. As one court analyst remarked, "When a judge highlights the strength of the prosecution's evidence and the defendant's apparent lack of remorse, it frequently foreshadows a sentence near the upper limit, intended to serve as a stark deterrent."