Diddy Urgently Seeks Freedom in Latest Appeal Hearing

(NewsNation) — Attorneys representing the fallen music icon Sean “Diddy” Combs returned to federal court on Thursday, seeking to overturn his federal prison sentence stemming from a prostitution conviction handed down last October.

His legal team has labeled the 50-month sentence as a “travesty of justice,” voicing their disapproval of the trial judge’s decisions in recent court documents. They presented their arguments before a panel of three judges, though Combs was not present.

Defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro contended that judges should not factor in conduct related to charges for which a defendant has been acquitted when determining a sentence, according to a report from Reuters.

“This case raises significant questions about the sanctity of jury verdicts and the public’s trust in our criminal justice system,” Shapiro stated to the appellate court judges.

The defense’s appeal highlights that Combs’ sentence for facilitating prostitution under the Mann Act is approximately four times the usual punishment for similar offenses.

The charge carries a maximum of 10 years per count. Combs was convicted on two counts but acquitted of the higher charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

In court filings, his attorneys had said Judge Arun Subramanian improperly relied on “acquitted conduct,” which refers to the practice in which a judge takes into account behavior associated with charges a defendant was acquitted of, the outlet reported.

Combs’ team has demanded “immediate release and grant a judgment of acquittal or at least vacate and remand for resentencing.”

How does the appeals hearing work? 

Combs’ defense attorney goes first, presenting oral arguments before the court. The arguments have to focus on alleged legal errors, rather than new evidence.

After the defense, New York prosecutors respond. Each side has 10 minutes to present, according to court filings.

What have Diddy’s lawyers argued? 

Combs’ lawyers argued that his conviction should be overturned or that he should at least be released and resentenced to a shorter term.

Defense attorneys said in filings that Combs’ recordings of sexual encounters involving his girlfriends and male sex workers amounted to “amateur pornography” protected under the First Amendment. They also argue the term “prostitution” should be interpreted narrowly and should not apply to what they describe as voyeuristic and expressive conduct.

They say Combs’ sentence was excessive, and that Subramanian improperly increased it based on findings that the crimes involved fraud and coercion and that Combs acted as a leader or organizer of criminal activity.

When is Diddy scheduled to be released?

Combs is currently scheduled to be released on April 25, 2028, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

Since his conviction, his team has repeatedly challenged the severity of the sentence. Combs’ monthslong trial drew intense attention, focusing on allegations of human trafficking and prostitution.

At sentencing, Subramanian said the punishment would mean “hard time in prison, away from your family, friends and community,” but added that Combs “will have a life afterward.”

“Mr. Combs, you’re being sentenced for the offenses of conviction, not the crimes he was acquitted of. However, under law, the court ‘shall consider’ the nature of the offense and characteristics of the defendant,” he added.

Where is Diddy serving his prison time?

Combs was transferred to a low-security federal prison in Fort Dix, New Jersey, last year.

He was moved from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he had been housed since his 2024 arrest and conviction for prostitution-related charges late last month.

His defense team had long argued that conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn were unsafe and that he needed to be moved to a lower-risk facility. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.